I have a runner!

[jennab]

I'm sure this subject has been discussed before but I need some advice! My 2.5 yr old DS is a runner. He just keeps going and doesn't pay attention to where we are. Our trip is in 2 months and I'm worried about him just running off! Need some suggestions on what has worked for others with this problem (backpack leash or something similar).

TIA!

 

[Aliceacc]

OK, if he's apt to run, your priority is on how to keep him close.

OF COURSE, good parenting is the first line of defense. And we know that you'll do all within your power-- that's why you started the thread. You're looking for backup in case you get distracted for a second.

How is he in the stroller? Is there something you can do or buy or use to entice him to spend some quality time there? Or are you willing to put up with his unhappiness and put him in there anyway at crunch times-- like park closing?? Think of it as a vaccine-- painful for them short term, but absolutely necessary in terms of their safety. Can you purchase a toy that he only gets to use in the stroller, or some glow bracelets or something to entice him to use it when it's non negotiable? Maybe a stuffed Mickey that's tethered to the stroller so it won't be dropped and lost in the crowds?

What many people do is purchase a harness attached to a tether. There are a number out there that look like a backpack, with 2 feet or so of tether between you and your child. Of course, you still have to watch, but it gives your child a feeling of independence while still keeping him safe. And it means that he's not reaching his hand up over his head why you hunch over in order to hold his hand.

One other suggestion that may not be obvious: give him freedom under more controlled circumstances. So, for example, in the Dig site at DHS-- it has only one entrance/exit. Let him go crazy and wander wherever he wants. One of you follow him, and the other stations him/herself on the benches and relaxes, then you trade. Find times and places where you can safely indulge his need for independence, so that he doesn't feel constricted all day long.

Also, I would work, HARD, on what happens if he does run. Make sure your cell phone number is prominent, so whoever finds him can get in touch. I'm not sure that the other rules for a lost child would work for a child that young-- he's not old enough to realize he should go up to a CM. But think in terms of visibility when you dress him each morning-- You want him in bright colors that stand out. And take his picture every single morning so you can give an accurate description should it be necessary.

 

[aussiemumma101]

.

 

[jennab]

Thanks to both of you . He does ok in a stroller but likes his independence and to walk…. We plan to bring the stroller each day. I just worry that he is not scared of being lost or anything. It's hard because we have to chase him when he runs and then he thinks it's a game. Hoping he grows out of this soon!

I will check out the harness or backpack leashes. I don't mind if people give me dirty looks. I would rather get those then have a lost child .

Good idea on making sure our phone number is on him. Maybe I can get something to put on him to make it visible. Any ideas? He wouldn't understand to show someone a phone number if it is hidden…

 

[Aliceacc]

Thanks to both of you . He does ok in a stroller but likes his independence and to walk…. We plan to bring the stroller each day. I just worry that he is not scared of being lost or anything. It's hard because we have to chase him when he runs and then he thinks it's a game. Hoping he grows out of this soon!

I will check out the harness or backpack leashes. I don't mind if people give me dirty looks. I would rather get those then have a lost child .

Good idea on making sure our phone number is on him. Maybe I can get something to put on him to make it visible. Any ideas? He wouldn't understand to show someone a phone number if it is hidden…

How about writing it on his arm in Sharpie?

 

[aussiemumma101]

.

 

[jennab]

I wasn't sure about writing it on his arm. Is that safe? I mean sharpie and all? Maybe I will look for one of those bands that he can't get off .

 

[grafxgirl]

We did the freedom under control circumstances like one of the posters mentioned. Let our kids loose in Dino Dig area, a play area, etc. We would also try to pick days and times during our trip that were less likely to be crowded in the parks to let our kids run loose. They never went further than a few feet in front of us. We took the stroller in case they got tired. Now our kids are 8 and 11 and know their way around WDW as well as any adult because we've gone so often.

I also purchased arm band that had our cell numbers, room number and resort on them. Our kids also know if they get lost to look for the nearest person with the Cast Member name badge. We showed them what the badges look like.

These are the bands I bought. Once they were on, my kids could not get them off. http://toloveandprotect.com/item_23/Kids-Safe-Club--Child-ID-Wristbands.htm

 

[Aliceacc]

The high school kids I teach write on their hands all the time..I'm constantly offering them paper, but they prefer their hands!

Yeah, it's safe. I wouldn't put his name, but "mom:111-222-3333". Should be fine.

 

[AAPDisney]

Can ou write your cell number on his magic band?

 

[jennab]

We did the freedom under control circumstances like one of the posters mentioned. Let our kids loose in Dino Dig area, a play area, etc. We would also try to pick days and times during our trip that were less likely to be crowded in the parks to let our kids run loose. They never went further than a few feet in front of us. We took the stroller in case they got tired. Now our kids are 8 and 11 and know their way around WDW as well as any adult because we've gone so often. I also purchased arm band that had our cell numbers, room number and resort on them. Our kids also know if they get lost to look for the nearest person with the Cast Member name badge. We showed them what the badges look like. These are the bands I bought. Once they were on, my kids could not get them off. http://toloveandprotect.com/item_23/Kids-Safe-Club--Child-ID-

Wristbands.htm

Thank you! I may have to order this! If I give him a foot he takes 12! He just doesn't pay attention nor care of he is close to us! It's scary because of course I don't want anything bad to happen to him.

