What s the youngest age you get them to walk?

[torontokids]

I currently have an 18 mos old (mine), 15 mos old, 16 mos old, 3.5 y o (mine), 3.5 yo. I have a spot for Sept that I have been trying to fill. I have turned down a few families with infants because I don't think I am ready for another little one. I would find the program/inside stuff fine but the traveling, walking, park thing scares me with so many little ones. A larger stroller isn't an option (have a triple, it folds up) as I don't have the storage for a runabout etc. Currently the 3 littles ride and the big kids walk. Anyone start having younger 18 mos as a walker? Just trying to figure out logistics.

Thanks!

[apples and bananas]

I find they start walking within weeks of starting at the age of 12 months.

In saying that I think you should stick with your comfort level. The 18 month old would probably be close to being able to walk short distances, but you're still a couple of months off. I would be nervous having 3 in a stroller and 3 walking beside or any age.

Then again, we stick to the back yard a lot of the time. With all of this unlicensed daycare issues in the media I try to keep a low profile.

[torontokids]

The walkers walk along side the stroller holding a strap.

All of my kids are walking...just not when we go out in the community. Part of me wonders how much we will venture out once the snow comes anyways. My 18 mos old is super steady (walking since 10 mos), don't know about snow though or longer distances.

[Momof4]

I start having the children practicing to walk beside the stroller at about 18-20 months while attached to my wrist. But that's just an average. Today at the park my 17 month old dcgirl was walking around holding onto my stroller and since she was walking before she was a year old and is actually bigger than my 23 month old dcb, why not start her at practicing? It takes a few months of practice before they can go in a straight line for a whole block. But all the children are different, some are very clever. I would start your little guy for sure!

[mimi]

In my first daycare year I used to watch Jon and Kate plus 8 just to get inspiration that if she can handle 8, I can surely handle the four I had back then (minus Kate's mood swings and sarcasm) What I did pick up and copy was the holding on a rope while walking idea. My husband took a strong rope (coloured red so the kids would be attracted) and intermittently installed big metal rings for the kids to hold onto. There were 5 rings the first being for me and the rest for the kids giving them enough room for their stride and in case one fell they all wouldn't fall. This worked great for me and the little ones felt secure holding onto something.

[playfelt]

It is also about how much voice control you have of the child - ie how well the child listens and obeys more so than the actual age. If the two year old is going to run off and not stay beside or whatever then into the wagon they go. On a busy road they all ride as I am not prepared to take chances on anything. From my house to park ie a block away on a quiet suburb crescent all but the 15 month old can walk and he probably could but not without holding my hand for balance and that is too hard on my back to be bent over.

[Momof4]

My little ones can NOT run away, they wear the backpacks with the rope attached to my wrist so the practice for my dckids is to walk in a straight line so they don't fall over. I always know that they are safe, no question.

[Judy Trickett]

My kids start walking as soon as they are able to which is generally around 18 mths old. It's actually a pet peeve of mine to see able-bodied kids in a stroller all the time. Drives me nuts when I go to the mall and see 2 yr old's being pushed around all day in a stroller.

I generally have two kids in a stroller and 3 walkers. I do not tether or otherwise attach my walkers to anything. They figure out really quick that I mean business when we walk. When I say 'stop" they stop. Period. I also have a rule that we stay ONLY on the sidewalk. No boulevards, no lawns, no driveways - ONLY the sidewalk. That gives me a 6 to 8 foot cushion should someone decide that today is the day to lose their freaking mind and try to go off the sidewalk. And it doesn't usually happen twice.