If you have a HIGHLY energetic toddler, how did you handle walking vs. stroller?

[baybemama]

Our son is 2.5 and we will most definitely have the stroller but I fully expect him to want to get out and walk around since there is so much he'll want to see and do. I'm fine with this but I fear the tantrums for the times it is absolutely necessary to just get him back in so we can get somewhere. He's not the best at hand holding and has a hard time actually walking...he just wants to run. I'm hoping he'll just be so tired out that he'll WANT to get back in.

We've been with him twice before but he was still an infant and things like waiting in line weren't a problem because we could just hold him. I worry about him waiting in line and trying to escape the attraction entirely.

Any tips? I'm thinking having a bottomless supply of dums dums might help

 

[Hannathy]

Start now!! Don't expect to wait till Disney and have him know what to do. Does he stay with you now? Do you insist he walks with you all the time? Lay down some hard and fast rules and mean it. take him to the store or local zoo and tell him he has to walk next to you and mean it. if he doesn't correct him once and if he doesn't leave go to the car for a time out or go home, or he goes back into the stroller. People with kids who behave at Disney didn't start at Disney. by 2.5 mine knew to stay with us, we didn't hold hands all day that is too hot and tiring, but they also knew there were consequences to not walking right with us.

Just practice and be consistent!

 

[Avonlady1001]

Don't know how you feel about them, but we used a toddler harness for those times...just as a backup for when my DD would rip her hand out of mine & take off. LOL She couldn't go very far.

My response will prob set off a big debate, but I don't care. We used it to keep DD safe...2 y/o's are strong and fast when they want to be. In a place like WDW I wasn't taking any chances.

Can't remember what we did in lines...prob just talked a lot. Talking always distracted her...LOL I prob had some of her fave snacks, juice cup, small toy, etc. I don't remember having any problems.

She def did NOT want to be in the stroller...Here's a pic of DD at 2 in WDW:

ETA: I agree w/ PP...def make the rules now. Be consistent, like you would w/ any behavior. Just keep in mind that WDW is not an ordinary day out, like at the mall. There are LOTS of distractions (for you & the little ones)... We never needed that harness in any other situation (and I brought it w/ us everywhere we went, just in case.) Some days in WDW we didn't need it, but it was good to have when we did.

You know your child best...

 

[CLR4321]

If your child wants to walk, let him. Get yourself one of those kid leashes if you are going to be in a place that your child could get lost in easily (like WDW). If you are out in a place less crowded, go ahead and let him walk on his own. Keep an eye on him of course to keep him in the right place. If you are in a place where him walking would be dangerous (such as a street with no sidewalk), then hold his hand. Children normally do go through a phase where they are learning that they have freedom, and want to explore. He may start enjoying his stroller again in a few months or so. Don't try to push it unless you absolutely have no choice but to use the stroller. The great thing about kids walking is not only do they get exercise, but they fall asleep faster rather than throwing temper tantrums when they are tired.

 

[jana616]

My son is 25 months, and he would much prefer walking to riding in the stroller. I bought a kiddie harness/leash (Monkey backpack one from Target), and it has worked really well, but not in the way I expected. If he is begging to get out of the stroller, I give him the choice, either ride or walk with the harness. Since either of those is okay with me, I can't lose. And he has the power to decide. His response has been split pretty evenly most of the time. When we are in a less crowded area, we don't use anything, and he is getting pretty good, after some practice, at remembering to stay with us and not run off. So I would agree, give him as many opportunities as possible to learn what to do! Good luck!

 

[laughinplace199]

Maybe my kids are weird, but they've never had a problem getting back in the stroller after walking for a while. There is so much to see, even while riding in the stroller to get from one part of the park to another.

My youngest was 2.5 on our last trip. He walked some of the time, but rode in the stroller a lot. He's too small to keep up with his siblings if he's on foot. In lines, we just held him for the most part.

 

[PatsMom]

DD was very energetic and that is why she was a leash child. We practiced at Storyland (a local amusement park). Like a PP I gave her a choice - stroller or leash.

And I taught her very young that if she ever did lose us, she should look for someone with a name tag. I showed her the tags at Storyland. The first time we took her to Disney, I also found a CM and pointed out the nametag and told her to find someone with a tag like that if she couldn't find us.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I have a high energy child, too, and I know how fast they can get away from you. I agree with the harness suggestion. I never needed one with my oldest 4, but my youngest is a runner, if he sees something interesting he will take off and he was strong enough to even break free of Dh's hand. Someone mentioned the monkey backpack harness from Target, I had the dog version since DS likes dogs and LOVED it. My older kids made a big deal over who gets to hold his "tail". By the time he outgrew it he was much better at staying with us and now at 5 I can trust him better (but I still have to keep a close eye on him).

