Do most 4.5 year olds do this?

[Curiouslycute]

We're away with another family at the moment. The 4.5 year old nt afaik dc runs away constantly. Out of sight. It's really busy. They don't listen much at all. I'm so stressed but dps seem unfazed?

My dcs weren't like this, neither were friends dcs. Not at that age anyway. This dc is starting school soon so hopefully they'll start listening? And if we holiday again they'll hopefully have settled down?

Just wondering if any of your dcs do this at that age?

What are the consequences for not listening to what's being asked of them?

Hi, no, in my experience by 4 and a half most kids will listen and stay around caregivers.

Nothing. I don't know why they aren't stressed. The dc went missing at one point in a park with bushes. Lots of people around. I was stressed to death. This kid has no boundaries. They're the youngest.

Thought as much. I can't wait to go home 🙈

In my experience, children take their cues from their caregivers. If the caregiver is unbothered, the child will act according to their individual temperament.

My eldest at that age was presumed nt runner. Anyway he's 8.5 and ASD/ADHD pathway and lots of extra I put needed. The thing is you get the child you get and especially with your first your child is your normal.

Not typical at all in my experience. But even at nearly 9, my youngest knows to stay right next to me in public places unless he asks to go somewhere. They were definitely always told to stay with me and not to run in busy places.

Typical with mine unfortunately! Both spirited little explorers forever running off. Not capable of taking part in organised classes at that age, instead they would find some accomplices and make up their own games. With DC1 I was so envious of the children who would sit nicely and listen. No amount of consequences helped.

Thankfully it was just a phase but they’re both still very independent and strong willed.

He would make me anxious, but his parents would make me absolutely livid. You're doing the worrying for them - it's completely unfair. Can you spend some time separately?

In my experience that is not normal behaviour unless there is an additional need or shite parenting!

My eldest has just turned 4, and she usually stays nearby and listens to me when we're out. I wouldn't fully trust her yet of course, especially if she's particularly excited/hyper, but she's mostly pretty good (and if she's not she gets sternly told off, I firmly explain it's my job to keep her safe etc, and she then either has to hold my hand or we leave)

My 2yo is much more likely to run away or wander, which I'd expect for her age. But even she is learning too.

It is typical for some neurodiverse children i think. My child went through a phase of running off, however it really stressed me out, I can assure you I was not relaxed about it or bad parenting, he had consequences for doing this.My friend also had a child who ran off at this age, he is now diagnosed with ADHD and Autism.

I suspect my child has ASD, but he has not been formally diagnosed yet. He is 7 and does not do this anymore, but he shows other typical signs of being neurodiverse.

My ND child did (we didn't know she was ND at that time). She didn't have the words to tell me she was overwhelmed so would run away from the situation instead. At 10 she's better at telling us.
My NT child generally didn't bit might forget and wander off to investigate if something caught his eye.