Feeling horrible after a 'near miss'

Reins are a good idea for toddlers. Easier to hold on to than slippery little hands.
So glad you got to him in time, OP. We’ve all been there so don’t be too harsh on yourself.

Yes, when DS was 18 months old and we were buying fruit and veg in our local market. I let go of his hand for a few seconds while I put a bag of fruit in a bag. Reached for him again - and he was gone. We looked up and down the aisle of stalls we were in and couldn't see him. DH ran up the aisle, through a gap in the stalls and saw him on the edge of a busy road.

He had crawled/walked under the grass fabric the stall was draped with, out the other side of the stall, across the area behind the stall and to the edge of the road. All in probably less than a minute. I will remember that minute for the rest of my life.

My eldest, used to do this, so I had to buy him a harness, disguised as a monkey toy, on his back. My youngest was clingy in the extreme so never had to worry about him dashing off.

Please don'y beat yourself up. It happens to most people at some point x He's ok and that is all that matters x

Don't feel awful I'm sure we.ve all done it with either our own or grandchildren. My GD would not hold anyone's hands so dd got her reins. We got out of the car in the car park and did not realise she had got out of her seat I caught the reins backpack just in time as a car came along. She was dangling in mid-air and squealing and still did not learn a lesson.
Try to relax you'll be ultra-careful in future.

They're slippery little bubs, aren't they?
I once lost mine on a beach, though I was watching her like a hawk. She was 2, and I turned my head to answer a friend who'd told me to chill out. "I can't, she's a mini Houdini!" Looked back and she'd disappeared. I scoured the tiny beach but couldn't see her anywhere. I asked a man had he seen her - gave description - and he pointed up the cliff face and just said, "Her?" If I'd had time, I think I'd have decked him for being so flippant, but my ambitious child was actually climbing the cliff so I had to go and rescue her!
Afterwards, my friend said, "I see what you mean!" She had the fright of her life. My DD was just fine, though!

It is so easily done don’t feel too bad about it. When my older son was nearly two and I was pregnant with my younger son we were at the local shops with my mother and all of a sudden he started running away from us towards the road. Thankfully we caught him before he reached the road but we were both taken by surprise as he had never done anything like that before. Across the road we saw a woman in a camel coat like my Mum’s and we assumed he thought it was her and was running to her. I made sure he was always on reins after that scare.

You will feel awful for quite a while, but it does happen. Happily all is well, but you will remember it forever.

When our grandson was nearly 5, I nearly lost him in Disneyland. Luckily he is a red head, so was soon spotted.
But, 22 years later, I sometimes have flashbacks.

My DGS did just this the other day. He’s 7 and has autism and no road sense. My husband let go of his hand for a split second and he made a dash for the road. Husband pulled him back in the nick of time. It breaks our heart what could happen.

Thanks everyone! Feeling a bit better now after your kind responses!

It happens, donr be so hard on yourself, we live and learn.

Kids are like that... Have no fear and love to explore.
You cannot take your eyes off of them for one milisecond.

Don't beat yourself up about it. When my daughter was about three we were preparing to leave for home after staying with my sister for a few days.
We were loading the car up and little daughter ran down the garden path , fortunately in my direction . I grabbed her by the arm seconds before she would have run into the road! I understand your distress, it really shook me up and I have never forgotten it. If she had run to the front if the car it could well have been a very different story - I was at the back putting cases into the boot.
No harm done do relax now !!

Try not to be so hard on yourself. Everyone has let go of a little hand or looked away for a moment. No one can predict if a little one chooses takes that moment to dash away.

The main thing is you caught up to them and prevented a tragedy.

I suppose it's good to be reminded we're not infallible, even with our beloved grandchildren.

What a horrid shock for you - cup of strong sweet tea and a hug needed.
When my son was small we were crossing a road and I had hands full with shopping bags. I said to him 'we'll go after the bus' - and hadn't seen the car following the bus. He trustfully stepped into the road and I just yanked him back. Like you, no harm done, but very shaken at the time - and still a vivid memory 30 years on.
Cold comfort I'm afraid - but at least you're not alone.

That'll be me from now on!

Yup. My DGS is a terror. I try to be super strict with him and am very over cautious.