Walk with me

[pramanikm]

My 3 year old walks 10 feet behind me. I invite him to walk with me yet he is quite persistent. How can I encourage him to walk with me?

[woofgang]

would one of those wrist to wrist connectors be an idea in safe situations?

[lauralane]

That is perfectly normal I know many three olds that do that.

[lissyl78]

Try making it into a game maybe? Like asking him if he can step on your shadow or something. Then, he'll get used to walking close to you. Sometimes tricking a toddler into doing things is the only way to get them to do it!

[silly moo]

I'm with andy hughes on this one.
No games and no bribery - it is a safety issue.
Personally I hate wrist to wrist things - they are too long and child can still run into a road.
If your child throws a tantrum then maybe go back to old fashioned reins or even the pushchair.
A squashed child after meeting a moving car is not a pretty sight - and working in ED I've seen a few.

[lissyl78]

When I suggested making into a game I was talking about parks etc. I'm definitely with the other two when it comes to roads. Tell him to hold your hand and don't move until he does it. May take a while but worth it x

[mongos bird]

Get some reins!!!

[pramanikm]

Thank you for all of your suggestions. I have been using a combination of them and they seem to be working out well. I started with the shadow game, in non critical situations and turned that into just walking at his pace in non critical siuations. Now he seems to be starting to walk with me a little more. Of curse in critical situations, I explain to him that he either stays with me or I give him the old wrist clamp. Thank you again.

[dahnajeen]

I wish I had insisted that mine walk with me and hold my hand when he was a toddler.  He didn't want to, so I gave in and adjusted where and how fast I was walking to him - I even walked backward in front of him to keep an eye on him while he strolled along.  I think that was a mistake and gave him the wrong message about who is in charge.  I've seen other parents holding tightly to the hand of a child who does not want to be controlled.  The child eventually submits and the two walk peaceably and more safely together.  I believe in the long run that is the better course, because it is a symbol for other things, not just "how we walk from the car to the store."  The sooner you let them know you're in control the less trouble you're going to have later on.  If they don't have to walk beside you and hold your hand when they are 3, whey should they have to be home at the time you say when they are 15?

[mollymandy]

lots of praise