Anthony’s legs and little Ming.
Ming didn’t walk until he was 18 months old. There was no warning; he didn’t crawl or bum-slide or even stand first. He simply went from sitting to walking, to running, to running away, all in the space of a single day. (Actually, it was a single hour).
On that eventful day, I sat him on the grass as I hung out the washing. He liked to sit and play with the wooden pegs and would happily do so for ages. So I thought nothing of going back inside to make myself a cup of coffee.
I’d just filled the kettle when I heard a shriek and, terrified, I dashed outside, thinking, snake? spider? My panic increased dramatically when I saw that Ming wasn’t where I’d plonked him just moments ago. Unable to comprehend this, I stood stock still and listened intently. Another shriek, just behind me and I whirled around only to spot Ming hiding behind a tree adjacent to the clothesline and giggling with delight. And he was standing up!
“Ming!” I exclaimed, running towards him, at which he shrieked again and toddled away, his fat little legs wobbling with the unfamiliar movement. Stunned, I watched him take around 15 steps before falling gently onto his behind.
I rushed up to him. “You’re walking!” It was my turn to shriek with delight. I sat down beside him on the grass but he immediately got up again and began to run, his laughter filling the air.
And so began Ming’s tearaway phase. It didn’t matter where we were – at home, at the park, visiting friends, he would do just that – tear away, as fast as he could. This phase lasted exactly a year and nearly drove us insane with worry because if we weren’t holding tightly to his hand – something Ming hated – he’d be off! With a channel running through our property, and an unfenced yard, Anthony and I had to take turns doing ‘Mingwatch.’
Of course it was much worse if I took Ming into town to shop. He would not stay by my side for an instant, wanting always to dash away, looking for adventure. I was terrified he’d run onto a road or that I’d lose him in the supermarket crowd. Finally, Anthony and I agreed we needed to buy a child restraint.
This “leash” got us plenty of dirty looks (mostly from parents of clingy children, I thought jealously). And once, walking through a crowd of Japanese tourists with Ming straining desperately against the white leather harness, we became (much to my embarrassment) the subject of enormous hilarity, and curious pointing fingers.
Ming was nearly three when the leash was finally discarded. We’d all – even Ming – become so used to it that it came as a shock one morning when, harnessing him up for a day in town, he quietly said, “I’m gonna buy a new mummy for twenny dollars if you doan let me fwee [free].”
His tone was ominous.
I took the leash off tentatively. “You won’t run away?” I asked nervously.
Ming grinned acquiescence and willingly took my hand. “Thassa good mummy,” he said.
jmgoyder 
LOL Who is training whom? Ha, ha!
That is a pertinent question for NOW!
awwww that is so sweet of story, and he was just the cutest baby!!!!!
He still thinks he is cute – oh well I guess he is sort of!
of course he is, he is your baby!!!!
Yes the little ones that surprises us today… by the way how did the drivers test go.???
It’s not for another hour or so – I am biting my fingernails!
Oh…..that story is just priceless.
Some of his childhood comments and expressions you’ve share sound so incredibly ‘adult’ and ‘mature’. I suppose that comes of being around adults and having no little brothers & sisters to copy.
He was obviously speaking ‘adult’ language copied from you and Anthony?????
Ha!
Surely not from us! hehe
What a little angel this little Ming was. I so wish I could remember more of when my babies were young and unrulely. I love reading you Jules
I scribbled down a lot of stuff he said when he was young – otherwise I may not have remembered in such detail!
my youngest son was like that–I was forever chasing him–I tried a leash once — it was a miserable failure
Isn’t it funny how some kids are clingy and others are the opposite!
so true
a very sweet story Julie – it brought back memories of when my daughter was little ❤
Was she a tearaway too?
There are some grown ups who could do with a contraption like that too.
Agreed!
What a wonderful story. I always say I can not lose my son, even if I tried. It’s true. He won’t wander far, but my daughter is another story. She’ll follow her whims and be lost in a heartbeat.
~FringeGirl
Both of your children are so delightful!
He has always been a remarkable boy with his own mind…Good for him (and that picture of him is adorable!!)
Yes, he was very cute with his pumpkin face!
oh, how sweet. I simply loved this.
I got so many dirty looks!!!!
I can imagine. Does not make you a “bad mommy” when you are trying to prevent your son from being killed by his own exuberance!
hahahaha!
Now this brought back some memories as I had a leash for my girls and they had to wear it if they wouldn’t stay with me I would take it with me and the first time they tried to take off on went the harness.
Ha – I am glad I am not the only one who tried this!
What an adorable picture. Your leash story brought back memories for me too. 🙂
Bo was only two when we moved from Scotland to South Texas and he’d started walking very early so I had reigns for him. My mother-in-law and her family told me I was treating him like a dog. But when anyone asked Bo where he was from he’d say, Mexico! I was terrified he’d get lost and end up in Mexico.
Ah glad I’m not the only one!
What a wonderful story. What a good idea that you wrote down the things when he was young. So many stories in my family have been lost through time.
Ming reminds me … about myself – or at least the stories that has been told about me. Just the same – talked to anyone .. very late walker … and not afraid of anything. I was born as a 3 months baby .. absolute massive, poor mum. Love the story .. and he was a very cute baby.
I bet you were a real cutie!
I think I was very likeness Ming both as a kid and teenager – cute or not.
Really? Only twenny?? LOL That’s brilliant!!
I used to wonder about parents who used a leash, until I met my gs. He was a lot like Ming, and loved to see what was happening somewhere else, and refused to hold my hand. We almost resorted to the leash. My grandma said our dad got hit by a car when he followed his sibs to school when he was 2. After that she tied him to a tree in the yard. lol
I never see anyone using one these days!
What a scamp!
~Lynda
These stories are so spankin’ cute! I don’t know how you ever disciplined such an adorable child. I would have spoiled him rotten!
Oh he was very spoiled and not naughty (until now haha!)
What a cute baby he was! And what a great story. My oldest just finished his driver’s training and it has me thinking about him as a little guy too. It’s so hard to believe that little baby is now driving a car. Where does the time go?
I found the high school years just flew by!
What a gorgeous baby he was! This is a lovely story. None of mine were ever ‘runners’ but I did have a friend with one who would put him on a leash – best invention ever! 😀
Ming is so cute, funny how you can see the similarity to how he is now.. i used to think leases were so mean , from a child’s point but i think it gives freedom and safety. he was born with wisdom that little character!
What a character, right from the start. My mom wanted me to walk before my first birthday. I took my first step the day after my birthday. I think she’s still angry about that.
I’ve seen little children in the harnesses and think nothing ill toward the parents. Only because I had five myself. Hey, we parents do what we have to do! 🙂 …no matter how old they are…
Lovely story!
Oh, what an adorable baby!
Those little legs can carry them away so surprisingly fast! Cute story.
Now that is too funny! What a little smartie pants 😛
Such a cute photo! 😀 And love the story – what a surprise it must have been, haha