https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:24:53 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136868 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 15:04:28 +0000 purrpletulips 2136868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS (31m) is like this but he struggles against the straps when in the stroller. DD was like this and even now at 5yo we struggle at times with staying right with me and holding my hand when out in public. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136822 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:42:22 +0000 NurseDMB 2136822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I always thought they were too, but I swear, everytime we're out too, other toddlers look like angels in comparison! My friend's daughter is a month older and never ever bolts in public. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136821 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:41:08 +0000 NurseDMB 2136821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: Oh man. I guess I'm lucky that DS isn't a screamer and never has been - but he's a big time whiner! (Again.. Just like me as a kid.. I think I'm seeing a pattern here, lol) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136773 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:19:19 +0000 Cherrybee 2136773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E (20 months) is a runner so we keep her on reins (a leash) when we are out and about. If we let her run free in a shop she runs off, pulls items off shelves and throws them. Eating out can be pretty traumatic because she screams to get out of the high chair but if we let her she takes off. We take crayons with us but she either eats them or throws them! She wont hold my hand when we are walking and she has zero road sense, falls down steps, runs into things so reins it is. To be honest, I thought all toddlers were like this!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136763 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:13:22 +0000 Modern Daisy 2136763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is 19 months and is exactly the same way. But I will see your running off and raise you ear piercing screams about being restrained. He would NEVER sit and color. He's been like this his whole life. Hates being confined and always on the move. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136749 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:03:20 +0000 NurseDMB 2136749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbird: @hilsy85: I'm glad to hear it gets better, that makes me hopeful! It's funny because my aunt said my cousin (who is now in his 30's) was the exact same way, and he's probably the most chill, relaxed person I've ever met.</p> <p>@.twist.: ugh, seriously! DS follows me around everywhere at home, not so much in public or outside.</p> <p>@Mrs. Lion: maybe they are older, but I also have friends with kids the same age who always stay by their parents, so I always think my kid is the wild one although I'm sure there are plenty of toddlers who do the same thing.</p> <p>@@oliviaoblivia: did she protest at first when you made her hold your hand? DS freaks and throws himself on the ground when I try, I guess I should try harder and be persistent but I usually give up once the tantrum starts and just put him back in the stroller.</p> <p>@danda: I wish he liked the carrier! He has NEVER liked to be worn, even as a newborn. He just hates being restrained at all</p> <p>@travelgirl1: this is what I'm worried about, I'm 12 weeks pregnant now and I'm having visions of taking him to the beach this summer and just chasing him while I'm waddling the entire time lol</p> <p>@Grace: oh yeah, I would never expect him to follow me around the store (although I know there are toddlers who do this, crazy), but he takes it to a whole other level where it's just not safe. The kid doesn't stay still for even 2 seconds. </p> <p>Glad to hear there are others going through the same thing, it makes me feel better, because like I said, most of my friends/family members don't have this issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136706 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:32:43 +0000 illumina 2136706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Grace: we do something similar. Letting her know she needs to stay with me or else in advance is helpful. Often I take her out of the shopping trolley and let her follow me round the store and it's 50/50 whether she does or whether she runs off. If she runs off she's straight back in the trolley though, haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136697 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:24:37 +0000 Grace 2136697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's a boundaries thing. With DD, who is 19 months old, I made this stuff non-negotiable. When I first started letting her walk to the car from the house, I made her hold my hand. When she fought me, I carried her, saying "if you want to walk, you have to hold my hand". And then we tried again the next day. It took 1-2 weeks for her to get the message. I imagine it would take something similar in your case, although, to be honest, I can't picture a 20 month old just dociliy following mom in a store. Too young, I'd think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136693 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:21:29 +0000 travelgirl1 2136693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kid is a runner (28 months) she thinks it is hilarious, seriously, but she has aged me 20 years. I used to use a backpack harness with her, these days I hold hands (but then if she has had enough she will go limp and throw herself on the floor and not budge) or just keep her in the stroller, especially on sidewalks, it's not worth the risk. I'm too pregnant to tear after her these days so I only let her walk if it is somewhere I know I can keep tabs on her. She is not a naughty girl and understands perfectly when I tell her to stay with me, she just loves to run. I'm hoping it will pass but until then, the stroller gets a lot of mileage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136688 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:18:47 +0000 JessKas 2136688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter is just like this. Except I don't even try taking her out to eat anymore because she screams if she has to sit through a meal. I just don't let her free unless it's safe (and enclosed often, like a park). It's hard because I can't wear her anymore and she's starting to protest in the stroller, but hopefully it will pass soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136680 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:15:15 +0000 danda 2136680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 21 month old is just like this. Plus she often wants out of the stroller. We do a lot of Babywearing in the toddler Tula. She also is a big fan of grocery carts that look like cars, so stores which offer those are becoming our favorites. