17 Month Old Won't Pay Attention or Follow Instructions
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Anonymous
| My little guy will be 17 months old in a few days and I am getting a little concerned. He is very active, he started walking at 10 months and now he just runs around everywhere. He won't pay attention and if you call his name and tell him "no" or "stop", he will look back with a mischievous grin and keep doing it anyway or stomp his feet and start screeching/squealing or ignore me until I have to say his name like 5 times. We were at a story time at the library and there was 20 minutes of free play with toys and every other kid sat quietly exploring the toys except for my son, he would run around in circles and knock over the kids blocks and when I tried to push the cars and show him that he can push them around the room, he would pick them up and hand them off to other moms. He took a puzzle and gave all the pieces to a little girl that was sitting with him for a minute. When the teacher started reading a story, it's one that we read at home a lot and he ran up to her, started screeching and trying to rip the book out of her hand. He than proceeded to run to the main part of the library and bang on the glass wall to the computer room so that everyone would turn around. He than found an older boy and they started running up and down on the couches. When I tried to lead him away, he refused to walk. I try to teach him stuff by pointing out animals in books and flash cards but all he wants to do is be silly, i can spend like 10 minutes having him put a colander on my head and laughing hysterically about it. When I say "get your shoes", he will run and hide behind the couch and start laughing and peeking out and saying "boo!". He used to be okay with simple instructions and now it's like he's got selective hearing unless it's time to eat (although his eating has gotten terrible too) or bath time or I'm headed out the room.. At the park he follows around the older kids and babbles and screeches at them. When we ask for kisses now he shakes his head no and if I'm holding him, no other person can try to grab him, he pushes their hands away and squeezes me and yells "mama, mama, mama!" All the other kids seem to be doing stuff like playing quietly with toys , waving hello and goodbye politely (he only gives high fives and if I try to move his hand in a wave he shakes his head no and pushes my hand away), singing nursery rhymes (he only says "mama" and "tata" and "up up" with hands outstretched, the rest is babbling and occasional mimicking of worst), pointing out objects in books during story time and my little guy is busy running around. He's very sweet otherwise, he doesn't hit or bite or push, he loves tickles and tons of people have pointed out that he's pretty happy/good-natured. He likes to flirt with ladies by tilting his head to the side and giving little smiles and than looking away, like a little game. Im 36 weeks pregnant so it may just be pregnancy hormones/anxiety (I had horrible post partum anxiety previously), but I feel like maybe he's showing signs of autism or some other developmental disorder because he runs off, won't sit still to pay attention, doesn't point out pictures nicely in books, point blank refuses to wave bye bye, etc. Has anyone been through this kind of behavior? What are your thoughts? Thanks! |
Anonymous
| totally normal! |
Anonymous
| Because he is 17 mths old...chill... |
Anonymous
I'm sorry, I'm a worrier by nature (and a googler, which is a horrible mix), so i guess I do just need someone to tell me to chill out. I just saw some of the little girls his age pointing and saying things like "pink ball" and pointing out the correct pictures in books and than started googling milestones and of course that led me down a deep dark rabbit hole of "why won't he wave but only give a high five? Why won't he point out pictures and flash cards? Why does he run off and not want to play with toys for more than a minute?" Thanks, I needed the "chill out" comment. |
Anonymous
| Totally normal. Breathe in. Breathe out. Enjoy the stage for what it is -- exploring his world, experimenting with what he can control, etc. (I'm not being snarky. Just breathe.). |
Anonymous
Totally normal. My third child is 19 months. Your description sounds about right for her. I would skip storytime personally
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Anonymous
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He sounds very playful and high energy (which must be a challenge when you are very pregnant!) It also sounds like he's really enjoying interacting and engaging with people right now, so perhaps he's very social or just going through a phase where he's exploring how people react, etc.
Maybe for now focus on activities that are very physical for him (as much as you can, depending on how you feel) or more interactive classes with other kids/people. Maybe your DH can try to tire him out some with some physical games. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Ha, my 9 year old sometimes refuses to pay attention or follow instructions. |
Anonymous
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Oh OP, I chuckled at this thread title. Some day, you will too!
For what it's worth, my first would never wave, do the high five thing, blow kisses, whatever. She was also a late talker (but not delayed). She in kindergarten now, no issues. My second one was doing all those things much, much earlier. Different kids, essentially the same environment. Relax, read and talk to your child, and let him develop at his own pace. The last thing you want is for him to pick up on your anxiety. He's doing just fine! |
Anonymous
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At my son's 18 month checkup, his ped says "does he listen and understand when you say "no"? And by that I mean, does he look stop, look at you, smile, and go ahead and do exactly what you just told him not to do?"
Your son sounds like a delightful and high energy little guy. Try to enjoy it! |
Anonymous
| Your kiddo sounds fine. You sound like you need some help with the anxiety you've identified. Hugs! |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
| Sounds like a great little guy! I would wonder about a 17 month old who did follow all directions! |
Anonymous
+1. My 17-month-old son sounds exactly the same as OP's. I would skip story time and let him burn off energy at the park. |
Anonymous
LOL love this! OP, all I will add is that my DD was exactly like this at this age, and I used to look around and think all the other kids were so chill and mellow and wonder what I was doing wrong. It wasn't until a few years later when she finally started to chill out a little that I noticed that other kids do exactly the same stuff! You just don't notice it when you are so preoccupied with your own kid. |