Toddler Running Off

My 3.5 year old is getting worse and worse at running off where I can’t see him. I am urgently trying to catch up with him whilst pushing his 2 month old sister in the pram… I can only run so fast without bumping the pram too much and he is just so fast. There have been a handful of times now I have thought someone has took him as I call out his name and he’s gone… He has made me cry so many times and I am honestly terrified of losing him. I don’t know why he is suddenly doing this. When I call his name, he doesn’t even turn round like he’s joking, he will just run and run like he doesn’t hear me… he’s too old to have reins again and he knows not to run in the road but I just worry so much now. I can’t just leave his sister and run after him and I don’t want to be too scared to take him anywhere. A couple said they would watch the pram whilst I found him today but that didn’t sit right with me. Luckily he was just doing loops round but it was horrible. Is anyone else going through this?

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Sorry chick but no he isn't too old for reigns if this is what he's doing to you. I use a back pack reign for my little one. I still hold his hand not walk him like a dog but it's there if he does decide to run when isn't safe, he has no sense of danger when it comes to roads etc and if he wants to run he acts like he can't hear me either and thinks it's a game. My son is 3 years 3 months. Honestly don't be afraid to take control again. Hope you're OK xx

@Ruth thank you for the advice! It’s been so long since he’s used the reigns but I do feel he needs them again. He’s definitely been testing me recently. I remember he ran all round Tkmax randomly when I was pregnant and I thought I lost him then as well 😩

My son is coming up 4 and he will run off given half the chance, i still use reins now as that way i can guarantee he is safe xx

Hope your okay xx

I'd also use reins until he learns to stay close to you

Bless you incognito. Sending love. Could also be an attention thing because isn't the only child anymore. But yes go back to reigns. Get a back pack one and tell him he can fill it with his fave things. Tell him mum can't have you running off, it's dangerous. Xx

@Ruth thank you so much! I think it might be an attention thing as he is fine when daddy is with us or other people. That is a good idea, thank you! I’ve warned him about the dangers but he doesn’t seem to care 😩 you’d think he would be scared that he couldn’t see me, but no 🙃 I’ll keep reminding him though! Xx

Let me know how it goes. Xx

Not sure if you have seen them but we have a rein set that you both wear like a bracelet that has a bungee connecting you. We used this the other day at the fireworks and was great as she could wander free but just couldn't go to far away and was easy to use when holding hands too. Also gives you free hands for helping with baby and pushchair as well. We have mainly brought it for going on holiday for being in busy places with crowds so we can't lose her if she wants to run off!

My son is exactly the same! He goes crazy when I try put reins on him so I still put him in the pram when we go out. He’s more than old enough to walk but when I’m on my own I won’t take the risk of him running off x

Reins or consider introducing consequences - he runs off so you go home. A different spin might be to make him a helper now he's a big brother - telling you what the baby's doing in the pram or holding something for you that the baby might need.

When he’s out with you talk to him and tell him the dangers of him when he’s running off, say like “if you run off I can’t see you and there’s lots of cars and it’s dangerous” and maybe he might stay by you or run off a little bit in front of you if not just find some reigns that will attach to the pram and him so he can’t run off

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