Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Sponsored threads

This topic is for sponsored discussions. If you'd like to run one with us, please email [email protected].

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

NOW CLOSED Tell Clarks about your child's first steps and be in with a chance of winning a £100 voucher

250 replies

AlexMumsnet · 20/03/2013 15:32

Clarks have just released their latest First Shoes range here and to coincide they would love to hear about your DCs first steps.

So what do you remember about your child(ren)s first attempts to negotiate the world on two feet?

~ How old were they?

~ Do you remember where you were at the time?

~ Did they take time to adjust, or were they keen to get a move on?

~ How did it feel? Were you overjoyed or just slightly terrified at how quickly they were growing up and what they could now get up to!?

Everyone who shares their thoughts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw, where one MNer will win a £100 Clarks voucher.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

OP posts:
TheProvincialLady · 23/03/2013 10:29

Both my boys were on the slightly later side of bang on average - maybe 15 months (though they had looked like they might be ready earlier). I was surprised at DS2 taking a bit longer because he was a very physical baby who crawled and cruised very early indeed. Maybe that was why. They were both at home when they took their first steps - which reflects my lifestyle at the time, probably! Neither of them took to walking particularly quickly once they had taken the first steps. They both took a couple of weeks at least to see the advantages! I was pleased with both of them because I am a born worrier and it proved they could do it.

ThePortlyPinUp · 23/03/2013 11:13

DD1 was 16 months before she would even put her feet on the floor, the hv was concerned but it turned out that she just couldn't be bothered to try and walk when she had a mum who would fetch and carry for her! DD's 2,3 & 4 were all around 13 months when they walked, they all had tiny feet so had to have startrite shoes as they offered a hard sole in a size 2.

With dd1 we were desperate for her to walk, with the others we were reluctant as we knew how much devastation they can create as soon as they can walk and evade capture Grin

Leafmould · 23/03/2013 11:15

My oldest dd walked at 13 months.... I was so excited! It was a couple of weeks befor we took her on her first walk outside to the library (sigh, it was just a few hundred metres down the road then). That was a big event for me as a mother. . . .

I was so naive about footwear though, I thought they didn't need shoes until they walked, and dropped her off at nursery providing her with slippers, but they soon put me right, and I had to go and do the whole shoe fitting business. I still have her first shoes...sentimental silly that I am...

HolidayArmadillo · 23/03/2013 11:34

DD took her first steps on her first birthday. We happened to be recording her with a camcorder opening her presents and she just turned and walked towards the camera. We were really shocked as although she had been cruising for a while she hadn't really attempted to take any unaided steps. I must dig out the footage actually as you can just hear mine and DH's excitement!!

helcrai · 23/03/2013 11:39

DD1 was around 14 months when she finally let go of my hand to walk by herself. It was lovely as it was the classic "walk to daddy" with his arms held out to her and she did! It was a cold, snowy December day so all Christmassy in front of the fire in our living room. Not surprisingly I cried! Brings a lump to my throat now when I think back- it was the first important milestone of my baby growing up and becoming independent. Once she'd started there was no stopping her-nowhere was impossible to get to as far as she was concerned! A sign of the strong-will she has that is very much evident 6 years later.

AngelDog · 23/03/2013 12:09

DS1 was 14 months old.

We were having lunch with friends and DS1 lurched from one side of their front room to the other. He was really chuffed with himself.

It was only 5 days since he had first learnt to walk whilst holding onto someone's hand.

I was pleased that he had got going, but a bit sad that my baby was getting bigger.

He loved pottering around for the next month or so, but after that decided that walking more than a very short way was a real hassle - and still thinks so at age 3.

CoolBananas · 23/03/2013 12:16

DS was 15 months and we were at a toddler time session at the library. He just got up and started toddling around, it looked really normal so no one batted an eyelid where as I couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't want to make a scene so had to wait until that evening for DH to get home and make DS do it again. Luckily he obliged and we've got some videos of him from that evening squeeling with delight with his new found skill. We were over the moon, he was one of the last from his group to master it, but was very steady when he did take to walking so that was a bonus.

prettybird · 23/03/2013 12:25

Just remembered a great bit of advice I got from my best friend (who had 4 kids and worked full time outside the home): it doesn't matter if your child takes his/her step when you're not there. What matters is the first time YOU see your child taking their first step.

