Toddler running away for a game

[dollymat]

What do you when your toddler makes a break for freedom, running towards a busy road, leaving you with the baby in the buggy? Is it best to abandon the buggy and run after the toddler - which he thinks is a game and just makes him run faster - or pretend to be going the other way in the hope he'll come running back (and in the desparate hope that he won't continue running out of sight or into danger)? I bellowed so loudly that EVERYONE in the park turned and stared at me, and ran after him - but I've no idea if this was the best thing to do...

If my dd (now 2y8mo) went near a road, I bellowed, and grabbed her. She did a lot of running off. If she's in danger, bellow away. I used to remind her about cars in the road, and how dangerous they are. She is scared of cars in car parks, and cowers near me, which is a good thing to me, as don't want her in the road. When we're near a road, and in a car park, she gets reminded to hold my hand, and she does now, but it did take time to get her to understand.

strap/reins

tis safest

Agree with you Dolly, brake on the buggy and chase the bolter. Luckily for us DS1 was the bolter and DS2 hasn't shown any inclination (yet). Invest in reins or strap, or if budget permits, one of those cute Little Life rucksacks with a grab handle and a (for want of a better word) lead!

I agree about the reins or a wrist link strap. I am not sure how old your child is, wrist links a better for children who can be trusted a little bit. My little boy is only two and autistic, therefore can't be trusted at all so we use full reins.

Shouting at the child to stop and chasing them is the best idea, don't worry if other people look at you. It might actually be helpful that everyone is looking as if they get near the road someone else might be able to grab them quicker than you can.

I once heard a woman scream her daughter's name. the child was about to run in to a main road in the path of a bus. I was closer than she was an got hold of the little girl's coat to stop her getting in to the road. Someone also grabbed my son for me when he ran out of the doctors surgery after hearing me shout which I endlessly appreciated as he was heading towards a road.

Reins or a strap are the best option. With anything else you'd be taking a high risk IMO.

Definitely the reins/ LL rucksack option.

We also used to "practice" stopping (in the park)... I'd let the toddler run off a bit, shout "stop" and they'd have to freeze (lots of praise) or come back and hold onto the buggy.

People look at you weirdly, but - safety first, eh?!

Agree with the reins and the practicing. Ds1 knew aged 2 that if he did not stop immediately after being told to, the reins would come on and we would go straight home.