https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:24:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh/page/2#post-2241773 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:57:55 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2241773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: I would just hold him for now. My almost 3 year old has also been going through a clingy phase. I know you are probably dealing with a more extreme form but given all the transitions in his life (and my dd has also had quite a few which I think is contributing to things on our end) I would just go with it for now. Maybe hold him and then once you get outside a little while try putting him down and keep trying but don't push him too hard. Once he gets a little more verbal (assuming he's working on English) you'll be able to reason with him that we walk to the park. I know this must be extremely frustrating but this too shall pass! You must be doing something right if he wants to be held! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241753 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:48:14 +0000 Maysprout 2241753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The best way I've heard new skills acquisition explained is through peaks and valleys. The valleys get smaller and the peaks get higher. Regressions are normal and often happen before big skills come along. You can resist it and make him walk but he's behaving completely normally. I agree with @looch that there's ways to help encourage him but I've found that just digging my heels in and not acknowledging that the kid is going through something just makes the valley deeper. </p> <p>It's great he's coming to you at the park. He needs a safe space to express his fears and be consoled. It might take some hand holding and more hand holding than you'd expect but he's also been through more than the average 2.5 year old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241568 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 08:55:30 +0000 autumnlove 2241568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 2 year loves being held in crowded places! Hold me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241562 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 08:50:36 +0000 looch 2241562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: I got that advice from a very experienced mom! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241501 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 07:39:14 +0000 Mamaof2 2241501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: it is a phase and I would just do what you feel comfortable doing. Sometimes I would carry them and sometimes I tell them they have to walk. Also if DH is there he would put them on his shoulders.</p> <p>My DD is almost 4.5 and still asks to be carried at times.</p> <p>Does he enjoy the park? Could you tell him that he needs to walk or you don't go? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241495 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 07:32:51 +0000 Greentea 2241495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: that's very good advice! "You have to help the rocks get back to the park," or whatever, I think that would go over well with DD! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241474 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 06:58:29 +0000 AggieDaze 2241474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with others that it's probably a phase. My son is 2 years and 2 months. Around 22 months he did this, then he stopped and wanted to do everything himself, and now he'll randomly do this again. </p> <p>For me, Ive tried to draw the line at asking nicely. If he says, mama - up please, then I'll typically pick him up. If he whines or cries at me, then he has to calm down and ask nicely before I'll scoop him up. I'm definitely trying to minimize the carrying though since im +5 months pregnant so I'll also try distraction, asking him if he can help me/show me/other words that tend to encourage him to do it himself. </p> <p>Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241468 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 06:36:39 +0000 looch 2241468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Something that works for us when my son doesn't want to do things is to give him a "job" to take the focus off the thing he doesn't want to do. Maybe approach it that way? I was thinking that you could maybe look do things on the way to your destination or maybe he could push a doll stroller? My son wheeled rocks around town in a doll stroller for months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241380 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 23:01:43 +0000 ALV91711 2241380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>"mama wants to carry you" says my 28 month all the time. No I don't but most of the time I will. </p> <p>I think it is a phase and if he isn't doing it at daycare I wouldn't be too worried. I don't blame you for not wanting to take the stroller for 1 block though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241345 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 21:34:09 +0000 daniellemybelle 2241345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally understand your concern that it could be a regression, but I would say that it is normal. You're the mom, so if you don't want to take the stroller, then stand your ground... but for me I wouldn't fight that battle!</p> <p>My issue is that I can't get LO to sit in a stroller for long OR walk! And the Ergo is not really working for us anymore. Sigh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241344 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 21:30:23 +0000 hummusgirl 2241344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hear you and went through the same frustration until I realized I had unrealistic expectations - my almost 3-yo will consistently walk about 1 block without asking to be carried. Any more than that and I take the stroller because it's just not worth the fight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241340 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 21:24:01 +0000 Greentea 2241340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: oh that sounds totally normal! My toddler and I "walk" to the park a mile everyday... which means I end up carrying her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241338 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 21:19:23 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 2241338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter has always loved to be held. At 2.5 she still wanted to be carried everywhere. She is willing to walk now (at 4.5!!!!), but still loves being carried if I let her. I think some of this stuff could just be temperament and they grow out of it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241292 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 20:31:13 +0000 iluvboba637 2241292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I still carry my 2.5 y/o everywhere BC it's faster than letting him walk/run loose. Or he'll go crunching leaves, picking up sticks and rocks, everything to make a 5 min walk into 30 mins. </p> <p>Anyway, another game to play is red light (stop at intersections), green light (go) yellow light (slow at driveways). My ds loves it! