2.5 Year Old Who RUNS! Ideas?

toddle harness. They have cute ones out there that look like backpacks with stuffed animals on them. Until he can control himself you may want to use them. It isn't like a leash and this is for his safety.

My son is the same age and very bad at running away too. He thinks it's a game, no matter how serious the situation, he laughs, even when he gets caught & punished. So after trying everything else, I finally decided to let it be a game. We practiced playing red light/green light at home in the yard until he understood it. Now when we're out and he runs away, I yell "red light" and 9 times out of 10 he'll come to a dead stop. That's usually enough time to catch up to him and grab his hand before I say "green light."

We also tried a leash (backpack harness) which worked great, but I got sick of the dirty looks I got from people when we used it out in public.

If you're in a situation where it's safe to run, but only so far, try to show him the boundaries. We will draw a line on the driveway that he can't cross, or I'll tell him he has to stay in the grass, etc. He also knows he's never allowed to run in certain places, like a parking lot. I don't think that's too hard to understand!

Also we give him time to run before his bath & bedtime, just to get the last bit of energy out. It's his favorite part of the day! Best of luck.

My son was the same way. I bought a cheep umbrella stroller and told him that he had to ride EVERYWHERE until he could walk like a good boy. It worked. We would use the stroller for a few days, then he would be good for a week or so. When her ran again, the stroller came out. This went on for a couple of months, then he got it, and the running stopped. This works well for parking lots, driveways, etc. When a stroller is not feasible, I say he must hold your hand everywhere! He will hate that and catch on!

I agree with several others that we've told our children that if they can't stay right next to us, then they need to hold our hands, ride in the cart/stroller, or be carried.

My children are now 2 1/2, 5, and 7. As toddlers and even sometimes now with my older girls, I'd remind them of the rules right before any situation. So right before we get out of the van in the grocery store parking lot, I'd say, "How do we behave in stores? Do we yell and scream?" And they'd yell, "NOOOOO!" "Do we run away from Mom or stay next to Mom?" And they'd yell, "Stay with Mom!" In parking lots, we'll still often make a chain of all 4 of us, sometimes so that they can help keep me safe. ;-)

At places like swimming pools, instead of saying "don't run," a friend told me that their daycare always said, "Use your walking feet," and it really seems to help. If they're really struggling to walk, I'll make up a different game where we have to tiptoe or something else that makes us move slowly. Sometimes I'll just get them focused on something else ("Will you help me carry this?" or "Do you see any blue cars?"), and that helps prevent the running.

Another friend always used this phrase with her son -- "The workers don't want us to do that." And it works pretty well for my son, too, as long as I use it sparingly. I don't know if girls care as much, but these boys both see workers as big, important people, and if they say it's so, then it must be so.

I do explain the safety reasons from time to time, too, even though I know that at 2, they don't quite get it. It does sink in eventually. I've had my older two both stand behind a car so that they can see that their heads are below the window, and that's why cars can't see them. That way, they understand that even though they're "big" girls, they have to stay with me since I'm tall enough for drivers to see me.

Hope that gives you a few more ideas!

When my children were that age, bought them one of those toddler sized backpacks on rollers and had them fill them up with some of their toys, crayons and coloring books. Whenever we went out of the house, my kids would carry or roll their backpacks with them. Let me tell you, it's very hard for a kid to run very fast when they are packing a backpack. Plus, we had the added bonus of having toys and crayons with us wherever we went, which made eating out a whole lot easier. Maybe you can try this with your son.

None of my children was logical at 2.5, and I did not give a hoot what anyone thought of me, I put my runner on a leash because it was better and cheaper than a funeral. The concequences if he fails his training are just too high. Seriously, I would not worry about how you look to any one else when the safety of your little one is involved. If the leash works, and it will, then try it.

M.

we put our kiddo on a leash and never felt bad about it.

my daughter used to do this all the time! She would run 10 or 15 ft, turn around and look at us and laugh and it wasnt a big deal until she did it one day at a crazy packed store full of christmas shoppers! I ran around screaming and crying and my husband panicked and other shoppers stopped and were helping us, my husband found her in the parking lot! We were at the outlets and the door was wide open! After that she got a harness when we let her walk or she had to stay in her stroller! It really could be a pain sometimes but that was one of the scariest moments of my mommyhood! When we were in situations where she had to be able to walk, like the pool, I would put her in "mini" timeouts for running. Just a few min at the most but if she kept doing it then she just wasnt allowed to play anymore. I hated having to do that but I had to keep her safe. She learned fairly quickly not to run anymore! Good luck!

