Disabled mommas? How do you manage your toddlers?

[~~Sarah~~]

Forgive me if there's a more PC word for "disabled", but I find myself once again crippled with hip problems due to another pregnancy. I've dusted off "ole trusty" (my cane) and she is back in regular usage. I'm trying to figure out how it is possible to manage both being able to walk and a fast moving (or non-moving, depending on the situation of course) 22 month old. I can't push a stroller and use my cane... I can use my "monster" stroller as a steadying device - but it will not fit in the majority of stores in my city, much less a bus. I can take DD by the (non-cane-holding) hand but I am hardly able to carry her anymore in the case of difficult road crossings and such. Not to mention the logistics of having to move quickly, in case she gets away from me...

Ideas? Help?

[~~Sarah~~]

bump.

someone? anyone?

[marinak1977]

sorry, I don't have any advice. I just wanted to respond with a That must be so tough to keep up with a little fast moving one.
Oh, just a though - have you considered a harness? At least that prevents you from having to chase after her in unsafe situations.

[Katico]

Oh gosh, that's hard   I know it's difficult enough to wrangle a toddler and your bag when pregnant (or not pregnant!  haha) , adding in trouble walking must be so frustrating!

I think a harness is a good idea to prevent her running and not being able to catch her.  Maybe a wagon would be easier for some situations?  

[SomethingAnonymous]

When I was 5 wks pregnant with my first baby I got in a car accident and ended up spending 3 years on and off in the hospital reconstructing my leg.  I only started walking again in early 2009 when I was pregnant with my son.  So I know what you mean.  My daughter is 4 and my son is 22 months.  I can walk, but for limited amounts of time and I can't run or stand a long time.  Plus I'm still trying to heal my body from all the trauma of the 25 surgeries and 3 years of antibiotics for the bone infection I had.  I wish I had a good answer for you, but I still struggle every day trying to keep up with everything. 

I've found playing on the floor is helpful.  When I was at a point when I couldn't chase after my daughter I just wouldn't take her into a situation where it would be dangerous to lose control of her.  I had to have a lot of help from my parents and my partner. I still do.  In fact this morning I have been debating whether or not to try to take the kids to the store by myself or not.  I'm not sure if I've ever tried to have both kids with me in public.  Sorry my response isn't very helpful at all... but I was just letting you know you aren't alone.

[beep]

I am a wheelchair user with a toddler.  I find that using a harness helps, though I worry that the OP might be pulled off balance by a kid pulling againhst a harness.  I also just pick my places and times for outings carefully, and keep my son sitting down on my lap much of the time (I can't manage a stroller).  How about grocery shopping, OP, does using the cart help?  That might be one way to manage on some outings.  I also think that teaching about staying close to mama is a good long-term strategy although it doesn't solve the safety problem in the short term.

[~~Sarah~~]

Thanks for the replies! I was starting to think I was alone... which, of course is not possible but young people don't commonly sport canes. 

The update with me is that I actually have found some relief with a good chiropractor. I still use the cane, but not all-day-every-day anymore. My issue is random enough that I have to have the cane with me at all times so that I don't end up stranded somewhere unable to move. 

My coping techniques are pretty much that I don't leave the house with my toddler alone. Except if she's strapped into the monster stroller or it's just to the (newly acquired and life saving) car. I would consider using a harness but she would never put up with it - ever put a cat in a harness? You know how they lay flat and pretend to be paralyzed? yeah... She'll never be a stay-close-to-momma kid. This kid would comfortably and happily crawl 15 yards away from me (in an enclosed safe area) in the dark at 6 months old... she would have gone further too. Our grocery stores are cramped enough to not fit shopping carts (big city) so for now it's pretty much "you take her or I go alone". 

Postpartum will likely be hellish and my DH goes gack to work around that time. It took me three months to regain the majority of my mobility last time, but this time I will have a two-year-old as well... which brings us to the time when no one can walk around here due to the snow. ugh. One thing at a time right?