How do you respond when your child runs off?

Introduction

Very young children generally like to stay close to a parent when out and about and particularly when in an unfamiliar place or with unfamiliar people. As they get older and grow in confidence the distance extends but most children like to keep an eye on where their parent or trusted adult is. When a young child becomes angry and upset and runs away from you, or quite commonly refuses to keep walking alongside you, they are left with two choices. They can try and make their way home independently or they have to return to you. A third option of going off and never seeing you again might be said in the heat of the moment but the reality of that choice soon becomes apparent and sometimes emotionally over-whelming.

Going home

Children generally need to feel very confident in their ability to navigate their way home to actually run off. Older children who are used to going around their neighbourhoods independently are more likely to do this than younger or less 'street wise' children. 

Returning

Most children will want to return back to their parent but they will prefer to do it on their terms. Children who stop and refuse to go on during walks will often wait until their parent is just out of sight before continuing to walk. Sometimes this momentarily loss of sight of their parent is enough to get them to quickly catch up. Though the cycle can often start again!