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Runaway toddler..help

8 replies

Bex485 · 08/07/2014 14:03

My DS is 2 years old, he is generally a happy,healthy boy with an independent spirit..great! Well until we're out in a public place... He's reached that age of not wanting to be strapped in the buggy, but when he's out of it it he runs off forcing me to chase after him, much to his amusement. I've brought him some of those bumblebee reins which haven't really helped, he either lays on the floor and gets super angry at being restrained or pulls at them so hard they ride up around his neck which worries me (I've tried retightening and adjusting them many times).

It's starting to really get me down and I'm finding going anywhere in public with him too stressful.. To make matters worse, my mother keeps commenting on my parenting skills as if it's my fault he's like this. He's always been an active boy literally learnt to run before he could walk at 10 months, crawled at 5 months and rolled around in his cot literally days after we took him home from hospital!

I've tried everything, from calmly explaining to him, firmly telling him no and strapping him in to his buggy whilst he screams and alarmed rubberneckers stare disapprovingly. I even make sure he's had a good opportunity to burn off some energy in the local park before he have to out anywhere.

He's a speedy little mite and I'm so worried that one day he'll run out in front of a car before I can get to him. Any advice?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Theyaremysunshine · 08/07/2014 14:14

DS went through this phase. IME clippasafe reins are the best.

I told DS he could hold my hand nicely and the first time he didn't he'd have to wear reins. The threat quickly became enough.

Not too early for the stop and go game either. Let them go ahead (in park/ non-traffic area) and shout stop and tell them to stand as still as a statue. Kids love it and it quickly becomes engrained so they stop if god forbid the run towards a car. Still play this with DS at 4. He's one of the best of his peers for staying close on roads despite his form as a previous runner.

AnyaKnowIt · 08/07/2014 14:16

Give him t choice, reins or buggy

I remember the battles with dd, but its worth it

batteryhen · 08/07/2014 14:20

My ds gets a choice. Holding hands / reins or in the buggy. If he has a strop and a tantrum, tough. If he lays on the floor having a strop I wait till he is done then put him back in the pram. Walk nicely or not at all....it's working so far!

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AlpacaLypse · 08/07/2014 14:22

I used Clippersafe harness and a clip on doglead rather than the standard reins that came in the kit. The lead handle goes nicely over a wrist during moments when you need hand's free for purse, keys etc. I had twins and shopping would have been impossible for that year or so without this system!

I hear what you're saying about the furious tantrums at being restrained, but it's not unusual - in fact almost inevitable - that there will be a spirited battle of wills on this subject with a two year old. Hold your nerve - you will prevail in the end!

batteryhen · 08/07/2014 14:22

And if people stare at you, ignore them. You are keeping your son safe x

Bex485 · 08/07/2014 16:20

Thanks folks..... I'm going to invest in some of those reins and see if they work better. :)

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Shelby2010 · 08/07/2014 17:15

I second using the reins and ignore the tantrums - he's 2, so if he wasn't tantruming over the reins it would be over something else! It might be worth investing a bit of time 'training' him to wear them by making sure you are initially going somewhere nice eg park or maybe to the local shop to buy some Smarties which can then be slowly doled out for 'nice walking'.

If you get the style of reins that have the clips for using on highchairs etc then you can also use them as buggy straps so you are not having to wrestle them on and off all the time.

givemecaffeine21 · 08/07/2014 19:03

I bought this

www.amazon.co.uk/Clippasafe-Wrist-Link-Coloured-Product/dp/B003B37D9O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404842331&sr=8-1&keywords=wrist+strap+toddler

At first DD didn't want it on and would make a real fuss but I made it very clear that if she wouldn't wear it and walk nicely with it on, she was going in the buggy. I saw this through a couple of times and voila, she's not messed about since. I 'let her off' as soon as we get to a quiet stretch (I live in a village). I put the bit for my wrist around the buggy handle as DS is in the buggy; saves me being pulled around.

The other thing I have is a buggy board and she loves it, thinks it's amazing.

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