Won't hold my hand while walking

[abmacca]

I am new at this but just about at my wits end. My 18 month old refuses to hold my hand at any time when walking. We can't even walk two steps. He shakes my hand away and if I persist he just drops to the ground screaming. If I then try to pick him up to carry him he continues to scream and wriggle because he wants to walk. Any tips please??????????

[bubbles28]

Hi there, WELCOME to bub hub!
Hopefully you get some great advice!

My DS is about the same age as your bub. He was doing the same thing.
Then I just put my foot down and said to him that if he doesn't hold my hand he would go back in the pram.
After several times of doing this he learnt that if he wasn't going to hold my hand that he would end up back in the pram.
So now he holds my hand.
It's all about perserverence.
If that doesn't work for you, you could try one of those harness things. That way he can't run away and has to stay near you.
Good luck

[jamb]

Hi and welcome.

I also have a strongwilled 18 month old who just does not want to hold my hand either.

I always give him the option- hold my hand or i will carry you/have to get in pram/or go home. I then follow through......and yes occasionally get whacked by flailing arms/legs/head etc.

I'm probably a bit lucky as we dont have many roads so I only have to enforce when we are crossing but I agree consistency helps.

Good luck

[Chickadee]

As an alternative you could see if he would hold onto the side of the pram instead. My DD is happy with this when we're out, particularly at shopping malls. Or you could pick a short scarf or something for him to hold, with you holding the other end. The disadvantage with both of these is that you don't physically have control of him, and they're not so good if he's prone to running off. But they're useful at places where there is no immediate danger. You still need to enforce the rule that he holds on or goes back into the pram.

[jessgray]

my ds is 17 months old next week and he wont hold my hand lol he prefers to walk by himself. he walks to daycare on wednesday and fridays ia m considering getting him a car that has a handle on it so i can control where he drives. so he can "drive" to daycare instead of walking off from me lol

[FourAngelKisses]

My DS2 was like this at around the same age. I got him a harness thingy and a week later, he started to hold my hand again as he didn't like the harness.

[tickle]

I agree with Martha. My DS was much more resistant to holding my hand than holding onto the pram. And consistency is definately the key. DS now holds on everywhere we go as he knows that he will go straight back into the pram if he doesn't hold on. :D

[Briannabear]

Oh I feel your frustration!! We are battling with this at the moment too. I must admit she gets better with it every day, but she is very strong willed and it doesnt last for long.
Definately be persistant and consistant. Good luck!

[FiveInTheBed]

DS went through and is still going through the Mr Indepent stage,
I bought a gorgeous monkey harness from the bumpto3 web site it looks like a back pack and you hold on to his tail! DS loves it he walks for about a block (maybe 1/2 a block) when we walk the dogs , and he 'helps' hold on to one of their leads.
There are plenty of times when he most definately must hold my hand, crossing road, carpark, shopping centre etc, and like the other girls on here have said he has the option of holding hands or the pram. The thing is i'm 23weeks with twins and DS bloody heavy so i'd prefer him to walk, and know how to behave walking so I don't have to pick him up all the time.

[Little Gorilla]

my bub was exactly like yours.......until we got him a "woo woo backpack" (well that's what he calls it)

you get them from babies galore. they are either a little dog or monkey that is a backpack but the tail is a little lead that you hold onto

i had always said there is no one I would put a lead onto my child - however this is a bit different because he wants to wear it

we are now to the point where he has the backback and I hold the lead in my hand however, he WANTS me to hold his hand at the same time - it just means that if he does do the bolt for something (like the road) he won't get far

plus they look sooooooooo cute in them