We've got a runner!

[polineedyan]

Well, its time for our 2.5 yo to learn about public safety. She is very good in parking lots, and will not run into the street at home. At the mall, however, the kid will NOT stay with us. She just wanders off shopping..doesnt get lost, but still.."where is she?"..She has 3 sibs and 2 'rents..Been going to the mall and stores and such to try to get her "park savvy" so we dont need ( or in case she refuses ) the stroller.Thought about "the leash" but I just cant see it working out. I see her pulling mommy, or freaking out to pull it off. She is a spaaz, and we work on that a lot..However, our last mall trip has me thinking "who can we LEAVE her with here at home.." Any advice for a frustrated dad of 4 who now has A RUNNER?

 

[tnkr_bell]

My dd5 always, and still does, likes to wander off. My suggestion is to take the stroller with you and have her sit in it. When she wants out let her out, but if she runs off she goes straight back in the stroller. I kind of used it as a time out when we were out. Other than that they now have cute little backpack type leashes. We have a monkey one and my dd really likes to wear it. The tail of the monkey is the leash part and it reall seemed to work a lot better than the one that just attaches to the wrist.

My only other suggestion is to make sure she has some sort of identification on her, like the name and number tatoos that have been talked about on here, so if she does get lost someone knows how to get ahold of you. And make sure you talk to her about what to do if she does get lost, and who is safe to go up and ask for help. Either a CM or a Mom with children is usually a safe bet. Good luck, and have a great trip.

 

[Perditamarie]

Here is a link to the harness backpack:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4532497

 

[of2dbeach]

they had some really cute backpack/ harnesses at Walmart. they were minnie mouse, pluto, mickey and i think a Dalmation ?? They were in where the purses were at. maybe she would like that instead of a harness? she could put little treasures in it too ? i taught my kids ( 5 kids .. scream and run ) that if i have a problem with Mike ( a runner ) who is 15 and Autistic. they take the smallest children by the hand and wait for me to get done with mike. if that means sitting on a bench and waiting thats what they do. that way i am not chasing him while they are off somewhere else.I just got my smallest DD who is 5 a thing at pet Smart of all places it is a little canister that unscrews and it has a piece of paper inside it with your info.. its for dogs but had a nice ring on the end so i looped it to her shoe lace. that way if she does get lost it is easy to see and get to our cell phone numbers while in the parks. check at the library and see if they have any movies in reguards to staying with your daddy while shopping etc. maybe even books she could look at the pics in them. i was always scared to take Mike out but a little at a time , and many times dragging him out to the car when he ran off and we went right home has pretty much stopped him from running off. i think after a few times of taking her home immediatly if she runs off and telling her how scared she made you she should get the point that it is no longer a game and it is not fun to run off. I tell my kids if they cant see me, Icant see you.. and like my oldest says "dead kid walking " lol plus the fact of all the crazies out now I tell em i love them too much if they cant behave they have to stay at home with grams and if that means they miss Disney.. thats there choice not mine.. I hope this helps i am sure others will have ideas also..

 

[DevilDuckie]

I applaud your decision not to walk her on a leash.

I would look seriously at what the current consequences are for her "running." Are you letting it go with a mild, "stop that" or are there real consequences? Timeouts or missing fun stuff? Rweards for keeping herself in check? This is at its root a behavior issue like any other. Nip it in the bud with whatever discipline you use on other misdeeds.

 

[james'mommy]

My sister uses the harness backpack cause my nephew is a runner.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

We just bought one for my 28 month-old and I don't care what anyone thinks. He is a very active toddler who wants to walk rather than ride in the stroller. I don't want to take the chance of him wandering off or running away from us in the middle of WDW. We purchased the backpack leash from Toy's R Us. They also had a purse harness for little girls that I'm sure your DD would love! In addition to being cute, they won't be as hot as the animal backpacks, which are equally cute! I wish you the best of luck and don't let anyone tell you not to do it just because they don't agree with the leash!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Two and a half is still very young. Some kids at that age aren't developmentally ready to understand the consequences of their actions so it's up to you to do whatever is necessary to keep her safe. I would practice using the stroller and/or a harness in malls and other public places before your trip. She may rebel, but she has to learn that she can't always make the choice of whether to walk, ride or be fastened to an adult. WDW has far too many people and far too many interesting things to attract an active toddler. Training her to do things your way may not be pleasant, but will be safer for her and give you more peace of mind in the long run. Good luck!

 

[pweyl36]

I never gave my kids a choice, It was either the stroller or shopping cart. No choices, when they learned to hold my hand with out running off then they didnt have to use the stroller or cart.