How to Stop Your Toddler from Running Off in Public

Frustrated when your child runs off in public, especially when he thinks it’s a big game? Learn how to discipline your toddler running away in a gentle but effective way.

We’ve all seen the exasperated mom chasing after her toddler running away — maybe you’ve even found yourself in that situation.

From the grocery store to the mall, your toddler prefers to dash ahead instead of walking by your side. He might even run away like it’s a game or hide out of sight as if playing peek-a-boo. The worst part? Each time you grab hold of him again, he greets you with a mischievous grin.

It doesn’t help if you’re carrying loads of bags, are pregnant, or caring for your other kids all while this is happening.

You’ve tried just about everything. You took away his favorite items, rewarded good behavior, and tried using a harness (which he somehow managed to break free from). You’ve even hollered, “I’m leaving now!” when he would run and hide, hoping he’d come back. Staying home isn’t always an option, either.

What to do with your toddler running away in public

It’s not easy chasing after your toddler running away, and even more frustrating when you’ve told him over and over not to do so. But let’s start off with a few things not to do:

No false threats. It’s tempting to say, “I’m leaving now!” but it’s not exactly effective when you both know you won’t leave. Giving false threats is an imbalance of the relationship you’re trying to nurture with him. They don’t align with integrity and “meaning your word” that you want to model for him.
Don’t use consequences that have little to do with the situation. Another common mistake is to deny kids a favorite item even though it has nothing to do with them running away. As much as he might “listen” when threatened with the loss of a favorite toy, no lesson has been learned about running away. (Discover consequences for kids that actually work.)
Don’t lose your temper. If you’re like me, you may think being “extra strict” can convey how important it is not to run away (not to mention how hard it is not to overreact when it happens). The thing is, losing your temper shows him that his behavior can trigger this kind of reaction.
Avoid using a harness. As easy as it may seem to tether him to you, a harness doesn’t teach impulse control or self-regulation.

Now that you know what doesn’t work, what can you do with your toddler running away? I knew that losing my cool was not going to solve this issue in the long-term. Instead, take a look at how you can get him to stop running away from you:

1. Show empathy

Whether your toddler runs off frustrated because he wants to go home already or is doing so with a grin on his face like it’s a game, he sees you as an “opponent.” After all, you’re likely yelling at him to stop running, or reprimanding him the minute he returns.

One way to reach out to him and truly see what he’s going through is to show empathy.

It’s easy to focus on all the ways he’s misbehaving, but beneath the tantrums and smirks are valid reasons driving him to behave this way.

Could he be tired from a long shopping trip, or feeling ignored amid all the chores and errands left to do? Has he had a chance to get his energy out, or has he been cooped up too long? Could this be a deeper reaction to the new baby, or is he testing his limits as all toddlers do?

Begin your conversation with empathy: “I know you didn’t want to come to the grocery with me today. I’d be mad too if I had to do something I didn’t want to do,” or “It’s hard when you want to play but I keep telling you to stop, isn’t it?”

Empathy helps you better understand him, while crumbling any defenses he may feel toward you as well.

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2. Keep your toddler engaged during your outing

Imagine your last shopping trip at the grocery store. Your attention shifted between finding items you needed and making sure your toddler wasn’t getting into trouble.

Let’s see, where would I find the taco seasoning… you think to yourself, before barking, “Don’t touch that! You might break it.” (Speaking from experience.)

But what if, instead of seeing him as an added nuisance to the trip, you can talk and engage with him the whole time?

You might have him put the items in the cart or “steer” it in the right direction (which makes sure he’s holding onto it). He can help you count how many apples to add to the bag or decide which brand of maple syrup to go with.

The more engaged he feels, the less likely he is to run off on his own. He’ll feel respected when his opinion counts or when he’s helping mom with important tasks.

Check out these conversation starters for kids.

3. Reinforce safety rules clearly

As much as it feels like you tell your toddler over and over to stop or not to run, sometimes it’s the way you say it that matters more.

For instance, it’s not entirely true that he should “not run,” since running itself isn’t always not allowed—only in certain contexts. And he might even be confused when you tell him not to run through the mall on a crowded Saturday when last week you let him do so during a weekday outing.

Instead, reinforce the safety rules clearly, explaining why he can and can’t do certain things.

Say that hand-holding is non-negotiable when crossing the street because people driving cars may not be able to see him. Or that hiding is only fun when both people decide to make a game of it, but not at a restaurant when mommy doesn’t know where he is.

And go over these safety rules before you take him out in public.

Let him know he’s allowed to run around the park, but only in the soccer field where you can still see him. Explain that he needs to hold your hand today because there are too many people who might bump into him.

Give clear safety rules so he knows what is expected of him and why it’s important to abide by them.

4. Be consistent with what you say

The rules we implement are only as strong as the consistency surrounding them. The more consistent you are with what you say, the better your toddler understands (and takes you seriously).

For instance, if you say you’re going to leave the store should he keep running away, then you need to actually leave the next time he does. If hand-holding is non-negotiable when crossing the street, then you must hold his hand all the time, even when there are no cars nearby.

Inconsistency only gives room for him to experiment whether the rules apply to one context and not the other.

5. Get the jiggles out

Toddler are wired to run around and expel energy. In fact, our pediatrician recommended that kids should not be sedentary for more than an hour (besides sleeping). Your toddler may need to move, regardless of where he is.

So, prepare beforehand and help him get the jiggles out. Play a physical game at home before heading to the grocery store where you don’t want him to run around. Run with him around the block instead of only telling him to stop running away.

And it doesn’t always feel good to be strapped into a stroller or car seat for long. This might explain why he’s ready to bolt the minute you undo the stroller straps—he’s been cooped up too long. If need be, arrive earlier at your destination so you can have him hop around near the door before going inside.

6. Prevent your toddler running away

As much as we try to course-correct when kids run off, the best way to avoid it altogether is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Don’t take your toddler with you. The easiest way is to decide whether you need to take him with you at all. Could you run this errand on a weekend when another adult could watch him at home? Will taking him to the park instead of the mall be a more appropriate way to spend your morning?
Go at a good time. If you do need to take him (or want to), pick a good time to go. Monday morning at the grocery store is much easier than a Sunday afternoon trip. Make plans to play at the mall’s children’s area right when it opens, not at the peak lunch hour.
Stick to familiar places. Keep new adventures to a minimum, while relying on your old standbys, so that you know the best ways to get in and out. You can focus on him more when you don’t have to adjust to a new environment.
Keep your outing quick. Kids tend to get wired up when they’re restless or want to go home. Do what it takes to make the outing efficient, like planning which stores to go to first, or having a shopping list ready. If you feel he’s about to dart out of sight again, cut the trip short.

Conclusion

Nothing sends a parent more into a panic than not knowing where her child is, even for a split second. Add to that the frustration of knowing he tends to do this over and over, whether because he’s mad or thinks it’s a game.

But now you have the tools to better respond to and even prevent your toddler running away.

Keep him engaged during your outing so he doesn’t feel left out (and even feels important). Show empathy so he knows you understand what could be driving his behavior. Reinforce safety rules, whether before or during your outing, and follow through with consistency on what you say each time.

And finally, prevent your toddler running away in the first place. Get the jiggles out, go at a good time and place, or keep him at home if possible.

Now you can take him on an outing—all without a harness to keep him in place.

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