I have a son who just turned two-years-old, and he has become a “runner.” He will run away as fast as he can towards the nearest street!! This has happened three times to me. The little guy is FAST, and he does it without warning, at any given opportunity. He now has a harness, and we all watch him like a hawk, but it’s seriously weighing on my mind. I’ve disciplined him and explained to him the danger. “You get owwies if you run into the road!” “DANGER!” “You stay close to mom!” Etc. I read somewhere that perhaps its because he gets a huge reaction that he does it? Has anyone else had this issue, and what solved it? At this point, I feel like all I can do is keep him close and hope he outgrows it soon! It’s beyond stressful and could have seriously tragic consequences if I don’t get this under control!
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I had that problem then we soon found out his was autistic and then 1 thing after another. We never found anything that helped. He has been in a lock down facility ever since. Good luck
I’ve heard of people throwing a loved toy under a car to show what happens but idk at 2 I don’t think they would understand.
I guess you’ve just gotta try different ways and finds out what works best for you. My 2yr old use to do it all the time. I would grab him and firmly tell him no you must be holding mummy or daddy’s hand if u want to go on the road. Most of the time now he goes to walk out and I asks him if he is holding mommy’s hand he’ll stop and think about it then grab my hand. He still does run out from time time but not like he use to.
Unpopular opinion, i used a backpack leash with my runner 
eventually he realized if he didnt want to wear it he needed to stop running
I know this doesn’t work with all kids but when my 4 year old runs off i say bye and turn the other way, he comes right back. My 2 year old listens when he’s told no the first time.
I use a backpack harness! I don’t give a 
what anyone says about it, I know my kid is safe, close to me but still has independance as well. In fact I used one with my now 8 year old when she was younger too.
I just held my kids hands at all times. When they tried pulling away they got their butt whipped. They learned if they wanted to walk by themselves and not get in trouble they would have to stop running and follow moms instructions.
My son is 2. He does the same thing & I’m 8 months pregnant. I physically CANNOT chase him down fast enough.
It’s very stressful. Yelling, spanking, nor explaining the consequences has helped us. He just thinks it’s hilarious. So I don’t take him outside much unless he’s strapped in his wagon or stroller. 
Ive use the backpack leash before in public places.
I know it’s not always ideal, but I’d walk my son up and down the street as practice for nice walking. If we were going to the park for example, and he’d start, we’d go home. He soon learned that nice walking meant he got to go places.
Spank that boys butt my son tried this once a couple months back. He’s two and mommy showed him Excatly what would happen he ran into the street I took his favorite blanket and tossed it out there it was destroyed. He never did it again and now has a healthy fear of the road.
Get a leash. They’ll grow out of it. My daughter ran out the door when I was trying to pay at Kohls one time. Her safety was worth the weird looks. That was my 3rd child. Parenting style all the same, some kids are just braver and a little bit more wild.
Be sure to have child safety locks on all doors and baby gates. The baby harness is a good idea
When my 2.5yr old runs away from I say hos name loud and sternly and I run/walk after him and I grab his arm and walk/pull him back to the house. I’m not soft about it but I’m also not like rough either, when i say pull i dont mean like pull his arm so hard out the socket, hell fight me and he gets dragged and a ass whopping on the way. I dont put up with that at all,
I had one that used to do that. Turn your back for one second & he was gone! I had to put spring loaded hook locks on my doors at the very top. He eventually outgrew it, but it took a while.
I used a backpack leash. I had to do it with both of my boys. They learned quick that if they stayed by me, they didn’t have to wear it. My oldest also didn’t like when we were out with my friend and her kids, and he was the only one wearing it. Tell anyone who tries to shame you to eff off. Some kids are runners. Do what you have to to keep them safe 
I’m scared of this! Our little boy is 16 months and oh my gosh he is wide open!!! 
We have three girls and none where like he is.
Thanks for posting this because I’m looking for tips as well
I have the same problem! He is now 4.5 and I can’t use backpacks as he knows how to unclip them 
Now he stays in trolleys or strollers and is so so cranky as all he wants to do is run.
But it’s all I can do besides let him get into the road and under a car.
He is 2, they all do it, just keep stopping him and he will out grow it
You may not like my answer but my son was a runner at that age. After the 2nd time he stopped thank god. The 1st time I got onto him and explained why this was a bad thing to do. The 2nd I whooped his butt and told him if he did it again and a car hit him he would die and never see me or daddy again ever. I scared him to death ever since then he was very good. I ended up doing this with stranger danger as well. By the time I had my second kid. We don’t sugar coat anything we straight up tell them the truth of what can happen.
