My 6-year-old has been caught sneaking out several times: What can we do?!

that’s dangerous she’s lucky she got home safe with a good samaritan i would befriend a cop and call them when she sneaks out and ask that they pretend to arrest her she needs some behind scared straight shit to straighten out otherwise this kid is gonna be at high risk for doing bad things and getting into trouble and i hope that doesn’t happen maybe next time she tries to take your car call the police and ask them to pretend to arrest her and talk to her before she goes down a path she can’t come back from :pleading_face: praying she straightens up for you from one mom to another prayers for you and your family

Do not lock her in her room, put alarms on the windows, can you put a hook lock on the outside door or a chain on the inside door, plus an alarm. 6:30 seems pretty early to be going to bed, change time for that stimulant med too.

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They can give you something to help her sleep. Something for her to take in the evenings. My daughter has ADHD as well but it wouldn’t keep her calm after school and at bed time so they prescribed her a extra medicine to help her sleep.

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Omgosh thats terrifying. Def alarms and maybe motion sensor baby monitor for her room? Or camera outside her door that wakes you when theres motion/she comes out? You could put it in the hall facing her door. Kinda like a door alarm cam.

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Alarms!! One that alerts when doors and windows etc are opened. Also I have a big huge dead bolt that is hard to lock and unlock so I lock that at night. My daughter is 6 too and I could see her doing this! I hope you get it worked out :heart:

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Put locks on the door that she can’t open.

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Try feeding her, then she won’t get hungry, or teach her how to use door dash…just kidding, this is scary, my granddaughter tried sneaking out at a year old, figured out how to unlock doors…get alarms for your doors, they’re inexpensive, and are battery powered, and easily installed, no tools required. Check out different door latches, and install them higher.

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I would take away all electronics for one, especially no phone access. Cameras and alarms. Secondly since she says she can’t sleep try stricter schedule and make sure she is taking her prescription meds at appropriate times (if a stimulant take in the morning…and such) Do not allow movies, games, or any electronics near bed time especially, it tends to make it harder for kids to sleep. Try 8pm bedtime. Showers by 7, read a book or quiet time at 7:30, lights out at 8.

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I’m very sure you can get a bedroom door alarm that will wake the whole house if she opens it. She’ll do it one time and it’ll scare the crap out of her to hopefully deter further issues. If not you really need to talk to her doctor about impulse control. It’s typical in kids who have ADHD. I really pray you find something with all you’ve done and are trying for her. You’re doing an amazing job momma.

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Not sure what state your in but NYS offers project life saver for kids who are an elopement risk. They put a GPS tracker on their wrist or ankle with a bracelet and if they elope they’re tracked and found. I’d also do alarms on everything.

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I would ask about some kind of sleep aid & put chain locks where she can’t reach them.

I have a 4 yr old who has done the same thing. He will be 5 july 5th. We got door alarms and he knows how to shut them off or get them to not go off. He has ran away so many times. We’ve tried bed alarms making him sleep in our room literally everything. He is just so sneaky that he can get out. We have baby monitors and they weren’t much help. We have the locks to where you had to have a key and he’d grab our keys and just unlock the doors. He would find keys and unlock the bedroom doors. They said it’s because of his adhd and hes on Adderall 5mg twice a day. He takes melatonin at night and it still don’t really work. The best thing that has worked was one of our friends that we trusted waited until he got outside by himself and had a ski mask on and basically took him away. It scared the crap out of him but he now ask if he can go outside.

Just ensure your main doors are locked invest in chains for doors also and seek help

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First she needs to see a dr and figure out what’s going on with her sleeping
And if you go to a locksmith, there are locks that can be put at the top of doors, that she wouldn’t be able to reach

I was a sleepwalker as a kid. My parents put an extra latch lock on the front and back door that I couldn’t reach. Might be a part time cheap solution until you can install alarms and she gets better. Sending positive thoughts your way. Stay strong you are doing a great job.

Is sleep walking involved or have y’all ruled that out?

