My 2 1/2 Year Old Granddaughter Is a "Runner"

My son is like that but he has autism, though I don't think this may have anything to do with it. Have you tried taking her to a running track at a school or somewhere that she can get all her running out and then take her to a library, etc. She may just like the feeling of her body running. Also, you can get one of those child harnesses they sell at Target that look like the little animal backpacks with a small zipper pocket in the back, but they have a strap you can clip on and that will keep her from getting away from you. I have used this on my son and it doesn't look as bad as a regular harness. Many parents are finding this a necessity and people don't look down on it as they used to. If you are really concerned, you could make an appointment with her pediatrician to see what they think of it.

This makes me laugh. My daughter that just turned 2 does this. She doesnt do it exactly to the extent your your little girl, but they both have the same idea. "What were are doing right now isnt fun...chase me"!!

I recently realized that my girl probably does it because when she was a baby who crawled, I would chase her...then she'd turn around and chase me. Now that she is walking and running she wants to play the same game!

Just teach you girl boundaries and that there are particular ways to behave in different settings.

Hahaha! You just brought back some funny memories for me! My first son was just like that. I remember his 2nd birthday party at a park. Once we set him down, nobody could even catch him. And he thought he was so funny! Just laughing and laughing.
He is 6 now and is very well-behaved. When I tell him not to go outside a certain boundary, he doesn't. I'm trying to remember when he changed, but I think it was just a gradual thing. He was very mischievous at 3, but by 4 he had shown himself to be a boy who enjoys pleasing us.
I know every child is different, but I think around 4 most will outgrow this, especially if there is consistent discipline when boundaries are crossed.
Enjoy this funny stage!

Stroller stroller stroller. She isn't old enough to understand that we can run in the library or go outside with out and adult yet so you need to put her in something that won't allow her to get up and run around. Then it's baby steps. What I mean is, she has to stay in the stroller the whole time you are out and about for say a week. Then the next week she has to sit in it but after a few mins she is allowed out and you must tell her she has to stay next to you, no running around, etc and if she does, she is back in the stroller. The minute she is off, back in the stroller she goes for the remainder of the day. The next time you are out, same thing. She will get the idea. Same with being out to eat, put her in one of those highchair (not a booster seat). You have to teach her the limits of running around, where to run around and proper behaviour out in public, and you'll have to do it over and over and over till you feel like a broken record. My son will be 3 in a few weeks and he is allowed to stand on the front of the cart at the store as long as he follows the rules-he doesn't get down, he stands up straight and both hands/feet stay on the cart. He gets 3 warnings and then he has to sit in the seat. I don't care if he screams his head off saying he'll walk, he'll be good, blah blah blah (and that is what he does too), I don't let him out of the cart. And he remembers these things because the next time we are at the store he tells me that he won't get down and he does better for longer.

You just have to set the rules, limits when she is with you and stick to them. Tell her she is to stay at the park and if she trys to go out of the fence you are leaving. When she goes for the fence, it's time to call it a day. After a few more times of that, you can start to give her warnings before you leave.

Good luck!
S.