36mth old runner-off, too old for reins or buggy? Help please

[viticella]

This is doing my head in. DS1 has just turned three but he WILL NOT walk nicely to follow me when we're out. I always have DS2 in buggy so I can't just chase him and can't always hold hands securely (he really resists handholding with me, fine with anyone else).

I'm afraid I usually resort to strapping him in buggy (It's a phil& ted's so I can double it up if I want) or reins but starting to feel he's too old for this. I just cannot trust him in busy public places not to run off and get lost - he thinks it's really funny to run away. I end up continuously calling him back and making a scene of it.

Also he does get tired walking and often asks to be carried or go in pushchair. So it's not really a punishment/consequence to strap him in.

I guess it's a bit of a power struggle thing but I can't figure out how to "train" him to stay close, and I've tried! I'm a bit worried that without practice he won't learn, so we'll never improve.

I have a long journey to manage next week and could do without taking the double buggy - any ideas for a boot camp?

If he runs off - he is not too old for reins!

how does she wriggle out of the buggy can she undo the harness? what about a wrist strap of the back pack type reins?

Wriggling out of the buggy? Try crossing the shoulder straps across her chest. Works in some buggies.

Just to say that I tracked down the rucksack with a strap attached at a local camping place and we bought one yesterday, then went for a jaunt around town.

It's a very secure, he could almost dangle off the strap. The parent strap has a stiffened loop to hold so very easy to grab. After a few lying down protests we compromised on "off the lead" in shops and "on the lead" when out in the street. Definitely an improvement - the only problem was the strap is attached at the top of the rucksack so he could wrap it round his neck by turning round! Don't tempt me....

Thanks for ideas!