He thinks its funny to run away and make me chase him, and I don't know how to dicipline him so he won't run off, I am 23 weeks preg. so it is hard to chase him.. I don't know what to do..Help!
2007-04-09 08:52:07 · 22 answers · asked by RoOgUrL85 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I can't believe how many jerks answered this question so rudely! this is a serious problem people, its DANGEROUS!
Anyways, don't listen to them - I understand what you are going through, as my son did that at two - to top it off he is mildly autistic and was a "bolter" as we called it - he would just take off running and never look back, no fears. And I also had a 4 year old and a 1 year old at the time - REAL FUN! So anyways, this is what worked for me. Whenever we went anywhere, I would explain to him beforehand (depending on the situation, where we were going, etc.) - that when we arrived at our destination, that there was NO running from mommy, that he had to stay with mommy. If we were goign somewhere when him running off was extremely dangerous (for example, if we were near a busy street, or in a crowded place like a mall or something) - he either had to be contained in a stroller, attached by a wrist band to me, or I even had a harness for him that everyone gave me dirty looks to use, but screw them, your child's safety comes first and he is really young to understand all the ramifications of running off. And my son was worse because he really didn't understand. Anyways, if you are somewhere that is a little safer, I'd keep an eye on my son, and if he started to run off, I'd very firmly yell out "STOP" and if he didn't, and made me run after him, he would be punished immediately - usually it would involve leaving wherever we were immediately, or he had to sit in a timeout, etc. - whatever you think would be most effective. He'll get it, just be consistent. But like I said, in the meantime, safety first - if it means tethering him to you, so be it, like I said, he's so young and doesn't understand yet, but will as he gets a bit older. I hope this helps, and good luck!!
2007-04-09 12:15:34 · answer #1 · answered by Mom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry to say, that there is no way to teach them this at this age. You can yell till you are hoarse and very upset, and it will not make any difference to him. It is a game to the child, and you will have to be on your toes at all times with your eye on him so he does not make the great escape. This is normal behavior for a toddler. I do not recommend spanking, as he is really to young to be spanked, and there are better methods than a butt busting. You need to get the situation under control, as the further along you get in your pregnancy, the harder it will be to chase him. Do not go into any areas that he is not safely contained, as he will run at a moments notice. Always have another person with you when you are out in the open with him, or this will end in a disaster with him running in front of a car. If you cannot have someone with you to help chase him, better off at home in the back yard playing with him there. The great part is he will be through the taking off stage probably by the time the baby comes.
2007-04-09 15:59:09 · answer #2 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My 2 1/2 year old does the same thing. I make sure I always have a grocery cart or a stroller when we go places. If he starts to run, I get down on his level and tell him that I can't trust him not to run off so he must sit in the stroller/cart. Explain that he could get hurt if he doesn't stay with you and it's your job to keep him safe. He may cry the first few times you restrict his freedom but just ignore it completely and he'll give up after a few times. It's important to let him try so he can learn the correct behavior so give him a chance to make the right choices. Best wishes!
2007-04-09 16:20:51 · answer #3 · answered by jillo4113 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have the same problem with our 3 year old. He likes to run once we get upstairs. We start before we go up by telling him the plan. We're going upstairs and into the bathroom for a bath. If you run off, you're going right to bed without a bath. This works for us because he loves the tub. We also close any doors to other rooms to minimize the chase if he does take off.
In other situations, instead of just telling him something and having him run off. I'll go to him, hold his hand. Then tell him what to do. Now he can't go anywhere. We also try postive reinforcement and rewards for listening. For example, "let's go to your bedroom and get dressed. If you listen you'll get a sticker." He loves stickers and this typically works. If he does what we ask, we tell him "good job, that makes Mommy and Daddy happy", "you're a good boy", etc. and give him his sticker.
2007-04-09 16:03:16 · answer #4 · answered by dude 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Oh man.. that's a toughy... I was just there with you a month ago 'til had my second.
How far does he run? Do you live where if he goes too far, he'll get hurt? Most children won't let you out of their sight. It sounds like a game to him... maybe take him somewhere you can let him run from you (with out any dangers) and work with each other. The timeout rule and 123 work pretty well with my 2 yo. when he doesn't listen. I explain to him when he's in his timeout, why he's there. "..Because your not listening to mommy!"
2007-04-09 15:59:24 · answer #5 · answered by cristi c 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My daughter is going through that stage. The way to teach them is if they run off then you put them in a situation where they can't and if they scream you say if you were staying by me you could walk but since you wont you have to be in cart or whatever it is on baby leash whatever until you can listen.. It helps..
2007-04-09 16:02:11 · answer #6 · answered by peachescl2000 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You need to use a stern voice and tell him how naughty it is to run away. Explain that cars can hit him. That worked for my daughter, most of the time.
2007-04-09 16:08:32 · answer #7 · answered by jess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at his age, its really hard to teach him to stay with you. its hard to discipline when you are out in public and cant give timeouts, and even if you believe in spanking you certainly cant do that in public. get a double stroller for when the baby is born. my youngest is 3 1/2 and i still put him in the stroller when we are going to be somewhere where it would be dangerous for him to run off. boys take longer than girls to learn to stay with their moms. until he learns to behave, dont put him in a situation where he has the oppurtunity to run away.
2007-04-09 16:07:44 · answer #8 · answered by massmama 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
get a child leash, and tell him whenever you go out in public with him he has to wear it until he learns not to run off, he will learn, or just not take him anywhere, when i was little my parents would drop everything and leave if i through a fit in a store or somewhere, and i learned to keep quiet
2007-04-09 16:17:42 · answer #9 · answered by meg 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would get him a childs leash and tell him that since he thinks it's funny to run from mommy, then he has to wear this when you guys go out. And just make him wear it!
2007-04-09 16:03:44 · answer #10 · answered by Mom to Foster Children 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