 

[amygphillips]

You could use these so if he does run....but we use the stroller and leash and my almost 4 year old is a runner as well and this will be his 3rd trip and he's done fine! Good luck!

 

[amygphillips]

http://www.safetytat.com

 

[bdcp]

I'm sure this subject has been discussed before but I need some advice! My 2.5 yr old DS is a runner. He just keeps going and doesn't pay attention to where we are. Our trip is in 2 months and I'm worried about him just running off! Need some suggestions on what has worked for others with this problem (backpack leash or something similar).

TIA!

Having raised two boys I can tell you a lot could change in 2 months. He may mature enough to understand he can't run off. My oldest DS was a bit of a runner until he was about 2.5. At about 18 months I had to use a leash system temporarily. He's 30 now so he survived. My youngest DS never ran. He never let me out of his sight (he's 28 now). My point is, you may not have an issue in 2 months. I prefer the wrist to wrist systems. I wish they'd had those when my DS was 2. At 2.5 your DS is old enough to understand that if he doesn't stay with you he will have to go into the stroller. Have a little talk with him every day and enforce the rule. Make him hold your hand, etc. and then you might be able to go without harnessing him to you.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Thumbs up for being pro-active!!! Assuming everything else is typical for him, you can do a lot in 2 months to try to help the situation. Kids are all different and self control is HARD for little guys.
Try this:
Tell his that you guys are going to practice being safe at WDW. Take him to a safe place that has something fun there, for example a park where the playground is within it and safely away from cars etc. Explain to him that you guy are going to walk together to the playground and then he can play, BUT he has to walk beside you because if he runs away, you will not be able to stay and play. Repeat this as many times and places as possible so he will see there is a good reason to stay with you.
Breaking running is sooooo hard, because if it's a dangerous situation, you HAVE to go after him. Now if he runs away from you in a situation that is not dangerous....don't chase him but firmly tell him that if he runs away from you, he will get a time out or whatever you choose to do. He will come back at some point and you place him in time out or whatever.
I would also go ahead and get the lease and practice with it. Still insist he hold your hand and walk nicely beside you, the lease is just insurance. Reward him with praise every time he makes an effort to obey.
I also agree to give him lots of places to run off some energy and some down time as needed. Ignore any unhelpful advice.
We wrote our cell numbers on the white upper part of a tennis shoes once. Im not a fan of a sharpie on a child's skin but hey, it's better than loosing the kid.

 

[Crl1817]

You have gotten lots of good suggestions. When my oldest was that age he was a runner too. I made the rule that if he ran, he got put in the stroller immediately. No second chances. It took multiple times showing him that I meant it, but I did manage to get him to stop running from me. I know every kid is different, but I just wanted to mention that as a way to possibly help curb the running. At a place like disney world, I think the more precautions the better.

 

[jennab]

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses! It's nice to know in not alone with this issue too

I do like the stroller idea, as in if you don't listen it's stroller right away. I will have to try practicing at stores with carts too as he always wants to walk. He did manage to run off when DH was watching him at target yesterday. Scary!!!! Like I said he thinks it's a game and of course in that situation we must run after him.

I am going to try to practice and see if he can get the hang of it more. We do have a park a block away so I will try that suggestion too .

Do they still make the wrist to wrist system ones? I had something like that when I was little but haven't seen it since.

 

[usagibuffy]

I had a runner too, and even at almost 5 she will still wander away to look at something without paying attention to where we are. I used a harness and leash from Munchkin - no backpack, just the harness and removable leash. I certainly got dirty looks from strangers, but hey, at least she was safe! I've had her mostly walking in theme parks since she was 3, rather than riding in a stroller. I made a big deal out of her holding my hand when we walked, but kept the loop of the leash around my wrist so when she inevitably pulled her hand free and bolted, she was tethered. I was more comfortable with that than with simply "walking" her on the leash, plus she was unable to trip people with the leash. (Nowadays at her age, we talk about what to do if she gets lost, label her, and I let her "get lost" if we're in a low risk environment. I figure one of these days she'll figure out to stay with me. )

 

[daisy 'n donald]

dd will be 21 months when we go and she's a runner too....she's getting better at hand holding but much prefers to be on her own...we try and take walks with her to have her practice but i know wdw is a different story...
i used to side eye parents with leashes but now i totally get it....we'll be getting the backpack kind....the skip hop ones are cute animals....the leash is detachable so she can use it as a regular backpack for daycare too...
she's ok in the stroller for a while but when we take her out it's hard to get her back in...
it'll be a lot of walking so i think she'll be in the stroller more than i think

 

[bekkiz]

I have twins and both loved to take off at that age. We practiced, practiced, practiced the following rule:

You hold my hand or you hold the stroller. You let go, you're now getting buckled into the stroller (or we're leaving as the case may be). They loved being able to walk, so it was a good logical consequence.

We did this at the zoo, the mall, Target etc. I just had to be super consistent and it paid off during our trip at 2.5. The only run off moment we had was when grandma was in charge and she's not as good at enforcing the rules as I am.