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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

At my wits end with DD5

170 replies

vanillachoc · 22/04/2026 16:21

DD can be a major arsehole when we are out. And it’s very much the majority of the time - I’ve been battling this for years and she just won’t stop. She runs away from me during school pickup, across the playground and then once I manage to lure her out (only by peer pressure from her sensible friends walking out on their own like perfect angels) she runs without stopping across multiple roads. It’s fucking infuriating. Nobody else’s kids do it. I can’t run after her as I always have DS (5 months) in the pram. Before that me or DH would just have to bomb it after her, pick her up and carry her home screaming. She also does it in the park when it’s time to leave, will just run away laughing until I drag her out by the wrist, and then she hangs onto the railings and won’t move. Can no longer carry her due to having the pram and her weight. Pretending to go without her doesn’t work either - she’ll just say bye and run off. I’ve gotten to the end of the path before and she doesn’t care. I’ve taken things off of her, threatened xyz, this kid doesn’t give a toss. I’m at the point where I feel terrified to go outside with her. I’ve tried using reins and wrist links to embarrass her and make her walk sensibly - she just lays down or stands there and refuses to move. She’s an angel at school and for everyone else, except with us. I don’t know what to do. Her behaviour has been awful since she turned 2.

AIBU to just want to run away myself?

OP posts:
Charel2girl5 · 23/04/2026 15:39

AlexaStopAlexaNo · 22/04/2026 17:58

Running across the road would warrant a smack in my house. If she has to be really frightened for her own safety then so be it.

Edited

Absolutely agree! I smacked my youngest on the back of her legs when she ran into a busy road in a very busy city. She never did it again and I never raised a hand on her again. Sometimes you just need to teach a lesson. I was guilt ridden for months but she is now 20 and very careful about crossing roads.

drspouse · 23/04/2026 15:44

ThejoyofNC · 23/04/2026 12:35

I just cannot fathom why anyone would do this. It's absolute madness. If my child refused to move they'd be carried or dragged screaming. I'm not standing around like a fool whilst they lay on the floor.

And if you were pushing the buggy with your younger child in with both of your hands? Or if they fight you tooth and nail if you try to "drag" them? I'm often told I'm too strict but with some children there's no point in trying to force them. And in some situations it's worse than not, or simply impossible.

vanillachoc · 23/04/2026 17:18

We have had a good day today. I picked up DD with DM and she was very sensible as I told her she would not be going to the park if she didn’t walk next to me. There was a wobble trying to get her out of the park but I said we would not go tomorrow if she didn’t come and she immediately came. Tablet is hidden away where she can’t see it and she hasn’t made a fuss. Will see if the good behaviour carries on and bring wrist strap out if not.

@ThejoyofNCHow do you suppose I carry or drag a child with a baby in pram? Do tell. I’m not able to babywear.

OP posts:
Justabitofhope · 23/04/2026 17:51

@vanillachoc Tell DD that if DD can follow instructions at school (and it seems she can as you suggest DD is an angel at school) then DD is capable of following your instructions. So you tell DD 'if you want to go to...(e.g., the park), you need to do what I ask you to do. Going to the park is a treat, a playdate is a treat, going to non-school based activities or party are treats. You can tell DD it's for her safety but I'm thinking you just want DD to do as she's told. If DD doesn't do what you ask and worse,puts herself in danger, then stick to your guns and no treats that includes the park. After a few times of not having treats, the message should start to sink in. If it doesn't then consider speaking with school teachers about possibility of additional needs

ThejoyofNC · 23/04/2026 18:00

vanillachoc · 23/04/2026 17:18

We have had a good day today. I picked up DD with DM and she was very sensible as I told her she would not be going to the park if she didn’t walk next to me. There was a wobble trying to get her out of the park but I said we would not go tomorrow if she didn’t come and she immediately came. Tablet is hidden away where she can’t see it and she hasn’t made a fuss. Will see if the good behaviour carries on and bring wrist strap out if not.

@ThejoyofNCHow do you suppose I carry or drag a child with a baby in pram? Do tell. I’m not able to babywear.

It's no good telling you how because you won't do it anyway. You haven't even put the wrist strap on her.

vanillachoc · 23/04/2026 18:07

ThejoyofNC · 23/04/2026 18:00

It's no good telling you how because you won't do it anyway. You haven't even put the wrist strap on her.

Yet you keep leaving comments 🕺

OP posts:
ThejoyofNC · 23/04/2026 18:15

vanillachoc · 23/04/2026 18:07

Yet you keep leaving comments 🕺

What on earth is that emoji?

Anyway you're doing it back to front. She's shown you she can't be trusted so she wears the wrist strap until she proves otherwise. You're giving her the chance to run in the road again before you act? Very dangerous.

vanillachoc · 23/04/2026 18:19

ThejoyofNC · 23/04/2026 18:15

What on earth is that emoji?