Happiestinwellybobs · 23/03/2013 16:01

DD took her first steps the day after her first birthday. I missed it! I was chatting away to DH who was welling up with tears - when I asked what was wrong, he told me that she had just walked. We had a wobbly start but within weeks she was toddling around. Now aged 23 months, she runs everywhere, chases the dog, and sounds like a small herd of elephants when she runs around upstairs.

She loves shoes or "foos" as she calls them. It was one of her very first word. She will happily sit for ages taking her shoes on and off - slightly frustrating when we are trying to get ready quickly, but very funny!

Reenypip · 23/03/2013 16:18

On the opening of the Olympic ceremony day, my boy at 15 months took his first steps across the living room. I managed to get a video and picture :-)
Was so pleased with the progress he was making. He knew he had accomplished it, he had the biggest grin on his face :-)

Tiggywunkle · 23/03/2013 16:33

When it comes to the first steps. I have two completely different children:

~ How old were they?
DD walked at 9 and a half months

~ Do you remember where you were at the time?
We were at home and she simply walked across the sitting room. Strangely we were getting her into her PJ's and so those first photos capture her half dressed!

~ Did they take time to adjust, or were they keen to get a move on?
There was no looking back then! She was toddling all over. But now aged 4, she wont walk any further than she has to!

~ How did it feel? Were you overjoyed or just slightly terrified at how quickly they were growing up and what they could now get up to!?
I was pleased she was walking because it meant I had to carry her less (bad back).

Meanwhile DS is 2 and a half and isn't walking yet. He's cruising along flat walls and tentatively starting to bridge gaps - so hopefully not long now.
It will be one heck of an amazing day when he finally takes his first steps and I CAN NOT WAIT!!! It will be emotional to say the least, and I will be so proud of him achieving something that for most children is fairly straightforward, but which has taken him so much effort.

StitchAteMySleep · 23/03/2013 16:38

Dd1 was cruising at 9.5 months she took her first steps at 11 months between our bed and her cot. Once she had done it once that was it. Every time she fell over she would get up and try again. Within two months she was walking on the reins outside for short distances.

Dd2 has recently started walking fully at 12.5 months. She was cruising at 8.5 months, but has taken a long time to get her confidence up. She took her first steps at 11 months in our living room, but would only take steps if holding something really interesting in both hands. We went to see her slightly older cousin who is 18 months recently and that precipitated this new found confidence. The evening we got home she walked across the room.

Both times I have been very excited, once they are walking trips to the park become so much fun.

beanandspud · 23/03/2013 16:46

DS was 16 months and it felt as if we had been waiting for ages for him to walk - he was a very contented bum-shuffler and was in no hurry to get up and go.

He took his first steps at the airport whilst waiting to board a flight - just got up and walked between the seats. Having now discovered that he could get around he wasn't at all happy to be strapped into a plane seat for the next few hours.

LadyApricot · 23/03/2013 17:23

10 months old and we were in the living room

  • I was filming her making funny faces and laughing when she stood up. I held her hands and while still filming I let go and she walked quite a few steps towards me. There is now a little video of me whooping and cheering and basically going nuts with excitement while she gave a huge gummy smile.
It was one of the loveliest things ever. I still watch that video and can't believe how much she's grown up since then.
LentilAsAnything · 23/03/2013 17:38

DS walked independently at nine months old. We caught it on video too, so I can treasure it forever when my old memory fades. I thought he'd probably walk early, as I myself did. He was keen to get moving. I was of course overjoyed, it's a lovely milestone.

lottieandmia · 23/03/2013 17:46

Dd1 was 14 months - she learned to walk slowly and gradually. Dd2 was 10 months - she was very keen to get moving and walked very well quickly. However, she was so small for her age that when I took her to get shoes for the first time the sales assistant asked me 'Are you sure she can walk yet?' dd3 was 18 months so quite late and we had helped her get there - she seemed to find it difficult.

gemma4d · 23/03/2013 18:10

DD1 walked the week before her first birthday - so she had something to show everyone who came round! I was overjoyed because she had been obsessed with walking holding both my hands since 8 months - my back was done for after 4 months of leaning over her!

