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Positive Relationships: Behaviour - I'm off!

Even young children may threaten to pack their bags and run away. Cath Hunter explains why, and offers ways to respond.

Q: A mother asked our advice recently about her son Dylan (4 years 8 months) who's threatening to pack his bags and run away to India. Why and when do children go through this phase? And how should parents and the school respond? Is it generally all talk, or is there any danger that one day this little boy will wander out into the streets on his own?

A: A child threatening to pack their bags and leave home is a concern for all adults involved, especially the parents, but it is not uncommon for children to go through such a phase. Many children at some stage in their lives talk about running away, usually because they don't like the rules at home.

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