 

[chrismartinique]

my youngest DD is this way. We were at WDW when she was 3 and 4. When she wanted to walk I would let her out, but she had to hold onto the stroller from the side, and she knew she was not allowed to run off. The distractions, the heat and the walking did work off her energy, and she would easily submit to getting back in to ride when I wanted her to.

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

I also recommend the kid harness/leash. We have one for all three of our kids and keep them in the stroller whenever we go ANYWHERE (mall, zoo, amusement park, etc.). My 3 1/2 yr old has gotten soooo much better at staying with us when we're walking (and he HATES to ride in the stroller unless he's SUPER exhausted). He loves when we let him hold the "tail" of one of his sister's leashes - makes him feel like he's got an important job (and he DOES!). Not only does he love it - his sister loves it, too. And it make Mommy's job a lot easier, too! LOL

For our December trip, we'll be bringing a double and a single stroller but will probably only bring the single stroller with us in the afternoons/evenings when it's more likely for DS to be tired. In the mornings, I have a feeling all three will want to walk for most of the day but there's NO WAY I can expect my twins (who turn 2 yrs just three days before we leave) to walk the whole time.

 

[wickywinn]

We used the toddler harness some too but my extremely active DD3 (was 2 at the time we went) loved to twist them around legs and such. Surprisingly it was fairly easy for us to control her at WDW. She was in her stroller from one land to the other then we'd park the stroller and hold her hand from ride to ride. She'd fight a bit with the hand holding but the walk from each line/attraction was so short it wasn't too bad. Once in line, DH in front and me in the rear so she couldn't escape. It was great in lines because she was surrounded. Nowhere to go! She did try to weasle her way a few times in front of daddy or under the rope but, more often than not, the person she ended up by had kids of their own and they'd just shew her back to us. She never got far but she was happy because she wasn't having to hold hands or sit in the stroller. She was standing in line like a big girl!

 

[baybemama]

These are all great tips. I do have one of those Target backpack harnesses. We've never used it but it's something to try. We have been working on having him walk with us and at times he can be good with it... but often it results in him not listening and staying under control (I've fished toys out of fountains and apologized to countless civilians for almost being knocked over) and being put back in the stroller which results in a tantrum. You'd think by now he would learn that not listening and behaving results in the unwanted consequence but he is SO strong willed and energetic. I suppose I'm thinking about the worst case scenario too much. There is still a chance WDW will just be so magical that he'll fall under a good behavior spell

Thanks for the responses!

 

[Juliet25]

These are all great tips. I do have one of those Target backpack harnesses. We've never used it but it's something to try. We have been working on having him walk with us and at times he can be good with it... but often it results in him not listening and staying under control (I've fished toys out of fountains and apologized to countless civilians for almost being knocked over) and being put back in the stroller which results in a tantrum. You'd think by now he would learn that not listening and behaving results in the unwanted consequence but he is SO strong willed and energetic. I suppose I'm thinking about the worst case scenario too much. There is still a chance WDW will just be so magical that he'll fall under a good behavior spell

Thanks for the responses!

Your son sounds like my DD as a toddler. She was a terror. I still shudder thinking of those days. I'm going to suggest the kid leash as well. I was never brave enough to do it with my DD, but I'm buying one for my upcoming trip for my 18 mo. She's not as crazy as her sister, but she's in the independent, run away from mom phase.

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

These are all great tips. I do have one of those Target backpack harnesses. We've never used it but it's something to try. We have been working on having him walk with us and at times he can be good with it... but often it results in him not listening and staying under control (I've fished toys out of fountains and apologized to countless civilians for almost being knocked over) and being put back in the stroller which results in a tantrum. You'd think by now he would learn that not listening and behaving results in the unwanted consequence but he is SO strong willed and energetic. I suppose I'm thinking about the worst case scenario too much. There is still a chance WDW will just be so magical that he'll fall under a good behavior spell

Thanks for the responses!

Yep, we have one of those! Isn't it fun!? This is why at 18 months he was left at home with pappy when we went the first time to Disney. The next year we did take him, and I was so worried about it, the fits, the running off, it was AWFUL, and to put him in a stroller, forget it! BUT, and I'm not saying this will happen to you, we got there and I had a different kid. I couldn't believe how wonderful he was. This boy that napped several times a day was up and HAPPY all day. We'd leave the parks at 10pm!! I ended up not wanting to ever leave, I wanted to keep THIS boy! Leading to a trip this year that we so shouldn't do, but I can't wait to have that time with DS again!! It's just him and I at the parks, Dad takes older brother and they do their thing, I can't wait!!