At that age they are excited about their new way of transportation, lmao. It’s just a phase, all you can really do is what ur already doing. Eventually it will get easier.
I used and backpack leash and a wrist leash with mine. Better safe than sorry. Lost my daughter in Wal-Mart one time. And I could hear her screaming. Never again.
I wasn’t a runner when I was a kid, I was a wanderer. I have pictures of me with rope around my waist, thru something & tired up to a clothes line or porch. And at almost 67 yrs old…I still love to wander Now as for your runner, I would talk to his pediatrician, look at his diet. Just how much sugar is he having…oh & you will be surprised. If you have a fenced in yard, let him outside. If not, go to a park & let him play & run. & have fun as all kids should. And watch just what he eats
My youngest still will do this, and she’s 5 she has no impulse control. She has gotten better in the last year about the road. But now she’s moved on to parking lots 
I made mine sit strapped into a stroller or the grocery cart until he wanted to act like a big boy that could listen and walk with mama… he quickly grew out of this phase though…
Get some reins or one of the wrist straps ive got a wrist one for when we go on holiday.
I have used something with my girls that kind of might help, maybe it will instil a bit of change in the moment. We started playing a freeze game. I yell freeze and they stop immediately because we are playing… We also say “melt” and they sit. They find it funny and we added a few more phrases they stand like a Tree, you can get creative when they are older. And it actually helped me in a moment where my heart dropped.
Two years may be young but starting it early might help.
Also if it doesn’t work all for a backpack…screw what people might say protect you baby anyway you can momma!
My daughter was a runner. Let me tell you I made fun of parents all the time who put their kid on a leash UNTIL I had one of my own. It wasn’t safe for her at all. No matter how much someone tells you to control them sometimes you can’t. She was FAST. It was the best option for us and she learned to stop running
They have these really cool wrist cuffs for you and little to wear! My son thinks they’re awesome
Omg that was my daughter who is now 14 , if I would have known about the leash option I would have taken it in a heartbeat. Grab one or the wristlet ones. Good luck !!! I’ve been through it .
They make the wrist bands with a cord attached for mom and baby to wear on amazon. Then when he runs he’ll get nowhere and you don’t have to react at all. Then he’ll stop doing it because he’s not getting the reaction he wants and you’ll have peace of mine knowing he is safe
I am 60 years old. My mom still tells a story… I was about three years old,and I was a runner also. We lived on indianola avenue in Columbus. We were out in the yard playing oh, I saw a cat and took off running into the street. Got hit by a car , I was not hurt because the driver was not going fast. My mom grabbed me up check me all out once she found out I was okay she fired my butt up.! She says I never did that again.! 
My boy started running, so now I hold his hand (actually his wrist, better grip) at all times, he gets to run free at home once the gates are shut and hes safe, I think for my boy, it’s more he loves to walk rather then go in the buggy or car, so I’ve started taking him for walks more, holding his hand, if he wont hold my hand, he knows we wont go or I wont keep walking, I will stand there and ask if he wants to keep walking and hold mummies hand, and he usually stops pretty quick. I had a friend have her partner drive past and honk super loud, and she hasn’t gone near the road again without waiting for mum, as it gave her a fright.
Consistency is key. Always, always tell him ok let’s stop, do you see any cars, look that way how many cars are coming let’s wait for them to go. Teach him to look at the driver of the vehicles, ok do you see them they are waiting for us to cross, let’s go, wave and say thank you. Teach him to do it safely.
We were at a birthday party when my one and a half year old bolted through the other side of the rooms door and he was lost for a good twenty mins i was hysterical after that we bought a leash and plan on using it next weekend for a huge yard sale event people stare and say im a monster but atleast i know my kids safe!
My daughter snuck out the door and played on the sidewalk we moved
Even if you are practicing on a road that has no cars just get him in the habit of stopping and looking.
I told my daughter she runs in the road and gets hit by a car then she dies and can’t be with her family any more. She listened after that
Maybe positive rewarding? On walks to the house from the car he gets a chocolate or something you can keep in your purse without mess. You run away from mommy you get no treat and get scolded. Heavy with the praise when he does well
Find a side street and have someone else with you to be the catcher if he runs off but use basic words. No mommy/daddy No street while pointing to the street. Then grab his hand and show it off then walk across the street. Once you get to the side walk show and say safe. Then repeat and if you see a car make it a big scene(not scary just oh look a car! Just repeatedly so they dont loose focus) and go to safe and watch the car go bye and even wave and say bye to the car for fun.
