If someone had told me a few years back that my child would be walking—and nearly running—by just 9 months, I would have thought they were joking. My own childhood experience was characterized by a very cautious approach to mobility. According to my parents, I didn’t take my first steps until I was 18 months old, preferring to crawl and cling tightly to furniture and family for support. There was nothing physically amiss; rather, I was simply a more reserved child.
My first son followed the typical developmental timeline, hitting each milestone right on schedule. However, my second son was a completely different story. With an eager older brother to emulate, he seemed to be on the fast track from the very beginning. Within just a few weeks, he was army crawling, and by 4 months, he was already trying to get up on all fours. Before I knew it, he was speed-crawling by 5 months and pulling himself up at 6 months old, cruising around the furniture at 7 months, and confidently standing on his own by 8 months. At that point, I was left utterly dumbfounded.
As I watched my tiny infant prepare to take his first steps independently, a whirlwind of thoughts rushed through my mind:
- Is this really happening? The first reaction to having an early walker is often disbelief. While in hindsight it seems inevitable, at the moment, it’s hard to accept that your little one is ready to roam.
- Our home is a potential hazard. Once walking begins, it’s time for serious babyproofing. Walkers can access far more dangerous areas than crawlers, and it won’t be long before climbing becomes the next challenge.
- Goodbye to quiet outings. Early walkers tend to be spirited and eager to explore their surroundings. This makes errands more complicated—no, you cannot run barefoot around the grocery store, and I certainly can’t let you wander at the doctor’s office.
- Please, not another comment! The early walking phase becomes a hot topic of discussion, and everyone seems to have an opinion. It’s exhausting to hear, “You’ve got your hands full!” when you’re already aware of the challenges.
- What shoes do I buy? I initially thought I could stick with socks, but once he started walking, it was clear that we needed proper footwear. Off to the store we went, which, surprisingly, was a fun outing—baby shoes are adorable!
- My baby is a little superhero! Once you get past the initial shock, there’s an undeniable sense of pride. Early walkers seem gifted, almost otherworldly.
- Where has my baby gone? Watching your child walk early can indeed tug at your heartstrings. You may yearn for the days when they were small and cuddly, but soon you realize that even these adventurous kids still crave their parents’ affection.
- A potential hazard to others. With a walking baby, you quickly notice that they seem much larger and more rambunctious compared to their peers. You might find yourself giving warnings to other parents about the potential for your child to unintentionally knock theirs over.
As time goes on, you realize that your child is simply a normal kid who happened to walk ahead of schedule. Eventually, all the other children catch up, and you’re no longer the outlier. What’s more important than the milestone itself is recognizing the spirited personality traits of an early walker. My son, now 4 years old, has retained that adventurous spirit, constantly exploring and pushing boundaries.
In the end, whether your child walks early or late, the milestone isn’t as significant as we often think. However, for all of us parents of early walkers, the astonishment and awe of watching our tiny babies zoom off sooner than expected will always stand out in our minds.
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Summary
Early walkers can be a source of both joy and concern for parents. From the shock of their child’s rapid development to the challenges of navigating a house filled with newfound risks, the experience can be overwhelming but ultimately rewarding. Embracing the unique traits of an early walker can help parents appreciate this exciting milestone.