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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
Mrs.Johns
member
Anyone else's 1 year old wander off everywhere?
Mrs.Johns
member
Hey Ladies!
I hope you are all well. I am so procrastinating making cupcakes for a party tomorrow. I need your wisdom!
My LO is 13 mos. She is not shy and is very independent. Both good things! However- when we go to the sing along at the library or whichever thing we are going to. She will. not. sit. still. Which is fine. To be expected. But she is like wandering all over the place, sitting on people's laps, trying to get into their bags, wanting to take other kids snacks (WHY people bring a snack to an event with 2293487234 little kids going is beyond me, but whatever), wandering up to the performer and going where she isn't supposed to go. I am constantly going to get her and bring her back. Every 3 seconds. Today I actually worked up a sweat at the sing along trying to reel her in. I don't want to be hovering all over her- she does need that independence, but I also don't want her getting into trouble or being disruptive to the other kids who are sitting so nicely- plus, she's only 1!
I actually got "spoken to" from a librarian at the event saying that I need to keep her behind the taped off area. Ugh. I was trying so hard. Seriously, I almost cried. I feel like the worst mom that I can't get my kid to sit still.
Any thoughts on how to manage this? I have tried getting her to dance with me, bouncing her on my lap, hugging her, holding her. All fails. She just is flailing around in my arms wanting to go explore.
How do you teach your kid to stay near you?
Thanks! I really appreciate the help! 
ETA: By the way- she is so well behaved at all other times. She does what she is told except when I need her to sit!
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Re: Anyone else's 1 year old wander off everywhere?
Eeek. Maybe I should just start wearing running shoes and workout clothes when we go out. Hah.
I feel your pain. We go to Little Gym and there is a short portion of the class at the beginning where we sing a name song and do a short activity. I kid you not he is the only one who will not stay with me. And when I go to get him and reel him in, he screams. So I've just resigned myself to letting him wander.
Also, I want to kill all the parents who bring their phones/other technology into the room with them and leave them on the windowsill. He of course notices them and then wants to get them the entire 45mins we are there.
It's exhausting.
Dd does the same thing. Down to sitting in other peoples laps. Other moms usually think its cute that she is so outgoing.
Our librarian is awesome and totally understands toddlers. It sounds like yours does not.
Wow, thank you so much everyone. I am so happy to hear I am not alone. Sorry I was gone so long. I got sidetracked making my cupcakes and then forgot to check back. Since I have become a parent I think I have ADD.
Welp, it sounds like I have the free spirit in the room. I do try and tell her to stay with me but that falls on deaf ears.
Glad to know this is just normal kid behavior. Honestly, I don't blame the librarian. She was just concerned for LOs safety- although she wasn't grabbing wires or anything. She was just standing inside the taped off area.
And I KNOW about the cell phones- WTF!!! I really get ticked at people who bring age inappropriate toys and sippy cups. So inconsiderate.
I completely understand. I tried to go to a LLL meeting, and I had to leave early because DS was being so disruptive. The babies were happy sitting around playing and the older toddlers were happy playing with their own toys while mine was trying to dig in diaper bags, grab and kiss the little babies, and get to the toilet in the bathroom.
Also, I think that with the more toddler activities you attend, the more you will see that it is not just your LO that acts like that.
Right now DD is definitely the wanderer at most of the stuff we attend, but I've been going to so many story times, music classes, etc. over the past couple of years that I have seen a ton of other toddlers act the same way.
this sounds like my DS this summer at story hour. it was at Barnes and Noble, and I literally left after 5 minutes bc he was running all over and wanted to play with the Thomas the train table instead of listen to the stories. I guess like others said we have the "free spirits".
My question is though, if this is "normal", then why are the majority of the kids able to sit on their moms laps and pay attention to the "teacher"?? That is what really upset me, to see all these other kids the SAME age and BOYS that were able to pay attention. Everyone told me, well hes a boy and hes young. not a good enough answer for me. its just so frustrating being the only one whose kid takes off all the time! i went back one or two times but then couldn't deal with it. I would leave in tears. we signed him up for an "open gym" class through the recreation department and he loves that but of course its unstructured play so he loves that! GL to all of you moms of free spirits, lol!