This morning I had the shock of my life. Harry ran out onto the busy road outside the school gates and came close to being knocked over.
He likes his freedom and loves walking to school with his siblings. Molly and Charlie have always had a good grasp of road safety and I thought Harry had too but he proved me wrong today.
In happened in a split second. As I passed the buggy to Molly so I could hold his hand across the road he just ran out. I screamed at him and my friend, who was a little closer to him, jumped out to get him thankfully. It all happened so quickly but my goodness it shook us up.
The driver of the car hadn't seen him in enough time and I just worry about what had happened if one of us hadn't reached him.
I was shaken but coping until the driver of the car asked me if I was alright. I then had to hide in the bus shelter to compose myself.
I feel like a terrible mother. Harry hasn't worn his reins since the summer and we've had no problems until today. I don't want him to lose his freedom and I don't want him to be scared of roads and cars, just wary enough to know of the danger but I now see that I need to take precautions.
A wrist strap was suggested but I never got on with them with Molly and Charlie. Reins are probably the best answer to this problem. I know he'll hate them but until he can be trusted again it's the safest option. It's either that or he'll be in his pushchair permanently!
If you have any guidance and advice on how to approach this better please do let me know.
I have a similar thing with my 2½-year-old - just walking out to the car on the driveway and he wants to run off, usually straight towards the pavement and the road.
ReplyDeleteHauling him back towards the car (in a bit of a panic) - usually by force - puts him into a fit of giggles. He clearly loves the attention and winding us up.
He's normally okay when we are out and about in town. He hasn't tried to do a runner - yet.
I'm glad, in a way, that I'm not the only one but isn't it such a worry. Harry is the same as your son, thinks it's a great game. Kids eh?!
DeleteThank goodness he was ok. I've no advice to offer, other than what you are doing. My eldest 2 boys came racing out of school a few weeks ago, I was standing talking to someone. They were having a race and ran straight across the road to our car. They are 8 and 10! I honestly thought they would have had more sense but in the moment they were just not thinking. Its so scary.
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