😇behavior
Anonymous User
1 month ago
Hand holding
I have an odd question. My 1 year old refuses to hold my hand when she’s walking. She sits on the ground whenever I try to hold her hand when she’s walking. However, she will hold hands when she’s in the stroller. Are there any tips to get her to start holding my hand when she’s walking?
Anonymous
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1 month ago
Oh yeah she’s definitely fighting for her independence. I have a 1.5 year old who fights tooth and nail to walk down a busy street in NYC without holding my hand. He’ll throw a fit if I don’t let him, throwing himself on the ground. So I just stick him in the stroller. He cries and eventually gets over it. This was true with my other son too. Not really sure at what point he decided to hold my hand but he came around to it. Hang in there! She’ll do it! She’s just got a strong independent streak!
Anonymous
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1 month ago
Sounds exactly like my 1 yo. She refuses to hold my hand when we’re walking. I don’t have advice, just validation that you’re not the only one!
Anonymous
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1 month ago
We’ve definitely struggled with that, and my 2yo is still learning. She’s also a generally independent and strong willed kid. I bet that’s a good sign that yours will at least hold hands in the stroller, and probably something you can build on. With our kid, until she has it down, we focus on key moments (crosswalks, parking lots, busier streets; I’m less strict if we’re on a calmer street or indoors and she’s not running) and judicious about which streets we stroll versus where/when we feel able commit to practice walking (is it calm enough, can I pick her up or run after her if I have to today, do we have time for her to just spontaneously quit and squat on the ground). I narrate everything: “We’re in a parking lot, so either we hold hands or I pick you up” “See all the cars moving there? That’s why we hold hands.” “Here’s a red sign. We’re going to stop and hold hands.” Even when she’s in the stroller, sometimes I point out those things so she gets to know the difference between a sidewalk and crossing a street, etc.
It can be hard with a 1yo because walking is still pretty new and tiring, and balance can actually be tricky when you’re holding hands. So no shame in strolling or doing whatever you need to to do!