3.75 year old DD refuses to walk quickly

[Lillypop]

We all went to the park today for a family walk. It was the first time we've done this, and we're going to start doing it almost daily. The tiniest is in the wrap (he's 6 weeks old), the two toddler boys (22 and 27 months) are in the double stroller, and 5 year old DS will walk alongside us. Our issue is with our 3 year old DD. She refuses to move at any pace other than her own slow stroll.

Today's walk was amended ... just one mile around the track, and it was just me and DP, the newborn in the wrap, one toddler boy in an umbrella stroller, and 3 year old DD. (The other toddler boy was with his dad for today, and our 5 year old was at school). So it was more one-on-one effort on DD to get her to move. No go.

She will be 4 in a few months. She is very healthy and well-sized for her age, even slightly taller/heavier than her peers. She had already had a 2 hour nap earlier in the afternoon, and a good lunch. She is prone to slowness/quick to tears. Very slow to eat/go potty/get dressed/etc. But she needs to be active and be a part of the family!!!

She's too big for the stroller. If either DP or myself holds her hand to hurry her along, she does a fast clompy walk while whining. If we just walk on, she would eventually fall so behind that it wouldn't be safe/she'd be out of sight.

We tried to reason with her. The only response she gave for her lack of speed was, "because."

[no5no5]

I must say, I've never met a 3 year old who'd do anything quickly unless there was a lot of excitement involved. And a mile is an awfully long way for a kid. My 4 year old wouldn't walk quickly for a block without major coaxing (though she'd happily run for several blocks if there was a race involved).

So, if this walk is important to your family, and her keeping up is a safety issue, I think you'll have to think of another option. Is she really too big for a stroller? Can you bring a wagon that she can hop in & out of? Or a trike/bike? Can she stand on the back of the stroller for a while, and then hop off & run? Can you bring a ball that you kick along as you walk? Can you simply slow down and have a more leisurely walk?

[starlein26]

Originally Posted by no5no5

I must say, I've never met a 3 year old who'd do anything quickly unless there was a lot of excitement involved.

[Peony]

I totally agree with the very wise no5no5, she hit it right on with her assessment of a 3 year old. We have one of those as well, DD2 is 3.5 years old, and like a turtle. She has to ride in something if we are going to make it further then a block. Wagons, jogging strollers, and push bikes are all things that we use to help her along so that she rest of us can actually walk instead of standing around trying to move her along.

[snoopy5386]

this is my DD. I dread walking places with her, she stops every 2 seconds to either engage in some imaginary play with the world about her or examine every stick, rock and leaf in our path. It is beyond maddening. I don't mind walking slow, but the constant stopping drives me nuts!! If I'm in a hurry she's in a stroller. A push trike might also work for you.

[mamadelbosque]

My DS1's been walking a mile pretty easily for a year now (he just turned 3), so IMO a 1 mile walk is not 'too far' for a 3 yr old. Theres no option for a stroller on our walk (its in the woods) and he knows I at least can't/won't carry him (because I now have a 7 month old and previously was quite pregnant, so being carried just wasn't/isn't an option).

Personally, I walk my normal speed, encourage him and occasionally stop for him to catch up (I'll walk just to the point where I'm about to be out-of-site, then wait for him to catch up, rinse & repeat).