Help - 4 Year Old Keeps Running Into Streets/Parking Lots

[Anonymous]

And we've tried all sorts of punishments, lectures etc. I don't know what to do. Normally he'll walk close to me, but it's like he lacks impulse control and will just run off in the parking lot. I'm seriously considering a leash. If you've had this problem - how did you fix it?

[Anonymous]

I haven't (yet) but o wouldn't hesitate on a leash. I dgaf what other people think, it's better than a dead child or nursemaid's elbow.

[Anonymous]

When my twins were that age, I used the backpack leashes. Do what you need to do to keep your kids safe. He'll outgrow it in a year.

[Anonymous]

^^also, maybe a stroller? He might be embarrassed and get it quickly after that.

[Anonymous]

Leash. Or he has to hold your hand until he stops trying to make a break for it, which is what I do for my 2yo but I imagine that’s physically harder with a 4yo. Nothing wrong with a leash in this situation imo. (I used to think child leashes were weird. Now that I have kids they totally make sense.)

[Anonymous]

Spanking. The only time I ever spank my kids is for life and death scenarios.

[Anonymous]

If you have a kid like that they need to hold your hand at all times.

[Anonymous]

Have you not taught him proper street crossing techniques? Sounds like you need to do this before you leash your child. A leash doesn’t teach him a skill

[Anonymous]

I had a kid who was a runner, including (still) at 4. He either held our hand or was carried. He hated the hand-holding and would twist and struggle. Too bad. That's better than getting run over.

When he was a toddler, I taught him to stay in our yard by taking him inside every time he stepped out of our yard - every single time, 100s of times a day for weeks and weeks and weeks. He eventually learned.

FWIW, he was later diagnosed with ADHD.

[Anonymous]

What do his teachers say? Have they recommended any interventions/evaluations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spanking. The only time I ever spank my kids is for life and death scenarios.

Yes, this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^also, maybe a stroller? He might be embarrassed and get it quickly after that.

This was my thought. Take it with you and any time he runs strap him in..or make him sit in the cart at a store. At home he is inside till tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Stroller if he's not holding your hand. I can't imagine going anywhere without a tight grip on my child's hand!! Why aren't you holding his hand?

[Anonymous]

My son was like this. He was later diagnosed with ADHD.

[Anonymous]

Hand in a death grip or leash. He's not ready to just be next to you. And if you aren't already, I would YELL at him if he does it. I'm not for yelling at kids, but running away in the street or touching a hot stove--absolute danger? You can't be all "darling please don't run, it's really not safe sweetie pie"