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136648 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:05:31 +0000 hilsy85 2136648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: yep that happened to me, except the stroller rolled into the street! :shocked: Luckily someone walking by caught it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136612 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:55:56 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2136612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD was a runner, probably still is to be honest. I just never give her the opportunity to run unless we are in a safe place. I would never expect her to stay by me in a store.<br /> We do a lot of hand holding. Until I than trust her I'm not taking chances. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136583 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:47:18 +0000 Greentea 2136583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every kid is different. I could never let DD be free. Once I even ran after her and the stroller rolled down a hill (like some kind of movie) while I held her in my arms. If she is walking she has to hold my hand. She just turned 22 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136532 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:32:56 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2136532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's a huge difference in age between 1.5 and 2.5 in terms of maturity but not so much in size...I think the kids you see sitting and coloring etc are probably older maybe? My son is like this too...part is that he is just really active and curious and part is that he isn't old enough to have the self control to stay with me. We just rely on the stroller/cart/high chair and will gradually give him more freedom a little at a time. This started for us around 12 months, and at 25 months it is starting to get a little easier. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136522 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:30:47 +0000 RsMom 2136522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son was like this except he wouldn't sit in the cart or a highchair even if he was buckled. I used to wear him when we went out and we didn't do restaurants very often. With age he's so much better, at almost 3 he will follow along or ask to get in the cart. There are times still that he thinks running all over the store while you chase after him is hilarious. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136518 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:29:58 +0000 edelweiss 2136518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i don't have personal experience, but i think to a certain extent some kids are like this. my neighbor's 2 year old is a flight risk unless she's buckled in. </p> <p>it's interesting that he knows to hold your hand when crossing the street--demonstrates that he knows when it's important. i'm guessing that he can tell that even though running off in a store is not preferable, it's not as dangerous as running in the street. you've probably done this, but could you try explaining to him why it's not good to run off, because you might lose him, he might hurt himself or somebody else, etc.?</p> <p>at least with my neighbor's child, i think that she's testing her parents, especially her mom. i think she wants to see where the boundaries are, whether her parents will enforce them, and very importantly, whether they will get emotional when enforcing them (because then it's more about getting the emotional reaction than anything else). but that's just a hypothesis.</p> <p>for what it's worth, i don't think you're doing anything wrong. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136512 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:28:10 +0000 .twist. 2136512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, my kid will run in every direction that is opposite of me. Where are these little kids that just follow around their parents like puppies? I need one. haha jk. kinda. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136509 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:25:41 +0000 hilsy85 2136509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son was the EXACT same way. I never let him just walk next to me/the stroller when I was on my own because I needed to have a full pair of hands to chse after him. It got a little better around 23 months, and better again after he turned 2. I will say that he is MUCH better about staying on track when he is either pushing his doll stroller or riding on his scooter--those things seem to keep him more focused! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136508 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:25:30 +0000 yellowbird 2136508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dd is just like this. She's just now getting better at 31 months. She has her moments,but will mostly listen and stand with me.ifshe runs off once she gets put somewhere with buckles and that's motivated her to listen better </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/20-month-old-runs-off-in-public#post-2136501 Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:22:49 +0000 NurseDMB 2136501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okay, so I know toddlers will be toddlers but sometimes I feel like my son is such a handful and more active than the average toddler. He's also very strong willed and stubborn.</p> <p>Basically, I HAVE to have him in a stroller if we're out at the mall or another store, otherwise it's a disaster. He never stays by me, tries running into other stores, runs into people, etc. He's always been like this - he's fine with holding my hand when were crossing the street and walking into stores, etc. But once we're in an open space, he bolts. He's totally fine in grocery stores if I buckle him in the cart. And at restaurants he stays in the highchair if he's buckled in (even though he says "out" about 100 times the whole time we're eating). I just see other kids his age sitting in the booth next to their parents coloring, etc - he would NEVER do that! Sometimes I feel like I'm doing something wrong. Anyone else have a toddler like this? Or if they were like this, did it ever get better? He just never stays by me when we're out in public unless he's constrained in a stroller. </p> <p>I know my mom mentioned before that I used to run off from her all the time and she had to use one of those leashes on me a couple times, so maybe this is karma, LOL. </p>