Bad mom here. My daughter saw a dead deer on the road. I told her that could happen if she runs in the street.
My mom whooped the shit out of me and my brother. We learned real fast that the street is a no.
Play freeze, practice with him at home, say freeze and he has to be super still like a statue it can happen at any time you could be walking through the back yard and you have to yell freeze he has to be as still as possible till you say he can move get him to freeze you too make it a game
I used an Ergo (soft carrier). A friend kept her kids in a stroller until they outgrew it.
Have you tried playing the game red light green light? I used it for slightly older kids, but it worked for a split second most days.
I snatched mine up in the road and wore their ass out. Worked like a charm. When she calmed down I explained why. I told her before spanking her after the first time and it didn’t work. Probably another unpopular opinion but it did work.
I got a few looks and one or two comments but I had a backpack leash for my oldest. Especially once I became pregnant again. She was 18 months old, didn’t listen and was (still is) the friendliest kid I’ve ever met. So if she saw something or someone she wanted to meet, she’d take off. Didn’t matter if they were 2 feet away or across the street.
Not only for her safety, my safety, and my peace of mind but for our whole household.
As she got older she grew out of not listening and has become more aware of her surroundings but that backpack was our saving grace for a while. Don’t regret it a bit
Keep little lollipops in your back pocket when he starts running ask him if he wants a lollipop
Believe it or not works like a charm it did for me.
My 2 year old is the same 
Yep not gonna like this but my eldest son was the same and his dad smacked his bum thinking he had nappy on he didn’t and the slap was hard. But… Never ever did it again. Safety first always
Show him some gentle videos of people being hit by cars and make all the appropriate noises. - uh oh, oh no!! Ouch!! Ect xx
I have one of these for my runner. They have different kinds on amazon.
My youngest does this. He loves being chase by people. I would get him if he went out I to the road. But most of the time he would get close to the road and look to see if anyone would get up. When he would run out of the road I would just make him sit down or take him inside and told him no more outside today. His favorite thing to do now is throw a ball in the road and watch it go down the street and then chase after it. So now every single time he does that I just put the ball away or I will play catch with him with the ball . Will even throw it over his head sometimes just so he can chase after it and then he will throw it back at me. He is gonna be 3 this august. Just keep doing what you are comfortable with and what works best for him to figure out it’s not okayy to just run out to the road. Sometimes I even have to walk down the hill with him and back up the hill just so he would get tired of running. I am still going through this but it’s getting easier. Just have to wait it out and do what you got to do to keep him out of the road.
Unpopular opinion but how about when u walk if he runs near the road make a loud noise … if he dont reward with hugs or stickers … I know … dont scare ur kids blar blar blar but better than having a dead kid
I have a lead backpack. It stops my son from running off. I still talk to him about the dangers and to not run off but, he gets 3 warnings and then I get out the lead. I have only had it for a week and he’s behaviour at the shops has improved.
I agree with one of the comments above. I have 3 boys are 14, 10 and 5… when my oldest was about 2 to 3 years old he and my nephew who are the exact same age, managed to get outside and walk across the yard heading straight for the road (we lived right on the highway, and had a small front yard) mind you i was standing right there in the living room talking to my bro in law… the moment i noticed they were no longer in the house i ran outside just in time to see them step onto the pavement. And a couple of cars stopped… i panicked of course… brought them inside… scolded them and took my son into his room and tore his little butt up…a whipping isnt my first response to most things but when it comes to dangerous situations, momma dont play!!! He never tried it again. Never snuck off again period. We had talked and talked about it before… but small kids are very impulsive… and can get awsy from you SO fast. He still remembers it to this day.
At 2, you just keep him harnessed and remind him its VERY dangerous. Not just “owie” but “HUGE owie.” Avoid coddling him right after too so he doesn’t equate doing that with positive feelings, like how our first instinct is to hug them after doing something like that.
I have 4 children my youngest was the only one who was a runner. She was fast! Used a wrist to wrist leash until she was old enough to understand. Better safe than sorry.
My brother was a runner when he was little and my mom used an actual dog leash on his jeans. This was before the backpack leashes were a thing. if it works dont judge. But when your kid is a runner you gotta do what you gotta do.
