We are entering the stage where Monkey would much rather walk himself than be walked around in his buggy. I knew this day would come so was making the most of going for long walks with him sat comfortably, for as long as I could. But, alas, no more.

The problem with walking with a toddler (as I am sure many of you mums already know) is that you don’t really get anywhere! He takes a step and then sees, I don’t know, a blade of grass that he finds interesting. I’m 100% serious with this, my friend and I were laughing the other day because he was waving this blade of grass around like it was the best thing ever! He takes another step and then sees a sign that he must go and read, or a bollard he must touch. Even when he falls forwards, he’s not worried about whether he’s hurt his hand, the stones in the pavement are far too interesting for him to get back up straight away!

It is hilarious, but very time consuming. The problem is though, that you cannot lapse your concentration for even a second as if you do, that will be the split second where he suddenly decides to move those little legs very fast towards danger, such as a road. Honestly, one second of turning your head to listen to a friend, turn back and yipes, run mummy run! I know I am not alone in this as I was driving the other day and saw a mum legging it after her little one to catch him before he got to the road!

We are lucky where live in that there is lots of places I can free him from his buggy restraint, where he can wander without worrying about roads. But then there is always other things to keep your mummy hawks eye on the look out for, such as (but not limited to) dog poo, bird poo, the dog poo bins, brambles and other spiny bushes, rubbish, fag ends, bees.. oh I could go on!

For the walks nearer roads we have bought him a cute little giraffe backpack that you can attach a cord too to help keep him close. It does work, though Monkey isn’t a huge fan, but honestly, am I the only mum who thinks it makes it feel like he’s a dog on a leash? I don’t know, there’s just something weird about it, but I do very much see the point in it and am not going to let that stop me using it. His safety is what matters at the end of the day and well it just doesn’t even bear thinking about!

So, thankfully I am not very often in a rush to get anywhere (at least, not when he is allowed out of his buggy) as we really don’t get anywhere whilst on a stroll together! Thankfully, for the moment anyway, he still quite likes being pushed about in a trolley at the supermarket. I’m not sure I’m ready for the constant temptation for a toddler that is on those supermarket shelves within easy reach of his little fingers… 🙂

The upside of this new stage is that he is quite easy to entertain at the moment, as long as the weather isn’t too bad. Just get him outside and there is a whole world of things waiting to attract his attention for a few seconds each. I may have to watch like a hawk but at least he is happy. A happy monkey makes for a happy mummy 🙂