How do I get out with wilful toddler and baby?! Post Reply

[WimbledonMumOf2]

Hi...
I am really struggling to get out of my flat with my two - I would love some advice!
My toddler is 2 in a few weeks and my baby is 4 months. The main problem is that my toddler is incredibly wilful and I am terrified she'll run away from me or have an uncontrolled moment and I won't be able to look after both safely.
Here are some practical problems I face and advice would be so appreciated:
1. We live in a first floor flat with no lift so I have to haul both up the stairs if necessary.
2. The access to the flat has stairs so I can't get them both into a secure area in the double buggy.
3. If I let my toddler out of the buggy in a shopping centre she will literally run away from me.
4. We have lovely communal gardens that I take both out to but again - my toddler loves running away from me and while I like her to have freedom there are internal roads with cars so I HAVE to run after her if she heads off.
5. I do use the baby bjorn with success but it's still pretty back breaking to have a 4 monther on you and carry and kicking and screaming toddler back home because she doesn't want to come!

I feel pretty useless that I'm not managing on my own and I think I tend to stay holed up at home where at least I know they're both safe!

I would so love some tips or tricks - not keen on harnesses as knowing my daughter I'll have to actually drag her along the ground if she down't want to come and I couldn't bear that!

Any ideas for protected areas to go to would also be very welcome - the Putney Leisure centre's playgroups are great as there's a closed door and room for my oldest to run wild in safety!

Thanks for reading and looking forward to responses - even directing me to websites would be fine.

Thanks xxx

[falconmum]

how about One o'clock clubs ? There are some great ones in Wandsworth. I have been to the Bolingbroke and Battersea park.

The young one can be in the Baby sensory area and the older one can do things like messy play and stuff !

[ally30_1998]

The one o clock clubs are very good. Also, there is an adventure playground by Chivalry Road on Wandsworth Common. It's actually for Special Needs Children but they have general access times - im not sure what they are thouhg - it is probably on the council website. The gate in this place locks and no one gets in or out without supervision so its very safe, it also has fantastic play facilities and the staff are lovely.
I see you mention not wanting to get a harness and i can understand that, but how about a wrist strap? I had to use one of these with my son and it was extremely useful to say the least. He loathed it and we had more than a few occasions of him throwing himself to the ground and me dragging him along the pavement (they soon learn that pavements arnt very nice to be dragged along!) I should also say that he was a full on screaming autistic nightmare at the time so calm instructions and reasoning were not a viable method at all! I do sympathise fully and can well remember what its like trying to get out the door. Remember - don't compare yourself to other mothers you see, keep your goals realistic, and keep being consistant and firm with your little one. She may be wilful, but you are the boss