I puy chain link fence up in my yard. It was that cheap but I no longer worry about him running into traffic🙄
Child leash straight up I used one all my kids were runners it’s kept them safe and they still felt independent
Our daughter did this at any opportunity. She escaped all reins and wrist straps. Twice we had to take her to hospital as her elbow popped out where I’d grabbed her. The last time was when she was 4 she slipped away as I was holding a bag and trying to lock the car and ran across the road. To this day I don’t know how the lady skidded and avoided her, she missed her by inches and was completely shaken herself. When I got in the house my legs gave way and I couldn’t stop crying. She’d never seen me cry that way and She’s never done it since.
My great grand daughter did that to me… when her mom came to pick her up… she had a long talk with her and told her she can’t do that … you scared Grammie so bad… you made her cry… she never did it again… I’m 74 year’s old and could not run fast enough to catch her
My almost 2 year old is the same! He escaped from the babysitter 3x’s so far. Climbed her chain link fence two of those times and escaped our house once! I use the backpack leash on him in public places! Not going to lie, I’ve absolutely thought about putting the backpack on him and putting him on a running line strung between two trees while we’re trying to work outside in the yard!
We used a monkey backpack leash type thing for our daughter when she was in that phase!!
Be honest… “Get owwies” doesn’t cut it… Scare tactics do. “You will get run over by a car and get seriously hurt or die.”
I have spanked my oldest for running out infront of a car. She never did it again… Trust me. They will remember the sting of a spanking.
Decide if you want to spank your child or have a dead one laying under a car… Not that hard of a choice for me…
If everything else hasn’t worked…try letting him watch a video about street safety… Or even put a doll. Behind the wheel of a car and run over it… Some kids need scare tactics. You cannot baby them forever
My oldest (2) does this. He even walks out the front door if we forget to lock it. Terrifying. His hand has to be held outside of the house literally 24/7 even out walking by ourselves because he just bolts off to go explore! I’m glad hes so curious but its dangerous
I don’t think my kid was the level your talking about but anytime I took her near a Parking lot or street I would tell her we are going in a parking lot you have to behave then I firmly held her hand or held her because she would run and think it’s funny. But my cousin was another story he loved running away everywhere we went and that boy needed a leash until he grew out of it because you couldn’t do anything not even set your purse down without him taking off. If the leash works I’d use it you just need to decide how your child is it’s not a reflection on your parenting some kids just run better to be safe. Both of the kids grew out of it it just takes time
Has he got evaluated for any delays?
My daughter is autistic and when she was that age she did the same thing. She has ZERO fear of anything. Nothing scares her. She is not afraid of cars heights nothing. We tried everything you can with nothing working except a stroller. If she came out of the car she got belted into the stroller right away. We had to fence every where we went. We brought snow fence and spikes with us to friends family. I hope you have a better experience then we did as it is super scary. Still now at 7 she has no fear. She does listen but we are talking 5 years of teaching her to keep her hand on my gas cap on my car.
Stroller, leash, carrier. Anything to keep that boy safe!!
My hand is on my runner at all times. In the yard he’s in a fence. At the grocery store I park next to a cart return and he goes straight in a cart. We don’t do the park unless I have one adult per child. We have to be safe. Also hand on car when I’m trying to load/unload a sibling or he stands between me and the open door while I get the other kid out. If we are having a bad listening day, we don’t leave the house.
I’ve used a backpack leash on both of my runners and refuse to let others make me feel bad about it. Sorry Karen, my kids are alive so you can take the judgement and shove it where the sun don’t shine.
The only time I ever spanked my oldest was when he ran in the road. It was the only thing that worked for him. Try to use simple terms for him. I’ve found less words and being more direct with what you want works.
I almost watched my boy get hit 4th of july weekend, we never kept our eyes off him. Happens so fast when they are a runner. I then purchased this. You will have people said rude remarks but those people would be the same to make those “where were the parents” remarks if it were to happen.
Ignore them! This thing is LITERALLY a life saver!
What’s wrong with carrying the 2yr old? We carry ours in the parking lots, and let him run freely at the park and use a store buggy or stroller when we are going for a walk or at the store or mall. All these people saying they are whooping their kids, some 2yr olds don’t even have the capacity to even process or understand what is happening when it comes to cars. Give them a break, they are only learning, some take longer than others but hitting them because they simply don’t understand is wrong! Use a leash if you absolutely have to like other moms are mentioning.
Perfectly normal. Just gotta carry, stroller or leash them.
