We’ve Got a Little Speedster

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We’ve Got a Little Speedster

by Sarah Mitchell

Updated: November 9, 2020

Originally Published: August 1, 2015

My 3-year-old is a tiny tornado. Taking him to the playground feels like releasing a wild stallion in a crowded city square. The moment I unbuckle him from his stroller, he bolts toward the closest construction site, a precarious scaffold, or a hole in the fence leading to a rushing river. Forget “enjoying the day” or “having fun.” My sole mission has become “keep him safe, despite his insatiable desire for adventure.”

He once crawled under a fence at the Family Farm, and a few kind strangers helped me find him while he was trying to milk a bronze cow statue—unsuccessfully, of course. He dashed toward a kid’s birthday party at the park, and in an instant, his little brown-haired figure disappeared into the throng of people. I have never felt such relief as when I found him devouring a hot dog from a stranger’s plate.

Running is clearly in his nature. I remember the days when I would purposefully wander off from my mom in crowded grocery stores just to find a cashier and dramatically announce that I had “lost my mommy.” Kids will do just about anything for a free cookie.

Strategies for Keeping Your Speedster Safe

While there’s only so much I can do to keep my son safe, we’ve developed a few strategies that help bring him home in one piece:

1. The Monkey Backpack. He loves it for its cheerful design and the stash of fruit leather inside. I appreciate its handy red nylon leash and the phone number I’ve written inside.
2. Don’t hesitate to call it a draw. Stick to fenced-in parks, playgrounds, and toddler gyms. This running phase is temporary, or at least I hope it is.
3. Dress your child in bright colors. You know how you tie a hideous ribbon on your black roller bag at the airport to easily identify it? Do the same with your kid.
4. Keep the conversation with your child proactive, simple, and upbeat. Proactive: If he’s already running, it’s too late for the “no running” lecture. Discuss the rules while you’re in the car heading to the zoo. Simple: Your kid won’t listen for long, so keep it brief: “Running away scares Mommy. Let’s have fun but stay close. If you run away, I’ll have to clip you back in the stroller, okay?” Upbeat: Try to channel your child’s energy into a team effort: “If you’re ready to move on from the penguins, just say, ‘Hey Mom, let’s go see something else!’ and we can go together!”
5. Keep your promises. “If you run away one more time, we have to leave.” When he takes off, even just a few steps, he’ll look back to see what you’ll do. You might want to pretend you didn’t see him, but you know what’s required.

We’ve got a little speedster, and I know we’re not alone. I see you at the park, calling out your children’s names as your neon-jacketed toddlers sprint toward busy roads and scrap heaps. I see you doing your best.

I’m not going to tie this up with a neat little bow about how spirited children are a blessing or any of that. We navigate life at a constant low level of anxiety, and it’s messy. We’ve chased our kids down muddy slopes, through thorny bushes, and even, terrifyingly, under booths at a local restaurant.

I won’t try to find a silver lining. Having a toddler who runs is daunting and exhausting. I simply want to say: I get it, and I wish you strength, fellow parent.

And between you and me, I know a vet who works out of a warehouse near the airport microchipping adventurous little ones. Just mention my name, and he might throw in a nice grooming session too. For more on home insemination methods, check out our other blog post here. And if you’re looking for a reliable home insemination kit, this retailer has you covered. For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, this resource is invaluable.

Summary

Navigating life with a toddler who loves to run can be a challenge, but implementing some strategies can help keep them safe while allowing for fun. From using a monkey backpack to dressing them in bright colors, these tips can ease the anxiety of parenting a little speedster. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey!