Hi there, everyone! I'm new to this site!
I just have a few Q's about my almost 17 month old son (I'm a first time mommy!)
Is it normal for him to run away from me when we go to the store? Beach? Etc. When we go anywhere he just wants to get on the ground and explore. He just wants to run everywhere! Lately, I'll keep him in the stroller because it's too chaotic. At what age does this stop? I see kids following their moms so good and well behaved in stores. I'm sure they're older than my LO, but I want that too!
Within the past couple of months my son has started to say about 15 words. He doesn't say yes or no yet and will on shake his head no when he's being silly. What age does this typically start?
Thanks!
he is a normal toddler. he will sort of start to listen and follow directions when he is about 3. at 2 he will probably say no and do exactly the opposite of what you tell him
all kids are different on language skills.. some talk early some late. but15 words at his age is very good. you probably are better off if he cant say no yet..
He sounds smart! And very active. And 100% normal.
What I'd recommend is that you get one of those "tether" things, so he can be up and running, but not in escape mode. And don't compare him to other kids! You just wound up with a little live wire; he'll be fit and healthy his whole life.
Sounds totally normal for a 17 month old to me. As for the running - some kids stay close by, and some don't. I think it's more a personality issue than an age one. My first child always stayed close by. My second goes where he wants to go...
15 words at 17 months is a lot. No worries at all there, and be happy he's not yet at the stage where the answer to every single question is NO. :)
Here is a link you can look at to compare as a guide, not that he will be on the same development in all areas.
http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-17-month-olds-physical-d...
One more is below from webmd.com and they are good to use for medical issues and child care, etc.
Your son sounds fine to me though.
Some kids are just runners. I have 3 kids. One wasn't a runner, the other 2 were. One of the runners outgrew it faster than the other one. So there is a whole range of "normal". We had those backpack harnesses for the runners so they could run off all that steam and explore to satisfy their growing minds but they could not get hurt or lost or break something. We never let them replace hand holding and we never let them take the full lead of the leash. But it served to keep them safe when they pulled away or when we'd need 2 hands at the store. They were a God Send!!
As for saying No. We only used the word No when it was dangerous and they needed to stop right that second like running toward the street. Otherwise we used other ways to tell them something wasn't OK. My kids never went through the "No" stage like so many toddlers do. Kids repeat the words they hear all the time so if they are hearing No all the time of course that is what they are going to repeat all the time. If he's talking and picking up new words it doesn't matter what those words are.
He sounds normal to me! Not sure when they start following you around - mine never did that very well! But it's all based on your expectations and how well those are communicated to them. Every kid is different, but I'd say there's no way a 17 month old is going to follow directions like that unless they are quite shy or nervous and clingy. Then they follow you in stores but won't let you leave them with a sitter or preschool!
15 words sounds right. Remember that he's developing skills in some areas and not spending as much time on others. So if he's curious, that's great. If he's not as verbal, that's probably not a problem. One thing that happens is that we moms are SO GOOD at understanding their baby talk or their body language that they never really HAVE to talk. Mine was a non-verbal 16 month old who just grunted when he wanted something - until I said, "Listen, whatever it is in this world that you want, you can have it, if you just say the word and stop that infernal whining." (I know, dumb me, he could have asked for a car!) Anyway, the kid looked right at me and said "COOKIE" and he hasn't shut up since. But instead of talking, he was very active, inquisitive, athletic, coordinated, and more.
As you go along, you may find that he can learn that it's okay to explore in area A but not in area B, or that if he stays with you in Target then you will take him to the playground where he can run around. But he's not there yet. I wish there were rules, but there aren't. Every kid is different - which is why we're all on Mamapedia looking for help! LOL.
What you're going through right now is frustrating but good practice for when he's a pre-teen and won't talk to you or stay with you in a store!
