Pls help me find a solution for walking safely with toddler

**chelseabun** · 10-06-2011, 10:17 AM

Need to find a safer way of walking out and about. Toddler reigns are fine, but my son will absolutely not let me put them on him, same with buggy board.

Does anyone know of fun, extra long reigns. Have tried the backpack ones, no good. Strap too short.

I know I need to get tougher perhaps, he has outgrown the buggy, and likes to walk, just need to keep him near me when I am pushing others in the buggy.

Reigns seem the obvious answer, just wondering if anyone had any other suggestions, or any particular reigns you can suggest?

Thanks alot.

**grindal** · 10-06-2011, 10:39 AM

I use reins on my mindees when we are walking - if they dont like them they go back in the pushchair. How old is DS? Is it possible to get him to hold onto the pushchair? I have a nearly 2 year old mindee and mum and I have both drilled holding onto the pushchair into her. Having said that I still use the reins on her when we are walking on roads - but she is very good and holds on herself.
I would get tough with DS - if he wants to walk he wears the reins. Depends how much he likes walking too. I looked after one little boy he played up with reins and was ove the moon when I used to let him back in the pushchair

**loocyloo** · 10-06-2011, 10:48 AM

i use reins, they are a 'non negotiable' in my house, along with hi viz jackets!

i also have a couple of straps on my buggy handles ( i use dog leads!

) that are attached to my buggy, but gives a walker a handle to hold, which means they can wiggle around a bit, but are still holding on. some children find it hard to walk close to the buggy, or holding a hand. i still put reins on, but these are so 'i don't get lost'

and i just hold them loosely in my hand/round my wrist.

good luck x

**dolly daycare** · 10-06-2011, 10:51 AM

We use monkey reigns, they come in different animals.

I think I got them of the small dudes website. Think they are made by gold bug

My own little one, has always wanted to put his monkey on and now at the age of 4 still asks to wear it! My little mindees, now ask to wear the monkey, when we go out.

A big hit here, would definitely recommend.

**sarah707** · 10-06-2011, 11:08 AM

I use reins until children are able to walk sensibly and hold onto the buggy.

They are not negotiable. I will negotiate on lots of things but not a child's safety

**blue bear** · 10-06-2011, 11:14 AM

If you put a longer lead on him will he still be safe? You could always put reins on him and attach retractable dog lead but can't see how you can keep him safe if he has a long lead really.

The monkey ones sound fun and might work for your lo, really you need to decide what the rules are when walking and stick to it every time even when not working so he knows what's what. Easier said than done I know but after a couple of weeks of no nonsense, it's either this or this and usually children fall in.

**auntym** · 10-06-2011, 11:25 AM

You could try wrist reigns and if still creating a fuss then its a strict reigns or buggy I'm afraid

**wendywu** · 10-06-2011, 11:41 AM

[
[QUOTE]They are not negotiable. I will negotiate on lots of things but not a child's safety

[/QUOTE

I agree, there is no such thing as 'will not' with a toddler. Im the grown up and i make the rules in my house.

Pipsqueak · 10-06-2011, 11:48 AM

Reins (never a wrist strap) they are non - negotiable. I am the adult and my will is greater!
If a child 'won't' (start pratting around) wear them then back in teh buggy they go.

I used to care for a child who behaved like rope touching gollum..... he was melting, screaming, writhing on the floor. He soon got the message... he was either tucked under my arm paddying with the reins still on or put into the buggy with reins still on......

Its my way .. end of

**wendywu** · 10-06-2011, 12:08 PM

[
.

He soon got the message... he was either tucked under my arm paddying

]
Best place for him

**sonia ann** · 10-06-2011, 01:29 PM

my lo's wear reins whether they like it or not....................I am the grown upand they are my rules full stop.

**Probey9** · 10-06-2011, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by sarah707

I use reins until children are able to walk sensibly and hold onto the buggy.

They are not negotiable. I will negotiate on lots of things but not a child's safety

Ditto to the above and for children who can walk sensibly but decide they are not going to listen on an occasion the reigns go on, it doesn't take them long to catch on but you need to be strong and consistent, good luck.

onceinabluemoon · 10-06-2011, 02:49 PM

Agree with the others, you are the adult, just step up and tell him that you absolutely will not go out unless he has his reins on and stick to it. You just have to be consistent and you will win. x

**Ali56** · 10-06-2011, 05:31 PM

I agree too, def the reins or in the pram. Even when LO's walk nicely they always know I have the reins with me. Any messing about and on they go. I never take chances with road safety, Its one of those things that are not negotiable. With many things children can learn by their mistakes, being hit by a car is another thing entirely. My rules all the way. As stated before-Iam the grown up and I make the rules

**ChocolateChip** · 10-06-2011, 05:58 PM

Same here, reins whether they like it or not. But if they were good walkers fairly reliable I would unclip one side so the rein was longer but I still had a hold on them.

**teacake2** · 10-06-2011, 06:04 PM

I use reins, but sometimes to give them a little bit of 'freedom' in very quiet areas I will unclip one side of the reins which instantly gives you a longer rein and so they can walk a little bit further away from you, but the minute they take advantage or we are not in too safe an area I shorten them again.
Teacake2

**PixiePetal** · 10-06-2011, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by teacake2

I use reins, but sometimes to give them a little bit of 'freedom' in very quiet areas I will unclip one side of the reins which instantly gives you a longer rein and so they can walk a little bit further away from you, but the minute they take advantage or we are not in too safe an area I shorten them again.
Teacake2

same here

**funemnx** · 10-06-2011, 07:49 PM

My little ones have only one side of the reins attatched and the other is attatched to the pushchair. They do get used to it - honest

**zippy** · 10-06-2011, 11:11 PM

I used to tie a wrist strap to my sons reins to give him slightly more length and then used to collect it up anywhere near roads etc

**Julia** · 11-06-2011, 10:14 AM

Sorry I'm going to echo what others have said, if he doesn't want reins then it's the buggy! His safety is the most important thing, getting tough now and upsetting him is better than what could happen to him if he doesn't listen and gets hurt.

Sorry it's a painful truth but there it is