Lately when we are in public, Alex does not understand that he needs to stay close to us. Part of me is happy that he doesn't yet understand the dangers that lurk around us. And part of me is confused as to how to teach this to him. And part of me is really tired because that boy is FAST.
Before the flight to Dallas, we let the boys out of the GoGo Kidz in the airport to blow off steam. Each time, Alex took off running. I would shout down the airport, "Alex! Come back!" and he'd laugh and run back to us. This was his game. At one point, I yelled to him. He stopped, turned around, yelled "Come back!" while waving his arms and put on a very grumpy face. MY very grumpy face. A stranger near him laughed as Alex openly mocked me.
Then I had the thought to make Nate and Alex hold hands, thinking that would slow them down. Nope. Alex ran and dragged Nate behind him, both of them giggling. Maybe Alex can help carry something? Nope. He took off running with a Travelmate.
Now you all know I am OCD about practice runs. And this turned out to be another example of a good practice run. All of this was managable in a small airport with two adults supervising. When I was in a large crowded airport on my own, this had to change and I wrote about the experience on HDYDI today, along with some other tips on traveling alone with twin toddlers.
3 comments:
it makes me feel much better to know that you have one darter. It's nice to be reminded that some things are just the kid and not the parent. Michael is a darter, and it drives me crazy. I don't know how many times I've said, "If you don't stay with me I'll have to pick you up." I follow through every time, but the kid still darts.
I read your posts about travel today. You did AWESOME! Lately Analese is darting too. Very much attention seeking behavior. She looks back to see if we will chase her (which of course we do to keep her from getting flattened in a busy parking lot). Drives me nuts!
One thing you could try is to teach Alex how to listen to the command stop and the consequences to not following the rules of stop when mommy tells him. Practice this on one of your trips to the park and while you are in the park. Bring your stroller or wagon as usual. Before you leave get down to eye level and explain to him in simple terms what stop means and use a specific hand signal as well. Explain that if he gets to far from you, that you get scared and miss him. Tell him that if mommy says stop and shows the hand signal that he must stop IMMEDIATELY and look at mommy. He then has to wait for mommy, or come back to mommy. If he does not listen then he gets buckled back into the wagon/stroller/car seat until he is ready to listen. (usually like time out 1 min per year of age) Then try letting him out again after you explain the rules one more time. You can also play the game red light green light with stop and go until he learns it well, of course while having fun. It is important for him to learn this since it is extremely dangerous for him to run off, especially if it could be into the street! It is a skill that they have to learn, they don't automatically know it. I hope this helps. If not you can always get the strap on back packs with the strap for public places so he cant stray to far. Kaylyn
Post a Comment