My four year old sneaks outside early in the morning. Help?

Question

I recently moved next door to my aunt. She is like a mother to me, so she considers my son as her grandson, and spoils him accordingly. They are very close.

However, ever since we moved in, my son has been sneaking over there early in the morning, between 5:30-7am. I'm used to him waking me up in the morning, so I don't even notice him leave.

I've locked both doors before I go to bed, and also lock the deadbolt. He knows how to unlock them, so I installed a chain lock at the very top of the door, thinking that will settle it.

This morning, sure enough, he snuck out again. This is extremely dangerous, and scares me. I've tried explaining to him why it's wrong to do this, took away tv privileges, time-outs, no sweets, and even spanked him. After a month, he still goes out. What do I do?

Answer 1

have you tried the door k**b covers??? even some adults cant figure them out.  I love em

Answer 2

My boy was an early morning wanderer too. We put a baby gate on his bedroom door that he couldn't open.

We also put those contact magnetic alarms on the external doors they can be switched on at night and off the next day, they sound if the door is opened, and while it might not stop the escape, it will alert you to it.

He's going to be six soon and he still has his baby gate on, not now to keep him in, but to keep the dog out so he can still have his bedroom door open when he's playing in there and she can't come in and chew his toys.

Answer 3

What does grandma do?  Does she take him back home?  If not, she needs to.  Tell her that it is dangerous for him to leave and that she needs to bring him back, no rewards.

How did he get out of the chain lock?  You didn't say.  You can get locks on your door that can be locked from the inside.  The family I babysit for has this.  It's a pain to have to unlock the door with a key inside before going out, but it would solve your problem.  You could just lock it and then keep the key from him, and he wouldn't be able to get out.

If I were you, that's what I'd do.

Answer 4

Your kid is really smart.

Answer 5

I live behind (we have a gate) my sister and had the same problem.  When my son (and my daughter but she is 10 now) went to my sisters house early in the morning, she would always ask if they told me they were there.  Or, she would say "you need to go home and tell your mom where you are".  Eventually they got tired of getting kicked out.  Anyway, when they would ask me if they could go I would tell them "not until 9 am".  I showed them what 9 am was on the clock and they know they can't go over before then because it is too early.  I am always up by then so I would know if they were going.

Answer 6

there is a magnetic alarm you can buy for your door , you can get them at home depot and when you go to bed at night just set it.Trust me the minute that thing goes off he wont be going out the door anymore for awhile , some of them make a loud siren sound.It also helps if someone decides to come in .  

Answer 7

He stays there "until she leaves for work"?  Excuse me if I'm reading something into your question that isn't correct but it sounds to me like you're continuing to sleep for a long time after your son has gotten up, hungry for breakfast and ready to start his day.  Besides using magnetic alarms to be sure he doesn't sneak out, set an alarm clock to wake you and get up in the morning so you can supervise him.  Even if he couldn't sneak out and go next door any longer, it's not safe for him to be virtually alone in the house for a long time in the morning.

Edit:  I was not accusing you of neglect in any way and I certainly didn't mean to hurt your feelings.  I don't wake up in the morning 'naturally' but instead rely on TWO alarm clocks.  Many parents feel that their children are safe in their home, but it is parental supervision that actually makes the house safe.  There are many ways that a child this age could hurt himself.  I'm not sure whether your aunt is trying to give you a break so that you can get enough sleep or just enjoys your son, but obviously you are worried that he could get hurt going outside.  I wanted to warn you that he could also get hurt inside while you're still asleep.

Answer 8

WOW that's dangerous. Maybe you and your aunt can sit down with him and talk to him about the dangers. Maybe set up a time he can go over to your aunts. Good Luck

Answer 9

scare him sayin the boogie man is out there