Book suggestions- runaway dogs or children?

I am have a wee problem with my daughter at the moment. She is 5&1/2. Is a happy wee outgoing soul, very caring and empathetic with animals. The last couple of months, through various invitations she has met a whole heap of things she hasn't really had much exposure to previously- makeup, videos to all hours, food with lots of sugar and colourings. So now, when she has one of her issues about something, she has decided she would like to run away "and go and live with someone else." Obviously, she thinks life there will be full of these wonderful things and her life at home appears so deprived. She is such a determined wee sausage, today after being put in timeout for 5 minutes, I found her with a bag packed and about to hop out the window (in the rain too- which didn't seem to deter her.)

So I was wondering- does anyone know of a good childrens book perhaps about an animal that runs away or a little child that runs away and finds that life elsewhere isn't as flash as they thought, that I can read to her. If not I might just write my own just for her!
Thanks HH

Sorry cant think of one at the moment, but will be sure to let you know if I find one.

Can't help but had a problem with 15 year old once, gave me lip, swear words, the lot, TOLD me she was going to a party and that was that. I clipped her one, as she had been told she wasn't going to that particular party, she threatned to ring social welfare as it was called back then. I told her "Hold on, I will look the number up for you". Stopped her in her tracks. She also wanted to go live in another house. Don't know if it would work with a 5 year old though. Maybe a different 'call her bluff' type thing might.

Our son (adopted) at about 4yrs used to say he was going to live with his "other Mother" if I told him off. Had enough one day (not that I was threatened by it he just used to say it so often!) so said Ok let me help you. Helped him pack his PJ's, change of clothes,towel for when he had a shower. He said he needed food, but I said 'ahha your other Mother will have to give you that'. He didn't like the fact he had no food. Once he was packed we walked out the door and down the drive. At the end of the drive I asked him which way we had to go. Of course he didn't have a clue, at each change of direction I asked him which way we had to go! In the end I asked him if he knew where he was going....No:(..... OK so lets go home and unpack and have something to eat. Maybe when you are much older you can go and find your 'other Mum" but for now maybe you had better just live at home!!
It worked!!

My father was telling me today when I was relating the escapist story, that as a child he used to want to do the same thing. Apparently he remembers being chained to the washing line to stop him absconding. On another occasion his parents packed his bag for him, left him to go, and when he got to the end of the long drive, he suddenly decided he might just be be better off at home...

She seems a bit better this week, being away from some of the girls now school has finished. Had a hunting dog once who was missing for weeks, she might like to help me write a story about him all lost and alone, and we can have a wee chat about her woven in there as well.

quote:Originally posted by Hintzashouse

I am have a wee problem with my daughter at the moment. She is 5&1/2. Is a happy wee outgoing soul, very caring and empathetic with animals. The last couple of months, through various invitations she has met a whole heap of things she hasn't really had much exposure to previously- makeup, videos to all hours, food with lots of sugar and colourings. So now, when she has one of her issues about something, she has decided she would like to run away "and go and live with someone else." Thanks HH

I have a just turned 9 year old, and been through the same thing, because neighbours let their girl do it.
Howver there is always a down side to the other "home", and its usually a trade off with other siblings (who won't meet your 5 yo pleasure or approval from past experience) or something like after school care etc. We told ours that her favourite bed time friend had to stay here for the next child;) mean I know.

When my girl got a bit huffy about the makeup issue, I explained to her that in kids makeup to keep the prices cheap, there is a lot of lead content, which causes all sorts of skin problems. She knows from previous talks that I have sensitive skin and rarely wear it myself.

I told her if she was interested in having it put on, I will when she is ready, take her to a specialist and be taught the proper way, but it must include cleaning her face at the end of the day. This causes fuss when they are tired and so she became quickly "over" the use of makeup.... unless its a bit of lippy of mine when going out especially..

We also have had the colourings and additives debate esp. in regard to Uncle Toby's roll ups. I had her in the supermarket one day and showed her the weight and price of them, and then we went to the fresh food section and I showed her the seasonal fruit and the cost and how much more you can get for your money with the real stuff. Esp if you are growing it out the back.

I know this doesn't work with all kids, but I have always been honest with mine from the beginning so she has a lot of common sense and can see the point quickly. she has an allocation of a small amount of lollies each day, but on the rule that good food must be consumed first.. from small experience she has learnt that if not, she doesn't get the chocolate kinder surprise waiting for her in the cupboard...
and that is tempting for her to do the right thing.

Good luck, you are not on your own by any means and don't lower your standards or beliefs to match those who just don't care.

Did you find anything? I think city mouse/country mouse covers this for this age group and, of course, Enid Blytons faraway tree series where somedays the tree has a fantastic world to visit but just as often a scary, yukky one with goblins chasing the children.[:0]

Have you had the other kids visit your place? Our son's friends visited (years ago now) and had a wonderful time sliding down the hill in cardboard boxes, up until that point, our son had thought his friends would think there was nothing to do at our house, .... now they are teenagers and are still hanging out here
Anyone can do make-up, videos, play-station etc but I bet there is stuff at your house that would make your daughter see her home in a whole new light:) Naturally she will then, being a kid, move on to some other thing giving ou a whole new area to worry about[:0]