I'm Leaving

Fortunately, we've never watched anything that said 'I'm running away', so all she said was, "I'm leaving."

"Okay, I love you. Come back to visit. Don't get run over and watch out for the people who steal little kids."

"Okay."

This was her third attempt out the door. She started in just the nightgown. She opened the door and came back in for long sleeves. She made it down the first few steps and came back in for boots.

We were having a difficult afternoon (correction she's having a rough week ever since the neighbor kids came over and refused to let her run the show). She refused to take the word 'no', pouting, whining and crying. I told her if she didn't choose to be happy that she could go to her room because she was not allowed to ruin the reading and craft time for everyone else. After I got everyone working on their craft I went to check on her and she was packing, "I'm leaving."

"Who will take care of you?"
"I will."
"Where are you going to get food?"
"The nugget place."
"How will you get there?"
"Walk really fast. I'll stay on the grass. I won't walk on the road."
"Where will you sleep?"
"On the ground. I'll use my arms for my pillow."
We had now walked to the living room.
"Will you open the door for me?"
"Nope. If you leave no one will be there to help you with anything. You'll have to do everything on your own."
"Okay."

Then she attempted to leave, making her wardrobe changes before finally setting out. She made it about 10 feet off the porch and came back, "I want to stay."

I gave her a hug, "I'm glad. I want you to stay, too. I love you very much. I would not have let you get to the driveway. Did you know that?"

"Really?" She was tearing up now. I gave her a big hug. "I never want to leave."

What was even more sweet was the fact Tamarin was so upset I was letting her go out the door. While she got her shirt and her shoes I told Tamarin that many kids do this and I wouldn't really let her leave. Tamarin tried to bargain with her to stay using the toy they had fought over earlier. She told her she loved her and didn't want her to go. She wouldn't leave the window as she walked off the porch then said excitedly, "She's coming back in!"

She opened the door for her, "You almost made me cry!"

I know I handled this differently than many people would. How did you handle your first runaway attempt? This was my first. Tamarin never did it.