How to get my two year old to watch where he's going?

Question

He has this awful habit of tripping me up when I'm walking! I don't know whether to tell him to move out of my walk or just run him over, lol. But on a serious note, when I'm carrying my two month old I don't want to fall down because my two year old steps out right where I'm stepping. Yesterday he was running in circles and ran right into me! I have an inner ear infection that gives me vertigo....I fell down. I was upset but I don't know if I should really get upset with him or if I should let it go when he does things like that. Most of the time I say, "Hey buddy, watch where you are going" in serious tone but not in a mean way.

What do you do when your child doesn't watch where he/she is going? How do you get them to pay attention to where they are stepping?

Answer 1

there isn't much you can do about it at that age, my son is the same way drives me crazy. the only thing you can do is watch where YOUR going, and hopefully that prevent a crash. They usually don't pick up on this stuff until 3 years of age...

Answer 2

Ha!  Glad to see I'm not the only one!  lol  My daughter is almost 4, and loves to walk in the grocery store by herself (next to me, of course).  However, there are times she wants to walk backwards for the fun of it, or she'll be watching the wheels on the cart instead of what's in front of her as she's walking.  I'm constantly telling her to watch where she's walking, cuz she doesn't realize she may be almost knocking into a rack of items or another shopper.  I don't really know any other solution at the moment, other than for you, making your 2 yr. old hold your hand so he stays next to you while walking and not in front of you or around you.  I wouldn't get upset about it, other than maybe mentioning to him that when he isn't careful, he can hurt other people like mommy and baby, or himself also.

Answer 3

You practice it.  When you're out with him walking get his attention for a minute and work with him to practice where and how he needs to walk when your together.  Tell him that he needs to stay on your left (or right, which ever you prefer) side, then practice.  You can do something like "Okay, we're going to practice how both of us should walk when we go out.  (position him at your side) I'll stay on this side of you and you'll stay on this side of me.  Do you understand?  Let's practice.  Let's walk from here over to (whatever it is) and back and see how we do."  And you practice.  Make a correction or two, practice again, and let him know you're excited to try it.  

Keep it low pressure for him, but take the extra time initially to teach him how to walk with you and to practice it.  Yeah, you'll have to practice it a few times, but taking that extra time to begin with will save you a lot of extra time later.

Answer 4

This, of course, like all the other annoying things 3 year olds do, is totally normal.  Mine does it too, god love him.  I think the best thing to do is to, first, pay way more attention yourself, knowing this is common, especially when he's running around nearby and you're carrying the baby.  And let him fall down or run him over intentionally to allow him to learn personally why to watch where you're going.  He probably doesn't understand the concept and it would be easier to experience the 'whys' (don't hurt him, just a little stun, of course....blessing of a skinned knee) around why to not just watch where he is going - because he probably thinks he is - but to be careful where you are stepping and to slow down around other people, etc.  That may work after a while.  of course, we ahve to remind them a dozen times a day for a dozen days before they truly get it.  :)

Answer 5

haha my nephew who is two always runs into things, falls over things, trips, he constantly has bruises all over his face and body! After watching him and his parents, I really don't think there is much more you can do other than sitting him down after he runs into you and telling him that he needs to try to pay attentnion, you could "fall down" the next time he runs into you and start play crying, to teach him that when he's not watching where he's going he can hurt someone, then talk to him about it and explain it, maybe that would stick in his head a little longer than just a stern watch out buddy. lol good luck though!

Answer 6

You can only ask him to be careful and watch where he is going. He is probably just trying to make sure he is near you. This is how some kids are. Be happy some people can not stop their kids from running away.

Miley Love

Answer 7

There isn't much you can do...he's only 2.  I would just keep telling to to watch where he's going.

if it makes you feel any better, my 5 year old still does that sometimes.

Answer 8

You poor thing.  I too get vertigo form ear infections.  How awful.

Did your little guy see you fall?  If that didn't scare him into watching where he was going, I don't think anything will!!  Just keep reminding him, "Watch out, kiddo.  You're going to make Mommy fall again".  Tell him  what will happen to his baby if you fall holding her.  I know how a two year old loves their new baby, so maybe this will encourage him to be moe careful.  

I hope you feel better soon!