Three year old bolting

[toddlerrun]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone has any advice/ideas?

My 3 year old is a runner. Some days she can be very complaint and sensible but other days she pulls away from me and sprints off without hesitation. She doesn't stop if I call after her: if I chase then she sees it as a game and runs faster.

There have been a couple of times where she's run into the road or I have caught her just in time. Yesterday we had a near miss when I managed to grab her hood before she stepped off the pavement under a moving car.

I dread to think what happens if don't catch her in time.

What can I do to help instil fear and understanding of road danger? Other than smacking, I've tried all sorts: reasoning, anger, I even tried to demonstrate getting run over with a toy car and paw patrol pup

DS1 was like this. You either have to hold their hand ALL the time, or get one of those little rucksacks that have a lead on them.

At least she can carry her own snack and a little bottle of water in the rucksack

I'd get the rucksack with lead. It's just not something that's worth the risk.

Unless she has SN it is something she will grow out of. Just keep her safe and your stress levels low in the meantime and put a lead on her!

Another vote for the rucksack. It's just not worth the risk. It won't be forever. She'll develop the danger awareness eventually but until then...

LittleLife do a lovely selection of backpacks with reins

When I was growing up, my neighbour used to look after all of us kids whenever our parents were busy - and had the youngest of us on reigns made of strong elastic...true old school style. But it worked.

She was the sweetest - but tough if any of us tried to run away or slip our reigns! She wasn’t afraid to use a slipper - “spare the rod and spoil the child” she would say...!

My grandson is like this. We have tried the reins. Back pack. Wrist lead. If we do any of there he just sits on the floor and won’t move. I have had 3 children and have 6 grandchildren. He is the only one like this.

Backpack with reins. She will grow out of it in a year or so, keep reminding her of safety and she will get it eventually. At 3, she is too young to understand the danger and the running off is part of her ‘personality’ so you have to be the one to keep her safe.

My son was like this. He’s now much better with crossing roads because we’ve talked about it so much!!!

I can't offer much advice because I have a similar problem with my 2.7 year ds. But it's actually good to hear that others are in the same boat.
My ds ran into the road a few weeks ago, luckily a quiet, side road outside my parents house, but it really shook me up. He can run so fast and has no real concept of road awareness yet even though we're telling him about roads being dangerous.

I just think some children are more runners than others and maybe it's just riding out this time until they can really understand the dangers and be trusted.
So woodland walks it is!!

Reins or buggy. Bring the buggy out with you and pop her in every time she runs away