DD1 has just turned 3 and keeps running off when out and about.
When we're going somewhere she wants to go, I give (and follow through with) consequences, for example "if you run away from me on the way to the playground, we're coming straight home" but it doesn't make a difference.
And obviously that doesn't work when we're on the way home, or we're somewhere she doesn't want to be. In the supermarket I'll say that if she runs off she has to hold my hand, but then she still does, and then spends the whole time squirming, sitting on the floor, yanking her hand away, and then running away again if she does get her hand out of mine. I can't threaten her with going in the pram, as DD2 is in that.
She ran away from DH in a cafe the other weekend, and got out onto the street and up to the road before a woman stopped her. He was so cross (the kind of anger that comes out when you're terrified if that makes sense, as he thought she was going to get hit by a car before he could get to her) and brought her straight home.
We've tried explaining why she can't run off, we've tried seriously telling her off, she's always sorry, but always runs off. I hate taking her out now, especially with DD2 in the pram, as I have to leave her to go and catch DD1.
Are reins the best way to go? Or does anyone have any other suggestions?