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It makes me so sad that you have your 6 year old on stimulant adhd medication…. :broken_heart:

Window Door Alarm 6 Pack, Noopel 120DB Magnetic Pool Alarm for Doors and Windows, Burglar Intruder Entry Alert for Kids Toddlers Personal Safety https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G3XYPX5/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_HWJ1AZR4NHZK1KK58C6W?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

My 2 yr old (now 28) would sneak out during the day. To play outside. I bought something similar to this that I put on all exterior doors. I would also put one for her bedroom door and windows. No need in something bad happening while your asleep. Make sure to put it on the outside of the doors since it’s to keep her inside. You don’t want her to figure out a way to dismantle them.

Im adhd and I sometimes go to bed that time but going to be at 6 30 is was to early, I go to bed at 8 and I listen to smoothing music to help calm my brain, but that meditation isn’t out of her system by the time you put her to bed, try 8

Sleepwalker put motion detector up at night her windows doors you know my son was a sleepwalker husband slept on couch in living room couse he would try to go out and find me couse I worked nights one night walking home from work he was outside waiting for me .but in morning doesn’t remember anything that was at 1am

It could be related to impulsive behavior with ADHD I used to to dumb stuff like this “oh I’m hungry” wants food instantly and irrationally leaving if the medication is worn off she’s not thinking clearly ADHD is seriously a monster seriously wayyy deeper than attention deficit hyperactivity unfortunately medication isn’t always the best way to cope. Coming from an adult still struggling with impulsive spending and randomly leaving late to get ice cream

All you folks suggesting locks that she can’t reach or key locks have not thought about fire. How would she get out if there was a fire and her parents were unconscious? Alarms are good and maybe some discipline when she doesn’t listen. A time out or take her favorite thing away. And absolutely take her to a DR. find out why she isn’t sleeping.

Get door and window alarms.

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Please don’t lock her in her room, just get alarms and a good lock for the front and back door. Maybe lock up the scooter and keys at night.

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Can she do the kid door knob things?

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A friend of mine has a latch at the top of their door that’s too high for her kids to reach. Try putting them on all of your doors and also try locking her windows and door as well.

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Deadbolt the doors going outside with key only locks and keep the key in your room where she can’t get it

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I’m sorry, did you say your 6 year old??

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I would go with a sleep aid and alarms on windows and doors, and some sort of gps tracker that she cannot take off herself.

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Consider bolt locks that you need a key to unlock. Until she gets medical attention you have to safe guard your home. A lavender plug in for her room. A weighted blanket for her. Keep all car keys in your bedroom. An alarm on her bedroom door.

This post has me worried :disappointed: I hope you figure out why she is escaping sleep walking? Etc. and just don’t even take your eyes off her I watch way too many crime shows so sorry to state the obvious but this shouldn’t be taken lightly do whatever you need to do to keep her safe sleep in her room, baby monitor, locks and then some

You can get an alarm for anytime she leaves her room :woman_shrugging:

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Give her melatonin to sleep at night

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Put a lock on her door

I would bolt windows and doors at night

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We had to install locks that require keys to open both inside and out. Then we had to hide the key. It seemed to work. I wish you loads of luck.

Impulse control and insomnia are symptoms of ADHD…it could just be a matter of adjusting her meds. It seems scaring her didn’t work with the cop, that’s concerning especially for a 6 yr old. I’m gonna chalk the behavior up to too much change and her trying to find outlets to gain control. Do teledoc if you have to, but she needs to be seen sooner than later…maybe a referral from her family Dr could expedite things

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Door and window alarms definitely but please no nailing anything shut or giving unprescribed medication as there may be contra indications with what she’s already on . Speak to the Dr about med changes and keep your house /car keys with you .
Maybe get a baby monitor for her room and an alarm on her bedroom door.

There’s a “watch” or “special” necklace ppl can wear ( also with dementia) that sets off an alarm if the signal goes out of a certain range

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No sleep.aids but I would put locks up high with a bell on the doors to young for slerpm as aids

I would suggest hotel locks at the top of your doors. We have French door handles and my son was able to open them super easy so we added those to all outside doors.

You seem to do the gentle parenting method so it’s be useless to tell you my approach to her sneaking out.

At this point all you can do is keep working on seeking therapy and getting some locks and alarms.

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Yeah I would definitely get alarms for doors and windows. She is completely awake correct? There is no chance she is sleep walking? This is all intentional?
I would try speaking to her about why she does it. Does she have impulsive behaviors? That could be a factor as well. I agree with getting a therapist too. First and foremost is keeping her safe so definitely get alarms for doors and windows, hide your keys as well.

