At home, he runs away and hides under the dining table or his crib, where it's a great game if Mom or Dad crawl under to get him out. We know that's what he wants, so if time allows, we just ignore him, and he soon comes out. When we're in a hurry to leave for work or daycare, however, he seems to love the look of annoyance on my face when I have to physically pull him out. In stores, he has literally hidden under displays or racks where I couldn't immediately see him. My husband wants to let him walk each time, so again, he gets different messages from each parent.
Children can tell if parents mean what they say.
Subtle clues, such as the tone of your voice, your body stance, and even the words you use send a message about how serious you are and how much testing you will allow. Children test limits. It's the way that they learn many of life lessons. They experience fairness of authority, enforcement of rules, the needs for being responsible, the art of compromise, the idea of flexiblily, and the importance of a sense of humor. There are several strategies that can be put in place to help you.