My 3 (almost 4 year old) never seems to do anything she's asked.
Coming out of the supermarket today she ran straight across the car park. I had to grab her coat by the hood but she was already half way across by the time I stopped her. I told her sternly that she was always to hold my hand crossing the road and that she was never to do that again. Out walking with the dog two hours later and she ran across the green headed straight for the road again. I caught her again and again told her to always stop at the path and she wasn't to be running ahead. A few mins later and she's off running again way ahead of me. I called her numerous times but she just kept running. I had to grab her again. I held her hand and asked that she walk with me but she kept pulling and pulling. Then she tried to bit my hand TWICE. I got so frustrated that I gave her a smack on the bum. I know I shouldn't have and I never hit her but I got so annoyed as she's generally well behaved at home but really mischievous when we're out. She then refused to move and I gave her a little prod on the back and she tripped over onto her hands and started crying hysterically. She cried the rest of the way home.
I feel really terrible. I just don't know how to get her to listen and actually do as I tell her. I know she has no impulse control and we had been having fun on the green which probably made her run off excited but I can't seem to drill it home that she could get seriously hurt and I feel like the worst mama in the world now.