Q+A: How Can I Keep My Child from Always Running Away?

Q. I've got a 3-year-old who bolts! She thinks it's hilarious to run away from me whenever we're at a mall, in the supermarket, or hanging out at the playground. Honestly, there are times I'm tempted put her on a leash! How do I get her to stay by my side?

A. There's nothing like your kid dashing into traffic to take years off your life. The fact is, 3-year-olds are unquestionably impulsive, and while they get better at following rules in time, you still can't trust them. "Whenever it's a situation where her safety is at risk, you may just have to carry her or strap her into a stroller," says William R. Storo, MD, chair of the department of pediatrics at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, in Concord, New Hampshire.

In the meantime, explain how dangerous it is to run away -- and that there will be a consequence if she does. "Look your daughter in the eye and tell her that if she's big enough to walk, she's big enough to stay with you," says Dr. Storo. Let her know that if she doesn't, she'll have to sit in the stroller. Be firm, and repeat the rules often. The key, of course, is follow-through. Another strategy to encourage cooperation: Point out other kids who are staying with their mom and dad and tell her that's how "big girls" behave.

Originally published in the February 2009 issue of Parents magazine.