Good luck on your trip, I think if you have the backpack leash thing you'll be just find encase...

 

[maxiesmom]

Don't know how you feel about them, but we used a toddler harness for those times...just as a backup for when my DD would rip her hand out of mine & take off. LOL She couldn't go very far.

My response will prob set off a big debate, but I don't care. We used it to keep DD safe...2 y/o's are strong and fast when they want to be. In a place like WDW I wasn't taking any chances.

Can't remember what we did in lines...prob just talked a lot. Talking always distracted her...LOL I prob had some of her fave snacks, juice cup, small toy, etc. I don't remember having any problems.

She def did NOT want to be in the stroller...Here's a pic of DD at 2 in WDW:

ETA: I agree w/ PP...def make the rules now. Be consistent, like you would w/ any behavior. Just keep in mind that WDW is not an ordinary day out, like at the mall. There are LOTS of distractions (for you & the little ones)... We never needed that harness in any other situation (and I brought it w/ us everywhere we went, just in case.) Some days in WDW we didn't need it, but it was good to have when we did.

You know your child best...

I wanted to say that you have a very cute little Viking!

OP--I agree with the others, use your harness/leash at Disney World.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I guess I will stand alone. I do not reccomend the leash. I think you need to practice going out a lot and making sure you follow through on your threats. Take him to places he loves. When he does not listen pack it up and leave. At that age you can teach him to hold onto the stroller when he is walking. This way his hand is not up over his head and he knows where he has to stand. Kids that age have a hard time just walking with a group of adults if you will. If he is holding on to the stroller he knows exactly where he needs to be. Practice this ad nauseum now. This is not only good for WDW. It is good for every day life.

On the other hand he may surprise you. My most energetic children were a dream in WDW. They walked nicely, they got in the stroller when we put them there or asked them to as well. There is so much to see and do that just talking about what you are going to do next is usually enough incentive to get them moving.

Something to think about also. If the child is prone to tantrums etc. and he is on a leash all you are going to have is a child flailing on the ground attatched to a leash or straining against it dragging you along. So I personally would find a way to deal with that now. JMHO.

 

[Hannathy]

Mouse House Mama you aren't alone! I was the first responder on this thread and I said the same thing!!!

Teach him now he isn't too young.

 

[waltskids]

I guess I will stand alone. I do not reccomend the leash. I think you need to practice going out a lot and making sure you follow through on your threats. Take him to places he loves. When he does not listen pack it up and leave. At that age you can teach him to hold onto the stroller when he is walking. This way his hand is not up over his head and he knows where he has to stand. Kids that age have a hard time just walking with a group of adults if you will. If he is holding on to the stroller he knows exactly where he needs to be. Practice this ad nauseum now. This is not only good for WDW. It is good for every day life.

On the other hand he may surprise you. My most energetic children were a dream in WDW. They walked nicely, they got in the stroller when we put them there or asked them to as well. There is so much to see and do that just talking about what you are going to do next is usually enough incentive to get them moving.

Something to think about also. If the child is prone to tantrums etc. and he is on a leash all you are going to have is a child flailing on the ground attatched to a leash or straining against it dragging you along. So I personally would find a way to deal with that now. JMHO.

Well said!! I too, would personally prepare your toddler now for some short walking in the local stores, etc. Allow your child to walk next to you for brief periods of time, or hold on to the stroller, and leave the situation if your child does not follow your directions. Our DS who is also 2 1/2 did very well in Disney last week and actually wanted to get into the stroller when he knew he was going to see something new. The walking he did do also wore him out. We have never used a leash, even when he visited Disney at 12 months and 20 months, in which both times he was walking. Not sure about your situation, but we have a 2 1/2 year old who is potty trained and speaks in full sentences. I can't imagine the look on his face if we tried to leash him. I think he may have laughed at us! I know not all 2 1/2 year olds are this way so it helps to know their personality. But seriously, if you take the time to prepare your toddler now, you will be surprised at how well your child may do. Only you know your child best.

 

[kalc12345]

When we went to Disney last Dec we used the stroller most of the time but we did let him out to walk a little. Epcot is a great place to let them walk. He did have a few tantrums when we made him get back in the stroller but I had a bag full of snacks and that calmed him down quickly.

 

[wishtdream]

I don't do leashes. My youngest DD now months rides in the stroller when DH and I tell her to. If she does not stay close or hold my hand when I tell her or when she wishes to be held I use a hot sling and hip carry her. Sometimes when we are out all day such as at Six Flags I will put her in the sling and find a shady spot to sit and tell her to go to sleep when it is nap time. Then in ten minutes or so after she nods out I move along. We will be returning to WDW in less than a months time.