My toddler wont stop moving?

Question

i know that everyone will say this is normal, but i have to ask for my own peace of mind. my son is 16 months and has been walking/running for a few months. he LOVES to explore. i have the first floor almost entirely open for him to roam free. we also have a room that has a gate and doors to 'lock' him in when i am cooking or doing anything he cannot be part of. usually i let him even wander off on his own. we have an old house with creeks, so i know what room and where his is even when i cannot see him. occasionally he gets into the toilet paper or the dvd's, but usually he doesnt cause any trouble. a very good boy. however, he is always on the move. he will sit and 'read' for probably 5-10 minutes at a time, but then he gets back up and continues to walk. im not even worried about his TV time...he will probably sit and watch about 30 mins total throughout the day. i dont think he's ever actually watched a whole show. i know i should see this as a wonderful thing but instead i am worried he is "adhd". i am not a firm believer in the whole 'add' sensation these days...but could that be it? is it completely normal and am i over thinking his behavior? he is always happy, our friends are jealous :) he doesnt respond to "no"....but its not that he doesnt know what i mean, he just doesnt care. he almost never lets me hold his hand, even when attempting to walk down stairs! am i giving him too much freedom at such a young age? he hates to be locked in one room. i just dont know.

Answer 1

He does not have adhd! Too many people worry about this. It is amazing that he will sit down for 5-10 min to read or for a whole 30 min to watch tv! My son would never do this! And I have a child that people are also jealous of. Very well behaved but non stop energy!  A 16 month old is learning independence. He needs to know you are there if he needs you, but he can figure it out for himself, and know that you are proud of him. If a child hears the word no enough time they will start to tune it out, much like my husband does my voice...same thing. Try redirecting or let do this instead, or this is not ok, or get him something else out to destroy other than your dvds, like blocks that he only gets every once in a while so that they alway hold his interest when you bring them out. Like a new toy does.  

Answer 2

Let your spirited child explore, provided he is out of danger.  I think it is far too early to worry about ADHD.  You could try to give him more "hands on" activities to try to keep him busy - like blocks, or big colourful books with pop ups.  And never worry about TV time, be glad your child prefers not to be a couch potato.

Answer 3

He sounds like my son, very adventurous and very inquisitive. I wouldn't worry about it. he is just being a baby, growing and learning about all the cool stuff around the house. I would definitely not worry about ADHD. Kids are balls of energy. They are supposed to be running around and going crazy, that is how they burn it off. Relax, everything is fine. He sounds very smart and independent, which is a good thing. I hate when parents are up their kid's butts constantly. Good for you for allowing him to explore. And don't worry about ADHD - he seems totally fine to me!!

Good luck and relax :-D

Answer 4

You should get psychiatric help to put you on medicne so that normal one year old behavior doesn't make you insane like this. Better yet,  just give him over to the state for foster care, so he can grow up normal.

Answer 5

so...you're worried that you're son is "adhd" because he is a healthy, happy child that loves to explore!?  yes, you really ARE over thinking it.  

Answer 6

He sounds like an independent young thing, already!  That's great!  My daughter was the same way.  In the long run, you would rather them be curious and extroverted than clingy and whiny...Consider yourself lucky!!

Answer 7

You must not have had a whole lot of experience with toddlers before you got pregnant!  This is the essence of toddlerdom.  I would be much more worried if he DID sit still!   Don't worry!