I'm right there with ya. It's so frustrating!
I worked with my son in the house with a very stern "stop". Yes, I still had to chase him for a while, all the while saying or yelling "stop" but he knows the stern stop and now when he hears it he immediately stops what he's doing.
As I chased him I would say stop over and over and when I caught him (usually by the arm!), I would slow him down, get in front of him, and get down to his level and again sternly say stop. I made sure he was looking me in the eye and repeated stop until he was looking at me and said ok. We would then both stand where we were for probably a minute or two, long enough to settle him down from "the chase". Writing this out it sounds kinda silly, but it's what worked for us. He now not only stop when I sternly say (or yell) stop, but usually actually comes to me as well. He's nearly three now so this is still pretty new, so I always say thank you when he does stop and come to me and usually give a hug or another reward (high five, something to get him playful again).
I am someone who always thought the "child leash" is horrible, but when I had this guy I kinda get it. I opted for the stroller though in large crowd situations, which we also used as another mom said. We took the umbrella stroller and if he didn't stay with us, he was put in the stroller until he told us he could walk and stay with us again.

I had my son in a toddler harness at that age. Actually I got it when he was walking well and he was transitioning out of it by 2.5 to 3. I learned that if he did not stay with Mommy and follow directions he would be riding in a stroller or shopping cart or going home if it was a fun outing like the park. A few times I had to grab him from running into danger as well. When he was under 2 he ran in the street a few steps. I grabbed him and sat him on the curb for a time out with my arms and legs around him so he was firmly restrained (he hates this). Then we immediately went inside and there was no more playing outside that day. It may seem like over reacting but it worked the first time. I had to follow up a few times by going inside if he started for the street but he got that rule by 2.5. In less dangerous situations you could also try having him immediately sit for a time out wherever he is. My son is just very active and sometimes he just needs to run off some energy someplace safe like the yard or a park. When he is stuck inside all day his behavior can be terrible.

THANK YOU! Thank you for posting this question and Thanks to all the moms that replied about the harness. We have been having the same problem with our 2.5yo DD. I always thought I would never use a harness and it was never an issue with DS (now almost 7) but then came our DD and boy does she love to run! She is just so independent which is good but also often terrifying! I feel much better about using the harness and am also going to look for the wrist one. Thanks again and GOOD LUCK!

I have one too - i have a toddler harness which goes on mine at all times, other than that i have to hold her hand, otherwise she runs. hopefully they will grow out of it, until then, we have to tether them to us in some way.

it is NEVER okay to run in a parking lot. from now on hold his hand or carry him. don't even give him the chance to run, keep your hand on him at all times, from the moment his feet hit pavement (or you step outside). tell him if he is not a big enough boy to walk by himself, he must hold your hand. when he starts to resist that (and he will), inform him that since he's not even big enough to walk nicely with mommy, then he will be carried. two year olds love their independance but he has to learn boundaries. he can walk on his own, WHEN he is a "big enough" boy to follow the rules. you don't have a choice- you have to FORCE him to be safe - no one else in that parking lot will be looking out for your son.

We did what Kelli A. did, but we said "Freeze". My son is four and half and still stops when we yell freeze. lol.

We brought the stroller with us when it was appropriate and would strap him in there when he ran off. Sort of a mobile time out. We would let him out and try again.

And we did sometimes have to leave or stop activities because he ran off.

It took a few weeks, but he eventually got it. We are going through it again with my 19 month old. It's taken her a while, but I think she is starting to "get it"...with two it seems like we are outside and out and about more than we were with my son.

Maybe take him to a running approved location twice a week like the park or a track or something. Let him run like crazy. Then when he runs in inappropriate places you can say to him "Running is for the park/track." Not here. Then lay down the consequences. Then it's not just "you can't run...the end." It's "you can't run *here*, but there is a place *here*." Good luck.

I never used to believe in leashes for kids,but my 1 granddaughter was a runner too,and almost got hit by cars many a times,and lost,the leash was a godsend for her when she was small. she is 8 yrs old now and sometimes I think she still needs one. good luck!!

