The toddler who just won't sit still, runs away & is generally hyper

[Anonymous]

Sounds like someone could make money with a Parkour for Active Toddlers class or some such.

[Anonymous]

Some kids are active - especially once they've found their legs. This is very typical. Try doing activities that allow him to vent his energy rather then expect him to sit still. Follow through and be consistent on having him listen to you (he's probably a bit young for time outs, but natural consequences work well).

Our oldest was the type of toddler that needed to run around, jump, leap, climb, etc and could walk 3/4 of a mile to the library as long as I kept him engaged (had to be consistent with hand holding or holding onto the stroller as well). Tons of energy. If he was unable to get that energy out, it often turned into a discipline issue. He's evened out now at 4 (although he is still an active kid).

[Anonymous]

This sounds like a normal boy. Get used to it. It gets much better around 3.

[Anonymous]

18:52 here again - our boys are now 4 and 2 and we actually make it a point to "run them around" for a good hour or so each day. Take them out to the yard and play "dodgeball" which really means mommy and daddy throw the ball to each other while the kids run around screaming like maniacs. A tired boy is a quiet boy.

[Anonymous]

Its not a boy thing. That makes it harder on girls who are active. DD is all over the place at 22 months and has been this way for a year. She started walking and never stopped! She has lots and lots of energy. I make sure to "run her out" before we come home in the evenings. I agree that people with laidback kids don't understand.

[Anonymous]

1. Get a mini trampoline
2. Get a Rody
3. Get a little tunnel to crawl through
4. Get a beanbag chair to climb on/sprawl on/flop on
5. Get a laundry basket, fill it with heavy stuff and have him help you push it from one end of the living room to another.
6. Then get outside twice a day, every day, for a good hour of feet-on-the-ground running and climbing (i.e., time in the stroller doesn't count as outside time; time pushing the stroller himself does.) If he wants to climb things that are "too big" for him, let him try. Spot him, help him, coach him. Better he (and you) learn his limitations and abilities under supervision than when he tries the fireman pole while your back is turned.

- Mom of two boys who are politely described as "active"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Get a mini trampoline
2. Get a Rody
3. Get a little tunnel to crawl through
4. Get a beanbag chair to climb on/sprawl on/flop on
5. Get a laundry basket, fill it with heavy stuff and have him help you push it from one end of the living room to another.
6. Then get outside twice a day, every day, for a good hour of feet-on-the-ground running and climbing (i.e., time in the stroller doesn't count as outside time; time pushing the stroller himself does.) If he wants to climb things that are "too big" for him, let him try. Spot him, help him, coach him. Better he (and you) learn his limitations and abilities under supervision than when he tries the fireman pole while your back is turned.

- Mom of two boys who are politely described as "active"

All WONDERFUL advice. (except that I don't have a Rody)

My 2 year old boy is like that - Never Stops Moving. Ever.

I think you have to respect that. And try to work with it. Help him expect energy as best you can!

[Anonymous]

My son is just like yours and he was recently diagnosed with an austism spectrum disorder. Your child might be totally normal, but he might be having issues. The fact that he does not take part in group activities when you take him to classes might be a sign of issues/delays in social skills. Is your child talking? Initially, I thought my son was just an hyperactive boy until he had speech delays which is when I took him to a developmental pediatrician who diagnosed him with an autism spectrum disorder.

[Anonymous]

My son was like that. The 18-24 months old period was awfull (the worst) and I remember asking myself "why would you even think of having another one?"
Now he's 4,5 yo, incredibly well behaved ( as much as I think I was for nothing in his incontrolable phase, I'm for nothing in this big change either) and quiet when needed, I'm the first surprised.
So OP, hang on and , if I may, congrats for your energetic, curious son who enjoys life!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is just like yours and he was recently diagnosed with an austism spectrum disorder. Your child might be totally normal, but he might be having issues. The fact that he does not take part in group activities when you take him to classes might be a sign of issues/delays in social skills. Is your child talking? Initially, I thought my son was just an hyperactive boy until he had speech delays which is when I took him to a developmental pediatrician who diagnosed him with an autism spectrum disorder.

If she were talking about her 4 or 5 year old child, this statement would be accurate. But 18 month olds are not meant to sit still and listen to an adult "teach them" in a "class." So we shouldn't be surprised when they don't sit there and listen. Let them do what they do naturally which is to play and move around. At that age, they shouldn't be expected to do much else. There is no way that my son would sit there and listen to some random person talk at 18 months old. He is a perfectly normal 6 year old now.

[Anonymous]

I agree to skip the classes. With my DS, I often try to just find a large field and let him run. He's thrilled to just run up and down the length of a soccer field. Sometimes, he'll actually even be interested in kicking a ball.

Sometimes 'active' has a negative connotation, but I don't really think that's fair. It's not bad that he's active. It's just a part of who he is.

Especially at 18 months, there is no way my son would have sat through a class. Most of those classes are 45 minutes and that is a LONG time for a toddler.

Even at age 3 at preschool, they seem to do things in 20 minute increments. The kids seem to need a change of activity every 20 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is just like yours and he was recently diagnosed with an austism spectrum disorder. Your child might be totally normal, but he might be having issues. The fact that he does not take part in group activities when you take him to classes might be a sign of issues/delays in social skills. Is your child talking? Initially, I thought my son was just an hyperactive boy until he had speech delays which is when I took him to a developmental pediatrician who diagnosed him with an autism spectrum disorder.

If she were talking about her 4 or 5 year old child, this statement would be accurate. But 18 month olds are not meant to sit still and listen to an adult "teach them" in a "class." So we shouldn't be surprised when they don't sit there and listen. Let them do what they do naturally which is to play and move around. At that age, they shouldn't be expected to do much else. There is no way that my son would sit there and listen to some random person talk at 18 months old. He is a perfectly normal 6 year old now.

I agree with this. Not that it's not good to be aware of the signs of autism, but at age 18 months, I feel it's normal to not have a child (boy or girl) take part in a 'group activity'.

[Anonymous]

At 18 mos, my son would listen to a 2-minute story (I'm talking a Sandra Boynton on a good day). Now at a little over 2, he'll listen to me read for 45 minutes or an hour. It is remarkable how much his attention span has grown in the last 6-9 mos. 18 mo olds are not meant for classes. Those classes are for the moms to get out and socialize. Seriously. Don't give it a second thought. Now when he's the only second grader who can't stay on task at school, ok, but at 18 mos, give him freedom to run around.

[Anonymous]

When I get together with friends w kids, all of us with toddler boys spend the entire time chasing our boys trying to prevent injuries and calamities. Meanwhile, friends with toddler girls sit around chatting while their toddler girls play with any random toy for what seems to be hours. It's a total generalization, and not all boys and Girls fit in this mold...but it's true for alot of folks. I have brothers so I think that prepared me a little but it does take much patience, understanding, creativity and energy!

[Anonymous]

STOP stereotyping! It is not a "BOY" thing. Some children are more active/restless than others, specially at this age. It is totally normal OP.