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241127 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 16:44:36 +0000 kodybear 2241127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>same as others. my lo def wants to be held more than a normal toddler i'd say. but i try to encourage her to "walk to the stop sign" or have her point out things to me like trucks, dogs, etc. if shes just not having it i don't fight it that much. i'd rather carry her than deal with a crying/whining toddler. sometimes what works is just picking her up and giving her a hug for 3 (i count outloud) and then put her back down and most of the time she'll walk after that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241121 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 16:35:35 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 2241121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He is showing you that he trusts you, wants to rely on you and be close to you right now. Cherish these moments because he'll be pushing you away soon enough. Since it's not happening at school, it's not a milestone regression. He just wants mama.</p> <p>Kids are so random and funny, but this really is ok for right now. I wouldn't fight him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241117 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 16:31:33 +0000 pachamama 2241117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My niece did the same thing around that age. She grew out of it :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241107 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 16:15:05 +0000 NovBaby1112 2241107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I echo others and think it's just a phase, I wouldn't be too concerned with a full on regression. My 2.5 year old wants to be carried all the time, I try a few times to get her to just walk, but I give in if she really wants me to hold her. Just not a battle I have the energy to fight! I figure one day she won't want me to hold her at all </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241024 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 15:15:01 +0000 bunnylove08 2241024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD does this sometimes and I try to distract her by saying, Can you run fast like the ginger bread man and usually that snaps her out of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241019 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 15:10:16 +0000 Smurfette 2241019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I see your concern, but with day care and all, I doubt he is going to regress. I would enjoy all the snuggles and cuddles you can. In a flash he is going to be older and not want any. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241018 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 15:09:21 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2241018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: you'd be surprised. He's already starting to cry and cling to me sometimes at the playground now. Hence my worry.</p> <p>These meltdowns mostly happen when we don't even take the stroller. You know, in an attempt to not have to have me lug it down the stairs so we can go across the street ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241015 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 15:08:34 +0000 lady grey 2241015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can see why you'd be worried about a full on regression, but I personally would just bring the stroller along and not make it a big power struggle. And continue to encourage walking of course. Maybe he can tell how important it is to you and its become a toddler battle of wills. Just let it go a little and save yourself the stress. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241009 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 15:06:15 +0000 hilsy85 2241009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: I would see how it goes before jumping to that conclusion--I would imagine it would take a lot to keep a toddler off the playground!</p> <p>Eta is he ok with the stroller? Or just wants to be carried? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2241008 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 15:05:04 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2241008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Yeahhhh, I just worrying about him regressing into NEVER walking. When he first came home, he didn't play, run, jump, anything. So I'm concerned if we go back to carrying him everywhere, he'll seriously regress. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2240999 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:59:53 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2240999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: I guess I feel like since he can walk, I shouldn't have to drag the stroller out to walk block or two to the park or store. And my goal is for him to walk to school (4 blocks) so that I don't have to deal with the stroller every day. If it was a physical issue, I'd get it, but I feel this is laziness/stubbornness. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2240983 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:41:34 +0000 hilsy85 2240983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We almost always have the stroller with us--Lo is too big to be carried by me and it's too hot!! If he doesn't want to walk I wouldmy push it, as long as he's still active and running around at th playground etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2240972 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:32:54 +0000 pinkcupcake 2240972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We still carry out 3.5 year old around everywhere :) its funny because when she first started toddling, she wanted the freedom to walk everywhere and now she just wants to be picked up and held everywhere. I def think its a phase :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2240971 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:31:31 +0000 Truth Bombs 2240971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is there a reason you don't want to take the stroller? I guess I don't see this as a huge issue. My 2.5 year still likes to be carried or sit in her stroller a fair amount and we just go with the flow. I don't really see the benefit of forcing him to walk if he doesn't want to. Sometimes carrying her gets a little tough because I'm 20 weeks pregnant but I do my best or ask her to ride in the stroller. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2240940 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:10:29 +0000 Anagram 2240940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My niece went through this phase for a long while---it's probably why toddler carriers have become so popular! I'd probably just carry/stroll him until he's over it. Or maybe get a scooter or something that will entice him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-refusing-to-walk-ugh#post-2240934 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:06:25 +0000 Kemma 2240934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you think he just wants to be close to you while out and about? </p>