How do you stop your child from wandering off?

Hello!

“I would love to hear from some other Mums on their tips on how they control their child from walking off in a store. My 14 month old has recently discovered walking and now she’s walking away from me. She lets go of my hand and wanders off. I do not want to use a lead at all.”

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- - Julzie13 said
  - 19 Nov 2022
    8:09 am
Before going into any shop when my teen was little we had a quick chat of expected behaviour whilst shopping.
- - BellaB said
  - 31 Jul 2020
    11:23 am
I feel your pain, and it’s tough if you don’t want to use a lead. (Although that might be a last resort – don’t dismiss it.) We had a rule about having one hand on the pram at all times – that worked well when we had several kids. Perhaps you could have a similar rule about your clothing or bag?
- - dannsbuild said
  - 29 Sep 2015
    9:44 pm
It was interesting reading the comments on this!
- - mom71809 said
  - 30 Jun 2015
    10:21 pm
Some great suggestions here – ive been wondering what to do when this happens
- - nictate said
  - 03 May 2015
    6:47 am
My daughter has 2 option, she either holds my hand or goes in the pram
- - alioop said
  - 30 Mar 2014
    10:49 am
I always put my toddler in a pram for shopping etc to svoid the risk of him taking off
- - kathryn said
  - 29 Dec 2013
    6:42 pm
Sorry, but I would suggest using one the back pack leads. I would use it just until she learns to hold on to your hand when you ask her to. Otherwise in the trolley could be another option.
- - coppin85 said
  - 29 Dec 2013
    9:56 am
what did you end up doing?
- - meltingmoment said
  - 02 Dec 2013
    11:51 am
Hope you managed to find the answer you were looking for.
- - mggarner said
  - 28 Nov 2013
    11:54 am
What did you end up doing?
- - mggarner said
  - 27 Nov 2013
    3:00 pm
maybe put her in a stroller
- - meltingmoment said
  - 27 Oct 2013
    3:30 pm
Not sure what to tell you. My youngest still does and she is 6. She likes to hide in the clothes. Even now when I pick her up from prep, when they open the class door she will be hiding somewhere.
- - snoopy said
  - 24 Oct 2013
    5:34 pm
I purposely let my daughter think she was lost once-she could not see me but I could see her above the clothes racks. She had a moment of panic and then I appeared, she never disappeared on me again because she thought she would get lost.
- - liz007 said
  - 12 Oct 2013
    6:28 pm
I did not want to use a lead but I did it saves running it also protects your child. Because if your not quick enough down a step they can go … But on a lead they have freedom until they understand safety … So if you want to let walk on a lead until they learn to walk with you… But good luck with that … I had three only one of mine come off the lead a little over two… No way with the twins .. In fact one of our twins ran and if it had not been for the lead they would of gone under a bus… Yes I was standing on the corner and he just decide to take off…
- - missmanic said
  - 03 Oct 2013
    10:37 pm
Thanks heaps for posting, was also wondering.