Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Q & A - Reader's Edition

This is not your typical Q & A, where I answer questions you have asked me. Rather, I have a question for you - my beautiful, intelligent, strong, wise, and witty readers. Today, I have but one question for you...

What in the world can I do to STOP my (naughty) two-year old boy from running away? (His favourite sprint lane is the one in the middle of the largest parking lot of the largest store, with the highest volume of traffic.)

Seriously, help me! If you don't care to help me, perhaps you'll care to help him. Because if this continues... __________________ (fill in the blank with pretty much any phrase that comes to mind)

10 comments:

  1. That was my thought - of any form. Anytime you get out of the vehicle you put it on him and let him know it's because he doesn't stay with you. I bet it wouldn't take long to change his behavior.

    F

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  2. child leash. It was the only thing that kept my son at my side during outings to shopping areas. shopping centers are dangerous places. If a tether works, use the tether. :o) He eventually learned that if he didn't stay by my side of his own accord, he would lose the privilige of walking alongside me like a free man.

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  3. To add to the drama, I should mention that whenever I have tried to leash him up he lays down (or throws himself down) and screams. When I go to pick him up hysterical fits of shrieking, kicking, and swatting at Mommy's face ensue.

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  4. First, practice what you expect at home ~ get in the car, pretend you are getting out to go in the store and require him to hold your hand. Actually practice having him hold your hand any time you want to.

    The reality is he doesn't respect your authority. It's natural and just needs to be learned.

    Anyway, after you've practiced at home, go to the store (but don't intend to actually get anything - if you do that's a bonus) and tell him before you get him out of the car that you want him to hold your hand until you let go. Also tell him if he doesn't obey, you will go back to the car and he'll get a spanking.

    Then follow through patiently and consistently.

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  5. Yes- practice at home first and include small rewards. Carry said reward with you to store.

    Maybe if you make the leash fun as a game (with lots of reward) at home then he won't think of it as a restriction at the store?

    We only had to use a leash on one of our kids. It was worth the nasty looks to know that my child was safe. For one of them, we got a kid-sized grocery cart and used that as a "only if you stay right next to me can you use this awesome cart" type thing. If the child ran, the cart was taken away. Again, we practiced with that at home first.

    Hope you find something that works! Patience and consistency Mommafriend!

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  6. This is kind of a hard one for me to answer, because I haven't had many problems with kids running off while I am in the mall or a store. My children know that when they are in a busy store with me, they have to walk on either side of the cart, holding on to the cart with one hand. They know that if they run off, that they will be put into the cart and forced to sit there (which can get pretty uncomfortable once the cart is filled with groceries). I agree with the other ladies, practice with Kai before going to the store... practice him holding your hand whenever you ask him to, without hesitation.

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  7. This is kind of a hard one for me to answer, because I haven't had many problems with kids running off while I am in the mall or a store. My children know that when they are in a busy store with me, they have to walk on either side of the cart, holding on to the cart with one hand. They know that if they run off, that they will be put into the cart and forced to sit there (which can get pretty uncomfortable once the cart is filled with groceries). I agree with the other ladies, practice with Kai before going to the store... practice him holding your hand whenever you ask him to, without hesitation.

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  8. oh I have been there...and at times am still there and he is now 4!!
    I did the child leash and that is the only reason he is still alive lol
    Then when that did not work well enough I made the biggest mistake ever...i told him I would buy him a treat if he was good and kept his leash on and listened to mommy...ya...big mistake...cause then I could go absolutely no where without him expecting something in return...and that is when the big screaming fits started ...
    so as you see...I am absolutely of no help...other then say...he will grow older sooner or later and it will get better??!!

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  9. Lots of mentioning of the leash, which I wholly endorse.....and maybe some chocolate bribes, er...rewards if he doesn't throw fits??

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