Should my 2 year old listen to me when I ask him not to do something?

[DarkGreen]

He is 26 months old and if he is running off at the park and I am shouting stop if he's going to run into someone he just doesn't acknowledge me. Also if round the house I ask him not to do something bexause it is dangerous etc, he just laughs at me and carries on.

Don't know what I should expect from him at this age? Should he understand and respond if I say no?

My daughter was 2 last month and is honestly the exact same! I have to keep her on the reins a lot. Never needed anything like that with my eldest, who actually has ADHD.

I think as frustrating as it is it's normal. My 2YO has selective hearing to say the least. I think it's just about not letting them 'get away' with not listening and being firm if they don't in a none-confrontational way 'you seem to be having trouble listening when I say it isn't safe to run off so now I'm going to have to hold your hand' and thanking them when they do listen. Try and introduce turn taking games etc too which will introduce listening skills. Mine loves the orchard toys penguin pairs game. Sometimes she'll play really nice and others tbh she will still just chuck the pieces around though lol

To be fair @Jannt86 your 2 year old is almost 3 and ours have just turned two. It's definitely a personality thing as well, I've no issues with being firm. I'm also a teacher and Know how to use praise to motivate children. Again, my Lovely youngest cares not one bit about my praise or my firm tone unfortunately! 😂 I'm hoping it will come as she gets older. They are sent to try us after all!

If I say no really firmly he will stop and look but then he carries on, its hard to explain here but its almost like he thinks it's a game with the laughing at me when I say no. When I say stop when we are out its like he literally can't hear me or doesn't understand me. It is as though the word has no meaning to him he just carries on and doesn't acknowledge me.

I am fine with it IF its normal for his age, i just don't know if at 26months he should be capable of stopping if I ask him to etc