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Get her to a doctor or behavioral specialist that deals with adhd. They could be helpful as this sounds like a mix of her adhd and being in a new environment with no friends. Also signing her up for activities may help as well.

I would take her to the doctors are you sure she’s not sleepwalking?

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Can you do online counseling for her? would definitely get alarms on all windows and doors. Including her bedroom door. Local cable companies security and are good.

Also. I raised a kid with add, adhd, odd, bipolar, a defiance disorder and oppositional disorder. And has since 18 been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He test out at a genius level. We also put him to bed between 6.30 and 7 every evening. It wasn’t because he was sleepy or tired. It was because it took him 4 to 5 hrs to fall asleep and never slept for long. Different kids have different needs. :100:if you feel you child needs a earlier bedtime you do that! Most nights I was up until 1am to 2am waiting for him to go to sleep. Why…because we knew he would try to leave the house or get up to steal stuff from the other kids. I’ve :100: had him steal their homework before and they ended up with 0’s.

So all these people who don’t raise your kids and have negative advice. Girl. Walk away from that shit. You do what’s in your child’s best interests. Even if that means they go to bed at 6pm!!!

Put locks on your doors she can’t reach, put a very loud alarm wherever she leaves out at in the night. I pray for you and her safety! God bless you Momma

Define what she can do in different situations, and establish rules with consequences. Always enforce consequences. Many states it is illegal to lock a child in a room, or use restraints. Alarms are appropriate. They even make bed alarms so you can be alerted when she gets out of bed. My front door, and garage door has clips on them that are simple and inexpensive. Easy to undo for an adult, but not a child. They’re at the top of the doors. I would explore window and door alarms. Maybe a baby monitor, too.

Put a lock on your door that she won’t be able to reach

They have alarms tha/ clip to the bed qn her an when she moves or gets up it go’s off being q cna in q nursing home that is how we know if the runner was getting out if bed during the night time. An put a monitor in her room an urs so you could hear the noise maybe even gates an even put something near it so when she moves it it will make a loud noise an you guys will hear it

Deadbolts up top so she can’t reach? Alarms, bells on doors? She is independent or not fearful at all…McD’s…OMG…what does she say about it all? Why she leaves the house instead of staying inside and watching tv if not sleepy kind of thing?

6 !!! That’s absolutely terrifying, alarms on every door .

Not gonna like my advice but have your husband hide out in all black with a ski mask. Wait for her to sneak out. Have him borrow a car she doesn’t know and have him snatch her up and throw her in a car and scare her into never sneaking out again. I’d do it before it happens in real life. Harsh but the show scared straight is around for a reason.

Have her take Melatonin at bedtime . We had that issue with my stepson and ADHD medicine. She is hungry that late because she doesn’t have a appetite during the day caused by the adhd medication she is on . Also get a alarm system for your house . She opens any window doors etc . The alarm goes off . We actually nailed all our windows shut and deadbolt on all our doors that you could only open with a key because our son was sneaking out at 13 . Destroying peoples property in our neighborhood. Now he is grown and I have a alarm .

Alarms and locks … also maybe talk to local police and next time you catch her sneaking out have them scare her

6 yr old on meds for ADHD meds are to strong shouldn’t make her speedy it’s should be controllimg not hyping her up stop anything with caffeine in it and hard to do is cut out SUGERY SWEET STUFF
let her stay up late no naps during the day

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Door alarms from the Dollar Store? They’ll be as good as what you paid for them!

Have you tried having her sleep with you? She’s only 6. She got literally pulled away from the environment where she felt secure. Perhaps making her feel secure now with mom and dad?

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Put alarms on the doors and windows. Even like the magnetic ones. Just put them up high. At least that way if she opens the doors you’ll know it.

I would take her to the emergency room to be evaluated for her safety. She might be able to get in somewhere quicker.

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You need to have a security system on doors and windows and keep all keys in your room stashed. Wow 6 years old doing this. That’s scary.

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I know you said she has adhd, but maybe see if you can have them do a sleep study on her. To see why she can’t sleep at night.

I would sleep with her. I would up all night worrying!

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Put alarms on doors and windows. The ones that make loud noise when they’re open. That not only alerts you but may deter her.

And against most people. (since you are asking for advise, don’t ask if you aren’t gonna try everything) try a spanking.

