What do I do with a runner?

[hotcoconuts82]

Besides put him on a leash?

Ds is a runner. He doesn't like to hold my hand and has zero issue with not being able to see me. When i try to reign him in, he has a tantrum. This is SO different than my girls. They still stick to me in a public place. Any advice? Should I just never leave the house?

[marygracerich]

I had to train (for lack of a better word) G to hold my hand. For awhile she would throw an insane tantrum. She has gotten much better. She sometimes still tries to pull away but doesn't always. I was able to hold her hand for longer periods of time every time I tried it and now she makes it all the way to the car.

[robotpcr]

What I do (and she's still far from perfect) is say "hand or up". At first she didn't get it and would pull away and I'd say "ok, you chose up". And I'd pick her up (which she hates, she wants to walk everywhere) and then I'd carry her tantruming all the way to the car. When she calmed down I'd explain that she has to hold mommy's hand if she wants to walk. And then we'd try it all over again the next trip. I still have to remind her frequently that she doesn't get to walk if she doesn't hold a hand but generally the threat is enough.

And if you need a leash then do it! My brother was a runner so my mom leashed him in certain places.

[CatLady]

Feb 9, 2017 12:48:03 GMT -5 robotpcr said:

What I do (and she's still far from perfect) is say "hand or up". At first she didn't get it and would pull away and I'd say "ok, you chose up". And I'd pick her up (which she hates, she wants to walk everywhere) and then I'd carry her tantruming all the way to the car. When she calmed down I'd explain that she has to hold mommy's hand if she wants to walk. And then we'd try it all over again the next trip. I still have to remind her frequently that she doesn't get to walk if she doesn't hold a hand but generally the threat is enough.

And if you need a leash then do it! My brother was a runner so my mom leashed him in certain places.

All of this. He doesn't get to run. So, he can make a choice to hold hands, be in the cart, be held, etc. if he needs a leash, so be it. We have one for airports and such. No shame.

I've had families keep their kids in strollers, too. That seems to work.

[hotcoconuts82]

Ok guys. Thanks for giving me hope! I use a stoller or shopping cart at stores. But the library was a disaster and getting the girls from the bus stop has been...special. If I try to hold his hand or pick him up, he'll go limp and fall to the ground. Ahhh toddlers.

[seventythree]

Mom of a runner here to commiserate. Ditto on using carts/strollers when possible, but OMG libraries are the worst! She just tears away into the stacks. I also dread any place where we need to remove our shoes, cause I can't negotiate it one-handed.

[lilbarn]

DS isn't so much a runner but he's into everything. We use the stroller most of the time or carry him short distances. Still have to watch his hands to see what he's grabbing for but at least we know where he is. We've considered getting a leash but haven't done it yet.

[ker9171]

Another runner here ..... So glad I'm not alone. What child leashes are the least awkward?

[CatLady]

Feb 9, 2017 21:24:15 GMT -5 ker9171 said:

Another runner here ..... So glad I'm not alone. What child leashes are the least awkward?

I have one of the backpack leashes from Eddi Bauer. It works well. She likes wearing a backpack. That being said, we haven't used it in months.

[hotcoconuts82]

Feb 10, 2017 7:08:42 GMT -5 petrichor said:

Feb 9, 2017 18:34:29 GMT -5 hotcoconuts82 said:

Ok guys. Thanks for giving me hope! I use a stoller or shopping cart at stores. But the library was a disaster and getting the girls from the bus stop has been...special. If I try to hold his hand or pick him up, he'll go limp and fall to the ground. Ahhh toddlers.

I call that "going noodley."

E isn't really a runner, but he has perfected going noodley.

Lol that's the perfect name for it!

[obi]

Sorry others are dealing with runners but I am happy to see Im not alone on this.
I sometimes feel like Ive done something wrong because of the way C gets. He refuses to hold a hand and just takes off. He also never just walks, he has to run and I cannot keep up anymore. This kid is so high energy and totally fearless.

I have been practicing holding hands inside by asking him to take me to his room for diaper changes or to the kitchen for meals. I like the advice above of "hand or up". When the weather gets nicer and we are back out for daily walks I will have to try this.


Basically I am zero help.