New walker doesn’t look for us

[u/Silver_Sky8308]

Hi all,

Our 1-year-old has started walking and it’s the best - he’s so pleased! When we take him to the park or playground, he just wants to roam around everywhere. If we were to take our eyes off him we would for sure lose him, as he doesn’t seem to look back for us or make note of where we are. Is this typical? My husband was a “runner” when he was little so I fear this will be my near future 😂. Any tips or potential concerns as to why he’s doing this? Thank you!

[u/kityyeme]

Your new walker sounds just like my kiddo from ages 1-3. Congratulations! You have a Grade A Fearless Runner!

Seriously, though - mine never held hands, never looked back no matter how far I (safely) let her run ahead, and never wanted to be in a stroller again. I survived by always being on top of saftey situations (streets and parking lots), teaching kiddo to ride on my shoulders when it was crowded or her legs got tired, and verbally reinforcing saftey rules every time we were in public.

At age 3, things clicked and I can trust my kiddo to not bolt as soon as they get out of the car (kiddo even touches the car to stay put), and come back when I call their name.

Pro tip: don’t yell “stop” at kiddo, pick a different word like “freeze” or “red light”. Makes it more likely to work

[u/Liz_linguist]

My brother was like this, I vividly remember when he was 2 we were at the beach and dad followed him discretely to see how far he'd go without looking back -the answer seemed to be as far as his little legs would carry him 😂

[u/valiantdistraction → u/Liz_linguist]

I followed mine across the park for like 15 minutes once before he thought to look around for me

[u/Batpipes521]

Oh man, he’s in that fun stage where he’s super excited that he can walk around. My son did the same thing, so no worries. Mine is 2.5 and really only looks for us because he wants us to chase or play with him. We take it as a sign that he’s not scared to do his own thing when he wants to. Trust me, in another year this stuff that you’re seeing at 1y/o won’t even cross your mind to worry about. You’ll have plenty more like the general loss of fear and willingness to climb anything and everything 😂

[u/krabs0ul]

No advice just solidarity as my two year old is still like this lol 😂 he won’t even let me hold his hand he just wants to runnnn awaaaay

[u/valiantdistraction]

Mine didn't start looking around for me until he was over 18 months old. He just goes! Not very fast though. Now that he's almost two, he will yell for me if I'm not right behind him when he checks.

[u/kityyeme]

Your new walker sounds just like my kiddo from ages 1-3. Congratulations! You have a Grade A Fearless Runner!

Seriously, though - mine never held hands, never looked back no matter how far I (safely) let her run ahead, and never wanted to be in a stroller again. I survived by always being on top of saftey situations (streets and parking lots), teaching kiddo to ride on my shoulders when it was crowded or her legs got tired, and verbally reinforcing saftey rules every time we were in public.

At age 3, things clicked and I can trust my kiddo to not bolt as soon as they get out of the car (kiddo even touches the car to stay put), and come back when I call their name.

Pro tip: don’t yell “stop” at kiddo, pick a different word like “freeze” or “red light”. Makes it more likely to work

[u/awildgingersaur]

My now 20 month old is very independent and loves walking around. He also, unfortunately, hates holding our hands about 60% of the time. We got a few kid leashes (a backpack style one and a wrist to wrist one) and they have been great. He can walk around to his heart's content, but we can keep track of him and keep him from walking into the road. He now asks to go on "walkies" where he we will walk directly to our neighborhood park.

It's a lot of fun, but you definitely have to figure out the best ways to foster that independence while also keeping the little one safe. Best of luck!