There must be other parents out there with runaway toddlers. I know I am one. My son disappeared for ten minutes in a store when he went shopping with his grandparents.
Anytime my son has the opportunity to get free, he runs off. He runs away from us in stores, in the back yard and even in the house. He is just hyper and wanting to burn energy by running around. He doesn’t realize the dangers involved with running off away from adult supervision.
We’ve taken several precautions in order to protect my son. We hold his hand firmly when we allow him to walk with us when we are out at a store. I purchased a harness with a leash, which I was at first apprehensive about. Once my son was missing in a store, I decided the leash was necessary for his safety when I have him in a crowded place.
In stores such as a marketplace or grocery store, I use a shopping cart to contain my son. It gives him freedom but doesn’t allow him to run off. It is also much easier on my back than carrying him, which is always my back up plan.
I know that my son thinks it is fun to run off and I wish I could teach him the importance of staying close to us. He doesn’t see the danger in running off. I do believe he is simply too hyper to walk calmly beside us. He just sees a place to run around and takes off.
Punishing my son for running off hasn’t helped. I’ve even put him in time out in the corner of a clothing store. It just doesn’t sink in that there is danger in his behavior.
While I realize there are parents who have toddlers who walk calmly with them and stay by their side, I am not one. I believe my son may suffer from ADHD but that doesn’t eliminate my fear of him getting lost, hurt or even taken from me if he runs off.
I do understand why my son runs off but, as his parent, I must do everything to protect him. For any other parents out there who have runaway toddlers, I do feel for you. It is stressful and takes great care to protect our children.
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