Keeping up outdoors

[triana1326]

So DD is desperate to get outside and play, as am I. I really want to get out there and enjoy the early spring. One problem - she's faster than I am (I'm 33 weeks pregnant and slow to begin with) and there's nothing stopping her from running out into the road. She won't stop when I tell her to because she thinks I'm chasing her for fun. Money is tight, so fencing and paying someone to chase after her is really not an option. i try to keep her interested in various things, but nothing seems to be working, esp. when a person or dog go walking by. Today, after trying yet again to be outside, we only managed 10 minutes before I had to come back in, with her screaming and crying, and me bawling because I just can't chase after her. Please help me! I'm so tired and slow...and desperate to get out in the sunshine!

[slgt]

Oh mama, I feel your pain! I'm 29 weeks and am realizing that I.cannot.keep.up with DD (26 mos.). Luckily we live rurally, quite far from the road - but when we go hiking I can't move quickly enough to keep her from plowing through the mud puddles.

We went out to the mailbox today - her, sprinting down the driveway with me meandering behind. I suddenly realized that she was getting close to the road. We've been working very hard on how she has to hold my hand any time there are cars nearby, and luckily that worked. That's my only suggestion - be very consistent about having some rules related to the road?

Or are there parks nearby where you can take her for several hours a day? I'm struggling with playgrounds - DD is not yet old enough to be by herself on the tall equipment, but I'm getting a bit creaky to be trying to chase her up there!

[mommariffic]

Me! Right here! Feel your pain!

I'm 32 weeks now, and I just can't do it man. I'm actually afraid to take DD [who's 2 1/2] anywhere "busy" because I can't chase her. We have decent little playground down the road she's happy in, and luckily our yard ism mostly fenced so I can just say "GO GET EHM KID!"

DD is good at hand holding [we live in an urban area, so she has no choice really..] but it gets exhausting. We go out in short bursts, and I try to get as much help in possible to run her around.

[lifeguard]

Is there a place close by where you can be with her safely & give her space to run? I personally see no problem with using a harness or wrist leash to keep toddlers who run close in unsafe situations but that is obviously not ideal for being outside playing.

Even if you needed to drive to a playground at least you'd be able to relax some while she has some freedom to move.