Anyway you're doing it back to front. She's shown you she can't be trusted so she wears the wrist strap until she proves otherwise. You're giving her the chance to run in the road again before you act? Very dangerous.

I’m not taking advice from somebody who hits children.

OP posts:
ThejoyofNC · 23/04/2026 18:23

vanillachoc · 23/04/2026 18:19

I’m not taking advice from somebody who hits children.

That's nice. I wouldn't take it from someone who gives a 5 year old and iPad and lets them run in the road so I'm not offended.

vanillachoc · 23/04/2026 19:09

ThejoyofNC · 23/04/2026 18:23

That's nice. I wouldn't take it from someone who gives a 5 year old and iPad and lets them run in the road so I'm not offended.

Get a life, you sound utterly miserable.

OP posts:
NotTheFreudYoureLookingFor · 23/04/2026 19:15

One of my DC was exactly like this. It's utterly stressful and exhausting dealing with it, so you have my sympathy. I used reins, not to embarrass her, but literally to keep her safe. She did get used to them/put up with then eventually. I have to admit I did also smack her hand once in pure fright/horror when she dashed, cackling, into a busy road (and I live in a country where it's illegal). Not sure it made that much of a difference.

FWIW she was diagnosed in her teens with ADHD (it was blatantly obvious from much earlier though!)

Zanatdy · 23/04/2026 19:20

You cannot risk her getting killed so i’d use a wrist strap or reins all the time until she can trusted. This isn’t a situation where you can keep giving more chances to behave, when a 5yr old is running across a road. That’s very scary.

JLou08 · 23/04/2026 20:10

vanillachoc · 23/04/2026 17:18

We have had a good day today. I picked up DD with DM and she was very sensible as I told her she would not be going to the park if she didn’t walk next to me. There was a wobble trying to get her out of the park but I said we would not go tomorrow if she didn’t come and she immediately came. Tablet is hidden away where she can’t see it and she hasn’t made a fuss. Will see if the good behaviour carries on and bring wrist strap out if not.

@ThejoyofNCHow do you suppose I carry or drag a child with a baby in pram? Do tell. I’m not able to babywear.

You put the break on the pram, pick up your DD with two hands but then move her to one side, keep one arm around her and push the pram with the other. If you're not capable of that, you put the break on the pram and restrain your DD until she is ready to walk holding your hand.
I'm possibly wasting my time writing that, I'm sure you do actually know how to manage a baby in a pram and a child, but if your question is genuine it's worth me replying as it could literally save your child's life.

BeFunnyBiscuit · 23/04/2026 21:47

Thread still going on? Read all my posts lol. My daughter is only 12. Totally changed her body, energy and whole behaviour. A slightly overweight teen but not much, cannot run fast anymore, so walks, very apprehensive, very careful and always next to mum....

Whattodo1610 · 23/04/2026 22:24

BeFunnyBiscuit · 23/04/2026 21:47

Thread still going on? Read all my posts lol. My daughter is only 12. Totally changed her body, energy and whole behaviour. A slightly overweight teen but not much, cannot run fast anymore, so walks, very apprehensive, very careful and always next to mum....

Wrong thread?? 🤔

MehCantSing · 24/04/2026 12:34

vanillachoc · 23/04/2026 19:09

Get a life, you sound utterly miserable.

@vanillachoc @ThejoyofNC

You’re both in the wrong.
It should be:
No smacking.
Wrist strap on.
It’s simple!

MehCantSing · 24/04/2026 12:37

JLou08 · 23/04/2026 20:10

You put the break on the pram, pick up your DD with two hands but then move her to one side, keep one arm around her and push the pram with the other. If you're not capable of that, you put the break on the pram and restrain your DD until she is ready to walk holding your hand.
I'm possibly wasting my time writing that, I'm sure you do actually know how to manage a baby in a pram and a child, but if your question is genuine it's worth me replying as it could literally save your child's life.

@vanillachoc

Also buy yourself a buggy board. Clips on to back of pram. This with the wrist strap and you’re in full control of both children.

My son loved getting a lift on the buggy board.

Wicked123 · 29/04/2026 14:13

As someone who has worked in pre-schools as a 1:1 for children with additional needs, I would say look at having an assessment done? Ask school for a very honest description of her behaviour day to day…

Phoenixfire1988 · 29/04/2026 19:36

Try reigns again and if she lays down or refuses to move DRAG HER she will sharp quit when she realises it hurts .

Harry12345 · 30/04/2026 00:20

Grown adults on here advocating for hitting a child, does your husband’s give you a smack when your disregulated? Absolutely sickening

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