Almost 3 Year Old "Will Not Stay Beside Me When Leaving School"

Hi W., I know you said you have tried time outs and that doesn't work and that is because she is not getting it right then and there! Now what I would do is pop her on her butt when she runs to the door then get down in front of her and explain to her that she can get hurt really bad if she were to get out in the road! also tell her that she doesn't have to hold your hand but she does have to walk beside you!! I would also pop her everytime she runs away and do it right then and then she will understand that what she did right then is the wrong thing! good luck, D.

When my girls were toddlers, they responded to games better when it came to issues like this. We created a "Safe Zone" If they were where they could not see me eye to eye, they were no longer in the safe zone, and they lost the game. You could tell her she doesn't have to hold your hand, but that she has to be able to be close enough to touch you if she stretches out her arm. Also, we would have little talks about staying close to me because some stranger might take them far away from me. Also, I explained that they might physically get hurt if they didn't stay near me. Of course with toddlers, nothing ever works 100% of the time! You've received several great responses from the other moms, good luck!

My daughter (5 now) occassionally acted like that, and still does every once in a while. I found that when I take her calmly out of that situation and calm her down to talk to her, she responds well. For instance, if I would grab her hand, she would just pull harder and I would have to squeeze my hand tighter to get her to do what I wanted. Everything would just escalate. If I pulled her to the side, calmed her down, and then told her why I didn't want her running off, she seemed to understand a little better why I was acting the way I was, and then she would cooperate better. She didn't always remember from one time to the next, but little reminders helped for us.

I hope this helps some!

I bought a buddy harness for my 3 yo when we went to disney world because she doesnt like to hold hands. It have an animal she likes and she had no problems with it. She wants to put it on all the time.IT GOES AROUND HER WASTE AND SHOLDERS AND HAS A LEASH FOR ME TO HOLD. WE BOUGHT IT NEW OFF OF EBAY. Hope it helps!