How do you feel about LO holding your hand?

AFC921 · September 2010

DD and I go for a walk almost every day. Usually I put her in the stroller and away we go. Well it was a beautiful day yesterday so I decided to let her walk on her own. We pretty much just took a walk around the neighborhood. She held my hand for a little while but then she started not wanting to hold my hand b/c she wanted to explore everything. The leaves on the ground, the flowers in the grass, etc. She pretty much stayed right next to me and if a car came I grabbed her hand and made sure she didn't move. Most of the streets we walked down were dead ends anyway.

I found myself feeling a little torn. I really want her to get used to holding my hand at all times b/c I don't want to be in a big crowd one day and her think she doesn't have to hold my hand as long as she is next to me. On the other hand I didn't want to hinder her "exploration" becuase she was really into it and she was definetly learning and I did make sure I was right there w/ her and she was safe. What is your take on hand holding? Will she be confused if sometimes I make her hold my hand and other times I don't? Do you make your LO's hold your hand whenever you are out?

lkaylee721 · September 2010

I think it's ok to let them be 'free' if I'm in a store or the mall. Outside when cars can whiz by in a heartbeat I make him hold my hand, like it or not.

aniceucchik · September 2010

he pretty much refuses no matter where we are...i feel like i need to get one of those leashes...LOL

EastCoastBride · September 2010

No way do I make DS hold my hand all the time! Kids are smart- they can learn that sometimes they have to hold and sometimes they don't.

DS absolutely fights me on it when we get to a street. But I've found that if I get down on his level and say "you have a choice - you can hold my hand as we cross or I can carry you", he wont fight me and he actually asks to be carried.

But until I started getting down on his level, he would refuse to be picked up OR hold my hand.

But absolutely- in the right environment, let your kid run and be free!

Mary0913 · September 2010

We haven't let her walk on her own in public. We're working with her right now at home to teach her to hold our hand when asked. For example, when it's time to go upstairs for bath/bed, we always say, "It's time to go upstairs. Hold Mommy/Daddy's hand please." That way, she's used to holding our hand when prompted to. When I'm confident that she's got that down, we'll attempt it in public.

KathrynMD · September 2010

We'd never leave the house if I made DD hold my hand all the time. I make her hold hands when we cross a street or are in a parking lot (or she gets carried). I've also tried institiuting the "touch the car" rule in parking lots.

Otherwise. .. I encourage her to hold my hand - sometimes she does, sometimes she doesn't.

julygal · September 2010

We hold hands in parking lots, crossing streets, and if it is particularly crowded. It was difficult for DD to get the differences in the beginning, but she gets it now. We did use a backpack leash for the learning phase in certain places like the airport, Disney World, etc that are just crazy busy that she could have gotten lost in a second.

sunnyday016 · September 2010

We only make DD hold our hands if we're crossing the street or in a parking lot. If she refuses, then I carry her. Other than that, she's free to walk on her own and explore. I'm always near, so I can snatch her up at any time if I feel like she is in some sort of danger.

LynnJones · September 2010

She's really good at holding my hand but I do let her explore. She knows when I say 'hold mama's hand' that she is to hold my hand and not let go. But if she wants to go explore and it's safe (duh) then I let her go.

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