OK, my little 2yr. likes to run out in traffic.

Angie - posted on 04/12/2010

I used a child harness with all of my children but I know a lot of people find it offensive. Frankly, I'd rather offend people than have my child get hurt.

Krista - posted on 04/12/2010

Get thee a child harness. And if anybody gives you guff about it, tell them that you've misplaced the memo that said that your childrearing practices are any of their damn business.

Kate CP - posted on 04/12/2010

Yep, child tether time. Get one of those backpack things and use it when you're out. Ignore the stares and comments you get (if you get any at all). You have to keep your son safe.

Tiffany - posted on 04/12/2010

I dont agree when people say he isnt old enough to understand. I believe a 2 year old is plenty old enough to understand concenquences, people under estimate the mind of kids and make excuses for behavior which results in an even more out of controll child. My son does it to. And my son knows if he runs, he gets carried. And if he gets carried he dosnt get a truck from walmart. The way i know he understands is he runs, we say his name , he says no, i wanna walk, we pick him up and he cries for a truck. If that isnt understanding then idk what is. I absolutly cant stand to hear people say a 2 year old dont understand positive and negitive or disipline. It compleat crazy talk if u ask me. Disipline is the only way a child will learn. If u believe in whooping (which i do) then they will learn from that. If u believe in other ways of disipline then so be it.. But i just wanted to throw out there that yes hun, he IS old enough to understand. Just strap him down in a cart or stroller till he gets it that he cant run. Eventually he will get tired of being strapped down and he will quit.

Becky - posted on 04/12/2010

I agree, if he's a runner, then you need to confine him so he can't run until he learns that it's not okay. Put him a cart, a stroller, carry him, use a leash, whatever. If he hates that, then practice with him in places that are safe, where there isn't traffic, how to walk through the parking lot either holding your hand or walking right next to you.
I have a 2 year old too. He loves to get out and walk on his own now, and generally, he's pretty good when I let him. He knows that when we're getting out of the truck and I'm getting his baby brother out, he has to stand right beside me and then has to hold my hand while we're walking through the parking lot or crossing a street. He's usually pretty good, but if he can't do it, then into the cart or stroller he goes, like it or not. I'd rather have people looking at me because my child is pitching a fit than have him dead!

Laura - posted on 04/12/2010

The child-leashes are honestly some of the cutest things these days. They can double as a backpack and you hold the tail, so it doesn't even look like you're restraining them. My daughter bolted for the road only once, since then she either holds my hand or we use her Piglet backpack leash.

He's done this a few times already, so you need to make sure he doesn't do it again otherwise it sadly might be the last time he does.

Dana - posted on 04/12/2010

My son is either carried or has to hold my hand. He's 20 months and would like to take off but he doesn't understand the danger, it is up to us to keep our children safe.

Alison - posted on 04/12/2010

Yup. At this age you want to take control of the situation. He obviously does not get the danger here and he loves the attention and the drama. Take away his freedom until he shows he can be trusted.

With my daughter I always made her hold my hand crossing the street and in parking lots. I would sing to the tune of twinkle, twinkle: "cross the street, cross the street" or "parking lot". It worked well for her, but I dunno about your spunky little boy. ;)

Ashley - posted on 04/12/2010

i was going to say a leash, carry him, or push him a stroller or cart. My opinion 2 is too young to be walking through a parking lot. My son will be 2 and i wouldnt even think to let him walk in a parking lot. Their decision making skills arent developed yet (last part of a child brain to develop) and they dont understand to stop and look for cars before going ahead. My mom told me a story of a little boy that was 2..he was in the complex of his parents apartment building with his parents going to their car. A neighbour didnt see him and backed right over him....killing him. I wouldnt be taking any chances especially if he's almost been hit a couple times......

Gwen - posted on 04/12/2010

Carry him. My daughter wants to walk all the time, but we are in a busy place like the WalMart parking lot I carry her to the carts.

If she ran into traffic I'd smack her butt! As a rule, I don't spank my daughter..but for that, I'll make an exception.

Iridescent - posted on 04/10/2010

It's called a wrist leash. They're $4 at Wal-Mart.

Teresa - posted on 04/10/2010

Leash, carry, or cart. Keep him safe and save the learning for a safer place.



He may be a little old for this, but as soon as my son started walking I would walk him to where the concrete/grass meets the road, point at the road and say 'no no', point at the concrete/grass and say 'yes yes.' I did that a LOT. Now, even a year later, any time he sees black top he calls it a 'no no' and he knows that he is not allowed to walk in the 'no no' unless he is holding Mommy or one of his sisters hands. He also knows it's a street/road/parking lot now, but still calls it a 'no no.' :)

Sharon - posted on 04/10/2010

Use a leash.



Seriously - you've almost had you child hit by a car a "couple of times" what will it take for you to see you've run out of options?



After he gets hit is sort of moot isn't it?

Melissa - posted on 04/10/2010

My daughter is the same way and she's almost 4, getting better but I still have come close to heartattackes in the last couple months. Before having kids I thought those child harnesses were horrible but I ended up investing one of the ones that has the monkey backpack and a tail for the leash part. She's too old for that now but we do like one of the other mom's said and place her in a cart or have a firm grip of her hand as soon as we get out of the car.

Brandi - posted on 04/10/2010

We are hand-holders in my family. If you don't want to hold mommy's hand, you get carried or pushed in a cart. If you are gonna pitch a fit about that, then we'll just go home. It can be almost impossible to deal with a situation like that when you are away from home. My best advice is to try not to discuss the dangers of running into the street during the process of him running into the street. Talk about it often. I would also take him back to the car where you are in a quiet, controlled environment before you lecture him about running in the street. I find it is MUCH easier to discipline my kids when I can create (at least the illusion) of a private space. Often removing them from the "problem" environment can make a world of difference. Good luck and keep that baby safe. I know kids can be challenging at times. :-)

Rebecca - posted on 04/10/2010

My son did the same thing when he was little. It is not a deciding factor, but was one of the reasons that we had him tested for Autism. You may want to mention the problem to your pediatrician and make sure that this behavior is not a sign of something more serious. Past that, some kids just enjoy the thrill of running out and seeing mom's reaction. With my son, I had to pick him up and carry him kicking and screaming into the store, or put him in a cart (which aggrivated him more) but he was safe. Hope that this helps.

Jen - posted on 04/10/2010

get some reins or pick him up n carry him into the store if he dont like say well you can walk but only if u hold mommys hand if u dnt u get picked up again

Nicole - posted on 04/10/2010

He understands but is not able to comprehend the consequences of it. He is not developmentally able to. He is not able to realize that the dog and him could be the same thing. Yes they "test" us all the time but are not trying to "get" us. It's how they learn. I find if I ignore the behavior or set it up so it can not happen (hold his hand or put him in a carriage or cart) then you avoid alot of this. He is VERY young and you need to make sure you are very careful bc he can get hurt. I am going through the same thing with my almost 3 year old hang in there!

Jennifer - posted on 04/10/2010

I try to find a cart in the parking lot and put my son in it right away. Then I can safely push him through the parking lot. I may only have one small bag and I will still use the cart to take him back to the car. Otherwise, he knows he has to hold my hand. Using a stroller or a child's safety harness is another option.