When your child won't sit in the pram/stroller?

[mum2bubba]

What do you do, when you are at the shops or wherever and you want your child to sit in the pram but they keep arching their back and won't sit down? I don't mind him walking for a bit, either holding my hand or with one of those harness thingys, but when I am in a hurry and have things to do it's quite frustrating. I can't bribe because he doesn't really understand. I stupidy took him out to go on one of those rides and it took 10 minutes of getting back in. And on top of that about 6 or 7 people all walked passed and stared at me/us because I was getting frustrated and started yelling at him. Noone bothered to help or hold the pram still for me.

So what do you do when that happens?? :hair:

[MsMummy]

I made sure I constantly left him in the pram at that age while out, or else he would want me to carry him and it was too much for my back and shoulders with him in the Ergo.

I found if he got a taste of freedom, he wanted out all the time. The consistency seemed to work. Sometimes you just don't have the time or the energy to let them out of the pram.

Although my partner is obviously a soft target, as whenever we go somewhere, it's always "daddy, carry, daddy, carry!".

[Turk EnJayDee]

I just ignore DD. She has this thing about throwing tantrums and doing the same thing in the pram. I just found that if I just put her in the pram and ignore her it stops.

Only took a few times for her to get it that I'm not paying her attention for things like that. She only squirms/cries for maybe a minute now. Then gives up.

Good luck!

[mum2bubba]

He can get out of the straps too even though they are tight. Might need to get something for that. I tried carrying him adn push the pram but it was quite difficult.

[AndrewTheEmu]

I never get DD out of the pram (or put her down if I'm carring her) unless she's allowed to roam free/half atleast 30mins play.

How olds your son? DD is 14 months so I can coax her back into the pram with her cuddle toy or a snack.

I have once witnessed a tiny mum using both hands and a foot to strap her monsterous screaming 2 yr old into his pram. It's not ideal but it happens to most of us at some stage.

[grumpybump]

DS never goes in the pram anymore. He is 23 months. When at the shops I let him hold my hand/run ahead for the first 20 mins or so & then, with plenty of warning, pop him in a trolley to do the shopping.

I find that if he has a chance to run off some energy then he is more willing to get in the trolley. But he is a very easygoing kid.

I'll use the trolley even if I'm not doing the food shopping - even if it's the post office or whatever. He likes being up high I think.

[calin]

DS does this all the time! I have a rule that he's allowed to walk when I say that it's ok, but when I tell him that he has to get back in the pram, then that's it. No ifs and no buts. Sometimes he will get back into the pram with a little coaxing, but otherwise it's a full on tantrum with the back arching and yelling out that he wants to walk. I just force him in as best as I can (read two hands and a foot holding him down lol) and ignore the rest. He's usually over it within a few minutes and will start talking to me again. You've got to love 2 year olds! :rolleyes:

[Boobycino]

If I needed Jasper in the pram I'd get his harness, put it on him unbuckled, put him in the pram, buckle the pram and then thread the harness straps through the pram straps and do them up.

That was literally the only way to keep him in the pram.

With offers of drinks, snacks, toys, drawing paper etc etc etc

[jazzybaby]

My DD is nearly 2. She's beginning to now understand when i say things to her like 'I need you to sit in the pram because we are going into a busy shop' etc. Its taken a whole for her to understand though. She used to arch her back too. But i just persisted. Go to a spot where its not busy with people staring at you, put the pram brake on and be firm and persistent.

[MyCheekyMonkey]

I'm one of those mums who looks mega stressed and uses two arms/hands and a leg to try and get her back in! Otherwise, if there's one near by, I pop DD in a trolley and fold up the stroller & throw it in there too.

[selflessparenting]

In this situation I would most definitely:

1. Teach your child to trust that each time he goes in the pram you will be telling him when will be the next time he can get out of the pram and that you'll keep your promise without fail.

2. Start with small steps around the neighbourhood. In the pram for one street, out of the pram for one street, in the pram...and out, always verbally explain what is happening.

3. Empathise with your child's lack of understanding, reassure your child that you will do the above and without fail follow through calmly.

*this is my humble opinion based on the information provided and is given without conducting a complete assessment of the caregiver and child*

[Seacretsquirrel]

I have the same battle with DS (2.5) I find that if I insist they are in the pram from the get go - I tell both DS and DD (4.5) that wee are going tinto a busy shop/place and I need them to be safe in the pram where I can see them and know they are safe. And then if they are behaving well and I am done with my errands/shopping or whatever and I have the time we will have a play in the playground/park/one of those ride things or if I have the $$$ a "coffee"
I find that with the expectations set early - ie before we even get out of the car - helps heaps adn then I just ignore any looks and strap him in and then ignore the complaining (and depending on where we are some bribery might be used too)