DD2 was just 10 months and it was strange watching such a little baby walking! I had a total stranger stop me and say "it's just not right - she is too little to be walking" - I thought that was a little rude (did she expect me to tie her legs together so she couldn't walk?!) but at the same time I agreed - she looked far too small and fragile to be charging around!

Both started walking at home. DD1 was wobbly and prone to falling over (not that she let that stop her) but DD2 took to it better - or at least made less fuss when she fell over!

nicole5446 · 23/03/2013 18:11

~ How old were they?

My daughter was 11 months old when she began walking.

~ Do you remember where you were at the time?

We were in the living room on the carpet, and she was cruising around the furniture and I encouraged her to come walk to me and she made the 5 steps or so by herself!

~ Did they take time to adjust, or were they keen to get a move on?

It took a little time to go from cruising and crawling, but once she figured out she could walk, that's all she wanted to do!

~ How did it feel? Were you overjoyed or just slightly terrified at how quickly they were growing up and what they could now get up to!?

I was amazed at her abilities, and her enthusiasm! I was glad she was beginning to walk as she was frustrated before, not being able to move the way she wanted.

BoyMeetsWorld · 23/03/2013 18:26

DS took AGES to start walking, despite our best attempts. Plenty of playing "donkey with a carrot", trying to tempt him to take a few steps with a favourite toy or treat. He used to just pull himself up and stand there smirking as if he knew what he was meant to do but was playing with us. When he took his first steps, though, there was no stopping him....& then we soon wished we hadn't been so eager for him to start toddling about :p

katiewalters · 23/03/2013 18:31

My son was 10months old when he first took his first steps. We were at home and he just got up and walked a few steps. After that he would attempt more steps and walk to me and his dad, and he had one of those vtech walkers which he pushed around. He was walking propery just before his 1st birthday. Once he knew he could do it, he wuickly progressed and wanted to be on his feet. I was very proud, but at the same time scared, thinking we have to be even moe watchful now with him walking, as he could get into more things around the house, but it was summer when he started walking, so I looked forward to taking him on little walks

dilanddan · 23/03/2013 18:47

My little girl (8 mths) is not yet walking independently, but loves to run around the house in her walker (and lifting her legs up to "drift" across a room) and likes to be held under the arms to walk across a room, it really makes her smile and we can't wait until she takes her first few steps all by her self....
Congratulations to everyone little ones who have mastered their first steps :) x

ceebeegeebies · 23/03/2013 19:30

I can't remember DS1's other than he was 14 months (that is bad isn't it??)

I can remember DS2's clearly though - he was 18 months old, we thought it was never going to happen (but he had been a late smiler/crawler etc). We went on holiday to Centre Parcs and he just suddenly walked between the sofa and the table there Smile It was lovely as both me and DH (and DS1) were there to witness it and it was a good start to the holiday. From then, he was off and it was great as it was the start of him becoming a toddler. I wasn't nervous for him as he was more then ready to go.

Purplehonesty · 23/03/2013 20:27

My ds walked two days before his first birthday, it was like he wanted to be sure everyone would see him at his party!
He walked between the sofa and his ball pool and promptly fell in headfirst.
I was so proud and yet laughing my head off at the same time.
It didn't take him long to get the hang of it even though he tripped up a lot - I was terrified of him going downhill as he couldnt keep his balance for ages on a slope and would toddle off faster and faster then trip and fall.
It took him ages to learn to walk in wellies too he always fell over wearing them.
Now dd is 9 months and I have it to do all over again!

RunningKatie · 23/03/2013 20:42

My DD was 16 months when she started walking, she'd never crawled and was a seasoned (and speedy) bum-shuffler. She started to walk the week before we moved house, and away from all our antenatal friends.

I was thrilled to take her to her last playgroup session and for them to be agog watching her starting to toddle.

toomuchpink · 23/03/2013 20:54

DT1 pushed herself up from the floor and walked for the first time on the Saturday. DT2 pushed herself up from the floor and walked for the first time on the Sunday. They are different in virtually every other way but when it came to walking, they were almost united.