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Screams when I won't let him walk

TimB
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My nine month old wants to walk all of the time. He still needs someone to hold one hand and will sit down as soon as I let go. He then starts screaming. If I'm holding him in a store, he squirms until I can barely hold him anymore. If I let him walk, he will start screaming when I pick him up. Has anyone else had to deal with this and if so, what did you do about the screaming. I think he's still too young (9 months) to understand that I don't want him to do this. Also, since he's as big and as tall as most two year olds, I get a lot of unapproving looks when he throws one of his tantrums. I usually just think "scew you" when people frown at me when he's acting up but I would like to get some control over the situation.

Thanks, Tim


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Submitted by TimB on Fri, 08/08/2008 - 2:59pm.

ticktock
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...

You have at least four more months of this (if not more). I'm currently in the middle of it.

My only advice is not to let him walk at all when you're at the store. Even a taste of toddling will make him want more. Keep him restrained... until you have a good place to practice where you can give him tantrum-free patient attention like at a park.

Oh, and stay in more.
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Fri, 08/08/2008 - 3:55pm

Gaming with Baby
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Couple of thoughts

One, why worry about others' looks? To hell with them. They've got their problems, you've got yours.
Two, why stop him? You can't hold back the floodgate for long. My daughter was walking unassisted at nine months, my son is only now walking at 16 months. Just let him do his thing. Buy him a push along walker. We're partial to this one. Butters loves his. And the sooner you get him walking, the sooner you can do what I did with Mac, let her push the cart at the grocery. Make them kids work for their supper!

-Will
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Fri, 08/08/2008 - 3:59pm

mikeSAHD
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I always get a chuckle from GWB!

I agree. Let him walk. He needs lots of practice before he masters this skill. However, I understand that sometimes, no matter what, you have to keep him restrained in the stroller, backpack carrier, your arms or a shopping cart. When this is the case, don't give in. My son never really threw a fit, but he would start to lean forward, almost falling, indicating that he wanted to get down. I would just prop him right back up and say no.

Oh, and who cares what other people think. Children throw fits! If the fit gets too bad, remove yourselves from the situation.


Fri, 08/08/2008 - 4:56pm

LordSetta
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My 2 yr old.

My two yr old son kaidin didn't start walking till he was 19 months due to his dwarfism. Now that he is 2 and a half he thinks he should walk everywhere. When I am in the store I put him in the basket and he can walk around in there. That usually sedates his hunger to be free cause he has freedom in the cart but he is still under my watchfull eye.


Sun, 08/10/2008 - 8:14am

Electriclime
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Suggestion

Some rope, a skateboard, and lots of duct tape. Oh wait, we're trying to avoid the disapproving looks ;-)

Does he like being in a front or back carrier or have you tried this? Just a thought that maybe if his arms and legs are free he might be a little more accepting of not being on his feet. My daughter is only 15 weeks and already is on her way to standing. Since she is always kicking her legs around it has become difficult to keep her in her car seat or sling when shopping, so I picked up a Bjorn front carrier last weekend and have been taking her for walks. She seems to like the pseudo-mobility it provides.

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Sun, 08/10/2008 - 4:50pm

TimB
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I tried the push along

I tried the push along walker and he loves it. He let go this morning and took four or five steps and then sat on the living room floor and sceamed because he wanted to be on his feet. Putting him in the basket of the shopping cart probably won't work unless I don't put anything in it. He's at the stage where he loves to pick things up and drop them on the floor. He's weighs too much and is to tall for the front baby carrier and pulls out my hair or takes off my hat in the back carrier. I've started taking him for walks around the neighborhood while holding one hand so maybe that will help. Maybe he'll be able to start pushing the cart soon :)

Tim


Mon, 08/11/2008 - 1:29pm

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