Running Away...

[RunningMomTegan]

I generally am one to let natural consequences teach their lesson, but my son (22 MO) has recently started a habit that is downright unsafe.

He LOVES to run away and be chased down. At the park, in the mall, wherever. So far he's doing okay in parking lots, etc, because we've ALWAYS held hands in those places.

But running away is such a scary habit, and chasing him down only encourages it. That's what he wants - to be chased. When I get to him, I hold him and sternly say, "we do NOT run away in strange places!" or "we stay close to mama!"

Any thoughts on techniques to help him learn to distinguish when chasing is acceptable (when we're playing "Go Daddy" or "Go Mama", which is our name for chase inside) and when it's not???

I'm so afraid he's going to run at the wrong time into the wrong place! I even think to myself, "man, if I thought spanking was even remotely acceptable or appropriate at this age, this would be the moment!".

I'm just stressed about what to do! THANKS!

[mom2grrls]

I don't know that there's really a way to explain it at this age, you just prevent it the best you can. Make sure he's in a stroller, sling or attached to an adult in a public place. He will grow out of it though eventually

[mom23kidsinutah]

My 2 year old daughter does the same thing. She will run off when we are playing outside and try to climb the stairs to go home. Or she will run off down the cement pathway to the street. It is scary. I usually have to have my older son chase her down. I am thinking about getting one of those bear backpacks with the sling.

[tinuviel_k]

At that age my Ergo Baby Carrier was my friend. If were were walking in an area where running was a problem I'd pop her right into the Ergo on my back. If I didn't have it I always held her hands if it looked like she was in the mood to run.

I also made sure we had plenty of appropriate "run and chase" time at the park, where I'd laugh and giggle and have a great time. The if she ran away in an unsafe are and I used my "no" voice it was quite obvious that mama was not playing around.

Eventually she outgrew it, or developed an understanding of when it was okay to run, and it ceased to be a problem.

[Letitia]

I think there is something close to a natural consequence. DS, 22mo, is going through the same thing. Fine in the house. Not safe at our park. I just tell him that if he runs away, that means he is not safe to be out of the stroller in the park. Seems very natural to me, and totally truthful on my part. It works very well for him and he spends very little time in the stroller, but I do always have it on hand.

I do think there are two different kinds of running away. DD when she was this age and younger would just bolt, FAST, after whatever looked interesting, or for who knows what reason. I didn't have two to chase then, so I just payed a lot of attention to her and chased her. DS is different - he looks, makes sure you're watching, then takes off with this glint in his eye giggling. And he's most apt to do it if I ask him to come over. I think if he were doing the impulsive bolting it would be harder.

[jen&james]

I agree with Letitia. I used that tecnique with me 5 yr old when he was 2 and now my youngest is 2 and is doing the same thing. You just have to be sure you always have a stroller. they do grow out of it. It is just really frustrating in the mean time.