to think that, if your legs are hurting, you move?

[SenseofEntitlement]

Dd1 is four and in reception. She is normally very clever. However, we are starting to have a problem with her telling us she is going to play in another room or have a nap or whatever, then hiding. Of course, if we don't know she is hiding, it can be a short while till we find her. The thing is, she will stay in the hiding place, no matter how uncomfortable, until she is found. We have had to lift her, still curled up, on to the bed and massage her legs while she cries to get her moving again. She has also had the teachers worrying that she has escaped because she didn't answer when called and was hiding too well until they actually found her.
Argh. How do you explain the rules of hide and seek, such as telling people that you are playing it in the first place?

stepaway Yes :(

I didn't even think of that. I was a child of the seventies and am a hardened veteran of fucking terrifying informative public information films about adult strangers and abandoned fridges on waste-grounds surrounding tower blocks.

Santa Santa Santa. She needs to break the habit and now is a most opportune time. Get some Jingle Bells for a couple of quid from ELC and ring them periodically to let her know that HE is watching. Or get an Elf on the Shelf - whatever works.

My DD has been getting registered in Yr 7 tutor group then skipping lessons which is equally dangerous as she has a serious medical condition and MUST BE where she SHOULD BE for her safety so I am full of advice today

I don't make parenting decisions or harbour parenting worries based on what happens to that poor little boy. And anyone who does is making a bad mistake.

Okay seeker

yup, no need to seeker I merely posted as a reminder that a child getting 'lost / hiding' is not to be brushed away as not an dangerous issue as you suggested, in some cases it actually could be! good enough reason for most parents to be a bit vigilant as to their child whereabouts IMO

Seeker - My sister lost her 2 year old in a large shop just before the fire alarm went off. Horrendous experience.

It does sound like she is doing it for the attention, and to test that you miss her and love her, and are happy/relieved/give her attention when you find her.

How about acting completely bored when you find her, dealing with her achey legs, but as if it is a normal, everyday thing you are doing, rather than giving her lots of cuddles etc (which is what I assume you would be doing at the moment).

Maybe then she'll get bored of it.

My DD1 is also 4 and is suddenly very clingy - it may just be just an increased level of self awareness and seeing their mums as more independant beings that they were previously aware of?

Good luck with it.

3littlefrogs - :( x many.