My 2 year old does this especially when riding her bike around the neighborhood. I think it’s because they’re just really excited to explore what’s out there. I’ve heard leashes were effective but are frowned upon. Use a stroller and strap him until he knows better. Right now they’re fearless!
No leashes!!! Hes not a dog.
I take my 2 yr old in the house everytime he does it. The longer he whines to go back out, the longer we wait. So if he whines for 10 minutes, we wait 15 minutes after he stops.
I let my daughter see my fear and tears. I hugged her and hugged her and let her know how scared it made me when she ran away and toward the road.
She didn’t understand it was actually important, not just “another rule”.
My autistic/intellectual delay son grew out of it. He doesn’t even hold our hands for walks he stays with us and he’s 6 now.
It definitely is scary and they don’t fully understand why it’s so scary for us.
All four of my kids were runners. My first and last were the most dangerous of all.
I strapped them into a harness before they got out of the car everywhere they went.
Assume they will run. Prepare accordingly.
Had to install one of those panic alarms to the front door when they learned how to open baby proof doorknobs
Strollers utilized during any feasible situation, especially in crowds, regardless of how much they screamed (they hated straps too).
For my youngest, I had to tie his harness to trees while doing things for the sake of my other kids such as camping. I would tie his life jacket to a rope when going to the lake or beach.
Yes it is super stressful. Around 4 they start to outgrow it.
My son at that age wasn’t a runner but he was an escape artist/hider. Almost gave me a heart attack a handful of times. Do yourself a favor and buy a metal medical bracelet to put on him. Instead of the medical sign you can get a pic on it. Address, phone, name. Hopefully you dont need it but it’ll be there in case you do.
My now 9 year old was a runner at that age. She did it until she was about 6. We had to get a harness for her but only used it in busy places. She’s intellectually disabled so she didn’t quite get the big concern, now she does.
Good Luck:woman_shrugging:t3: My daughter who will be 2 in August does the same thing and won’t stop no matter what. I always say if she was my first kid she would of been my last instead she is my last of 5 lol:rofl:
Whoop this kid’s ass. A hurt bottom and pride is better than a kid hit by a car.
I don’t condone spanking for everything but this is a matter of safety and you’ll both get over it. He needs to learn listening isn’t a choice when cars and roads are involved.
I had a runner and my biggest problem is he is deaf and can not hear cars coming the opposite direction he honestly didn’t get it was dangerous if I went out he had a harness or a pram and he had only the back yard to play in I would only go to a park if there was another adult with me
Typically I would say just dont react to it… but this isn’t a minor situation that you can do that with. My 2 year old has done this as well. Luckily we live on a street with not much traffic… just the people who live in the neighborhood. We still tell her no and obviously not let her go in the road but we started walking with her and she quit running towards the road by herself and now she drags us to walk with her down the side of the road. If you live in a similar area try walking with him and maybe he’ll catch on like my daughter did that if she wants to travel outside the yard to come get mommy or daddy and we’ll walk with you.
I have the same issue with my 2 year old son. He is so fast too. We live on a busy street so it freaks me out. So we have been learning to give “hand” before we go out into the front yard. I also bought a harness with leash off Amazon which my mother uses when she watches him because he will outrun her. I’ve been told they will out grow this phase. He thinks its a game to run away from mommy. 🤦
We got our 2 yr old daughter a animal backpack that has a harness and leash and she loves to wear it everywhere… She hated a regular harness and leash for kids
My son did this too and still does on occasion but it used to be constantly, he is almost 5 now and growing out of it but we still talk about not running off everytime we leave the house
He knows now that if he runs off we will go back home immediately… its inconvenient sometimes but it has to be done.
Maybe talk to an Occupational therapist…we were lucky to find a great one!
well my folks solution was to build a fence, so theres that option
I’m having the same problem with my almost 2 your old.
My oldest did it once in target parking lot and it was the only time I’ve spanked her too she’s never done it since
I have 5 year old with autism and he does it
Saying “owies” isn’t enough. I was storing forward. You will get hurt. Bad. You will have to go to the hospital. You will be in bed and in pain for days…
I don’t care on age. If they thre knits funny and they can demonstrate the thought process of running quick like that. And how to get away. Then they will grasp more.
I have a nearly 2 year old and tell her hold mummies hand or you will get run over by cars and end up in hospital, but id rather tell her straight and she understands than pussy foot round it now wen she sees cars she holds my hand tighter stands and waits