I agree with mommy s. I think the stroller idea is great. You might also want to consider a harness for crowded and dangerous places. Better everyone safe than sorry! I lost my runner for 1.5 hours in a huge theme restaurant when he was 4. He zigged and I zagged and poof...no more boy! I looked on my own for 30 minutes, then called in security and the police. Thank God he found a mom and asked her to take him to find his mom. At the pool, no swimming or pool until he follows the rules. You might want to have the lifeguard restrict him once or twice and see if he gets any better.

I have a very funny story about squishy European yogurt containers, a lapse of judgment, a Swiss Airport and a toddler on the move.

S.

My son was like that at a younger age. I found that if I trained him, he wouldn't do it. Or at least he really was quite aware what he was doing wrong! I took him in the backyard (we had a sidewalk) and I made him walk next to me. If he went too far, I said, "That's too far. Come back." If he didn't, I would go get him, bring him back to where I said it, and we would continue to walk.

I trained him every day for about a week. Maybe starting with 10 minutes or so. Now, my husband and I never worry about him running. He stops, turns around, and comes back. It's great!

His little brother, on the other hand... well, he's quite another story. One that I still don't understand!

Hi - I have a two year old too. If he started to run away from us when we were out for a walk, we'd pick him up and carry him home. We'd tell him if you run away, we'll go home. We would ask him if he knew why we were going home and he'd say, "run away mama." It was very inconvenient to leave a store but we did it and I think it helped him see that mom and dad were serious!

When he's tired he's most likely to run away and not listen. I just try to watch for those times and carry him! I also try to constantly remind him - "Ok, if you're going to walk in the store, you have to stay right next to mommy." I also try to remind him why mommy doesn't want him to run away - it's not safe, there are cars, it scares mommy, etc.

Our little guy runs away for diaper changes too. I tell him it's time for a change and then I sit and wait for him to come over. If I don't engage him or answer him, he'll just come over and lie down (we keep a towel in the living room for downstairs diaper changes). It doesn't work perfectly every time, but I think it's helping. Good luck!

The logical consequence is that he must hold your hand or hold onto a stroller/cart/whatever. Seriously. That's all it is. Just hold his hand. Not a big deal. Once he's doing it without too much fighting (you are stronger than he is, right?) then tell him you'll let go but he must stay right next to you. As soon as he starts to take off, grab his arm/hand and hold his hand. He'll learn quickly that he needs to earn the privilege of walking withouth holding hands. And he wants to be independent at that age.

If you are consistent, it won't take long. Trust me. My autism spectrum son was also a runner at that age. By the time he was 3 he would seldem run - he always walked right next to us.

Also give him opportunities to 'run'. When at a park or other open area without alot of people, tell him he has permission to walk ahead or wander off and explore on his own. No need for him to be within a few feet of you at that point. Once he knows he'll get more freedom in some situations, he's more likely to stick close in crowded ones when you really want him to.

As soon as you start chasing him, he thinks it's a game and will continue. The key is to not let him get away in the first place.

Backpack harness for sure. My kids both run and it is not always practical, so I try to run them out in play to make them more manageable. My 3 1/2 year old (42+ pounds) and now my toddler (25+ pounds) have to be carried across park fields and stuffed back in my car when that mood strikes them, and they are wrestling the whole way.

Your child is not quite able to understand the safety issue here and is, as you say, loving the chase. I have a hand-holding policy with my kids (I only really use the harness for hiking around water or high ledges or in large crowds like at the zoo or some other event). If we are in a parking area of any kind, in or near a road, or around crowds, my children are holding my hands. If they do not hold my hand, they go in a cart or stroller. I make a big deal out of stopping and looking for cars (always have), even jumping to a big stop at the edge of the parking row and asking them to look for cars (even if there are clearly none). You cannot overemphasize safety to them, but make it fun.

Whatever method you settle on, or combination, make sure parents are on board. I'm thankful my in-laws love using our harness and it makes everyone enjoy visits more since my MIL can keep the boys nearby and safe. I load my kids one at a time but have been the mom alone outside of church with one child slung over her shoulder, a diaper bag and a purse almost as big, a Bible falling on the ground, and an older child scrambling underneath the car to get away with me barely clinging to one shoe on his foot. That was embarrassing and a bit scary--thankfully one of the ushers was in the parking lot and hauled him out for me. :)

Consequences are also tough because running is sooooooooo good and so important, but learning where and when to run is the issue. Again, hand holding or harness or a brief session in the dreaded stroller might help.

p.s. I have also always settled on simple phrases about safety and my son now repeats "cars can't see me" when we're near roads. Apparently me reminding him that he is small and cars can't see him has stuck in some way.