Spot the clue. Know what to do.
Running Off & Bolting
Bolting is a clue, not a crime.
Spot the clue: Running Off & Bolting
| The clue you see | What it means | Do tonight |
|---|---|---|
| Dashes away in parking lots | The world is exciting — and danger isn't real to them yet. | Hand on the car. Every time. Same rule, no lectures. |
| Runs when upset, not just playing | Escape is how their body says "too much." | Teach a safe word and a safe spot to run to instead. |
| Leaves the room during hard tasks | The work feels impossible, so the body leaves. | Shrink the task. "Just this one, then a break." |
| Hides in stores | Overwhelmed — or it's a game that got a big reaction. | Stay calm. Practice "stop and come back" at home. |
| Slips out of the house | Chasing something — or escaping something. | Door alarms, locks up high, and find the reason in a calm moment. |
Then do Monae's 3 steps: 1. Stop ✋ 2. Breathe 🌬️ 3. Say what I need 🗣️
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