Walking?
I need tips from you other toddler parents out there. Alex isn’t walking yet. Well, actually, according to his pediatrician, he’s “walking just fine, he just hasn’t remembered to let go yet.” Meaning he’ll walk anywhere as long as he has someone or something to hold on to. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve never really been concerned about the “regular” milestones that most people are obsessed with. I’m a firm believer that Alex will develop at the pace he’s supposed to, and though I certainly do things to help him out (including playing, climbing at the park, reading, naming things, etc.), I am not the type that is going to push him into doing anything. His walking is no different. I don’t want to push him into it, because I honestly don’t need to, he’s already doing it. He uses push toys and goes all around the living room. I just need some ideas on how to get him so interested in something that he just forgets he must be holding on to a toy or a table.
Once he does, I think he’ll realize “hey, this walking thing is no big deal!”
March 20th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
With Little Princess, it just happened when she was ready. If he is walking holding on, then he is developing all the right muscles. Don’t worry, he will get there.
March 20th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Here’s an idea I’d read about:
Take a few chairs and space them out, placing a toy on each. Make sure each toy is just out of your little one’s reach (where he’d have to let go of one chair to reach the toy on the other). Start them at one end and wait for them at the other, giving them encouraging words all the way.
I agree that he’ll do it in his own time, but encouragement never hurts.
March 21st, 2007 at 7:01 am
Yup, he will let go sooner than you think you are ready for! And then he will fall and get right back up. It will be awesome.
And I tagged you!
http://www.parentingsites411.com/the-411-parenting-blogroll/
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Hi Jennifer,
I think you just have to wait and watch. My twins were slow too and one day they just started walking. They hardly crawl any more unless they want to giggle about walking on all fours!
Don’t worry.
TC,
Neel
March 26th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
I agree, it will come when your baby is ready. There are things you can do to advance it, like the chair/toy idea, but don’t push too hard.
April 5th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
We got Kari to leave the comfort of whatever she was holding by standing 2-3 steps away from her, squatting down and just opening our arms and calling her name for a bear hug. She got so excited that she just turned and forgot about holding on. Then she would just toddle back and forth between Terry and I, getting a hug each time. Be ready to catch Alex, though, he will wipe out a few times!!