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They work on doors too.

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Wouldn’t like my opinion. Sounds like needs sterner punishments. Let get away with too much. Letting your 6 year old run all over you…and all over the place. This is what happens with the nice parenting trend. When kid gets out of control…time to head to psychiatrist to get the kid on meds bc must be a mental issue and not a parental authority issue. :expressionless:

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6 years old?!?! :flushed::flushed::flushed: omg! Girl board up the windows, get alarms do anything you can that’s terrifying and too many awful things can happen to her! Why isn’t she coming to you if she’s so hungry!? That’s insane.

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That is so scary!
Ive got two kiddos with ADHD.
We haven’t had any issues with sneaking out …but we’ve definitely had issues with middle of the night wandering. Particularly with our oldest.

The first thing is definitely talk to her doctor. Ask for an emergency appointment ASAP!
Unfortunately as you probably know the occurrence of co-morbidities with ADHD is pretty high and one of those can definitely be sleep disturbances.

For my kiddos (and myself) we’ve had to use medication to help combat insomnia.
Oldest is on prescription (clonidine). I take Benadryl. Youngest takes melatonin.
I’m not saying that is the answer but if she’s awake…not falling asleep or waking up …rather than sleep walking this may help at least temporarily.

I’d also suggest possibly a home security system. So that you will be alerted if a window or door is opened…and connected immediately to security company who if necessary can connect you to police.

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I would get alarms on door and windows or maybe her bedroom door until she can be evaluated.

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Alarms!!! Doors and windows. Often you can find battery operated, stick on one’s at walmart or amazon.
I have severe adhd and same with my 10 yr old daughter. Several years ago I was dx with delayed sleep phase syndrome/ aka circadian rhythm sleep disorder. She might have executive function disorders too, often comes along with adhd. Lacks impulse control. I’ve found myself and daughter are very visual, if something is out of sight, it’s out of mind. Posting colorful signs/reminders on what to do.

I saw several mentions of sleep walking. Might look into a sleep test, if concerned

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Ov course she can’t sleep she’s on drugs. I can’t sleep on Adderall eitha. Take her off the drugs

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Like everyone said, chain lock or similar up high where she can’t reach it. I would also put a chime on her door, it will be annoying but it might help you stop her before she gets outside. I have interior cameras that have motion alerts in the middle of the night that send me notifications (yi cameras I bought on amazon) I also have a ring doorbell that will catch the front door. You can put sensors on every door that leads outside so if you have a back door without a camera the sensor can still tell you the door was opened/closed.

I suggest putting extra door locks on your guys doors she can sneak out of and have them super high to where she can’t use a chair to get them unlocked. I know it’s harsh but next time she does spank her butt good and tell her she doesn’t get to do fun things until she stops sneaking out. Your gentle parenting obviously isn’t working at this point and it’s time you get tough on her cause what if she sneaks out and the worst of the worst case scenario happens like she gets hurt or she gets kidnapped and that’ll be on you guys at this point for not preventing it from happening since she does have a known and repeated history of sneaking out. Y’all lucky that lady brought her home and no harm was done. One of you guys sleep and one stays awake until this issue is resolved.

Don’t sugar coat things. My daughter used to do this. We told her the straight up truth that there are people who would take her and she could end up dead and never see us again. Harsh I know but it has worked. Also talk to the doctor about maybe going up
On the medication. We have had to do that with my daughters adhd meds as well and it has helped

I would get alarms and locks with keys so even if she climbed up on something she couldn’t unlock it. Hide a key nearby each door you put a lock on like that incase you guys need to quickly get out in an emergency.

Get door and window alarms immediately.

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I would be locking doors and windows with the keys so she can’t unlock it even if she tried. Keep key hidden in your bewbies or ya buttcrack. She ain’t getting those keys lol

Oh WAO !!! She is just 6, wait until she is 13 :rage::rage:
Alarms for doors and windows, and the locks that can’t be open without a key .
And you have to be very very persistent with her punishment

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I wish people would proof read and use proper grammar. Makes things easier to read :roll_eyes:

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Put a key lock on the inside that way she has to use a key to get out. Also put a latch at the top that she can’t reach. I’d do this for all of the doors in the house that lead to the outside. Id also put some form of an alarm on her windows and make sure there are storm windows on them as well as screens.

Just lock the door and keep the key out of reach :woman_shrugging:

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Lowes has driveway alarms also but your doing the right things therapy talking to the school alarms and your going to talk to the Dr. I’d see about switching meds

My son was on ADHD meds as a child and he could never sleep either. I gave him melatonin but it didn’t always work

My 6yr old sleepwalks. Scared the heck out of us. We got the ring camera in her room with the camera aimed at her. With the app on our phones, it notifies us of her movements. I recommend it!

A cheaper solution is getting slide locks at the top of all doors that have outside access. Install them at the highest point of your doors so she can’t reach them. And what other’s have recommended, keep keys in your room at all times, and be super diligent about windows/sliding doors being locked and secured.

Hope you get this resolved asap!!

There are loads of really good adhd groups im in on Facebook with really great people in that will probably have more experience of helping with this sort of thing , therapy won’t help because it’s her adhd I was like this as a child , you need specific adhd guidance :green_heart:

Definitely get alarms and extra door locks she can’t reach. God forbid she gets hit by a car or abducted!!!

There would be severe consequences!!!

Being on meds for adhd could affect her sleep also even tho the meds wear off …talk to your doctor about maybe some safe sleep meds maybe over the counter or whatever…lavender is good too to put on their pillowcases and bottom off feet maybe even a radio listen to music to fall asleep

locks on the doors that she can’t reach, alarm system for doors and windows. put your keys up where she can’t reach them, you got lucky she didn’t start the car and try going somewhere!

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Have her tested for A.D.D I did this and was tested as a kid. I have always been fiercely independent and I’m raising a kiddo that is just like me. Invest in high locks and door alarms. Good luck mama

My son has sleep meds because he was staying up super later for years and then he had to get up for school and was always running on 2-3hrs sleep. Try melatonin to start.

lock doors,windows. alarms on doors/windows aswell… Put ur keys high up. I would definitely seek some help, advice aswell. She is only 6 Anyone could of happened

 everyone who keeps saying to put a lock on her door that has to have a key to open obviously doesn’t know the first things about fire safety :woman_facepalming:t2: imagine if your house was burning down and you’re fumbling around to find the keys to unlock your daughter‘s bedroom 🫠

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Get locks higher up that she can’t unlock

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My daughter has severe adhd and is on meds and has trouble sleeping. And for the ppl saying its the meds, wrong. At least for my kid. Off meds she will stay up for days, on meds she will at least sleep a few hours a night. My daughter takes clonidine for sleep, not to be confused with klonopin. I also give her melatonin gummies. It helps alot. Kids with ADHD have a “battery” and every morning they wake up with it fully charged. If you don’t use up the “battery” they wont sleep. Make sure she is active enough during the day to use all her energy.

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My son sleep walk at the age n he had severe adhd I literally had to sleep in the same room w him so he wouldn’t sleep walk outside

Take her off the meds

You said the child is not sleep walking and this is intentional behavior? If so -This is gonna be an unpopular opinion. But I’ve raised four kids who turned into responsible, caring humans so :woman_shrugging:… besides getting the locks, alarms, therapy, and stern talks about what could happen, have you tried whooping that ass? It worked for parents for centuries and it seems like the resulting adults had better values and principles because of it. JS

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Door alarm on her bedroom door and a boot :foot: to the :peach:

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Our daughter adhd sleep walks and had issues sleeping too, melatonin and cbd helps alot as well as a bedtime lavender roller, no tv, games, tablet min 30 min before bed to reduce mind stimulating, get her an alexa and up load audio books that are relaxing such as juneb jones, ect…
We have protection one, door and window alarms on ever house opening. Plus ring door bell on both doors with motion sensor on high, all connected to the alexas in our house so will announce loudly in every room when motion outside or door/window opening.
Ps we just switched to JORNAY for her med its taken at bedtime instead of im the morning to reduce sleep disruption and reduce the fight to take meds in morning.

I wouldn’t lock her in, it will create negative correlation between her room and sleep, also bad in case of emergency she wouldnt be able to get help or be helped.

She is not a bad kid this is clearly adhd impulse control issue, she doesnt stop long enough to think past the action, as well over stimulation. She would benefit greatly from adhd therapy, where you work on just adhd goals and life skills. Cause and effect ect…

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