"Little Ricky" the Invincible Kid

I've taught my kids how to brush their teeth, how to take a shower alone, how to read and how to share.  I always stress the importance of the dangers in the kitchen and how families are forever.  Each of these lessons have been picked up by the boys and they are ever growing.  


The fact is that some lessons need to be experienced in order to stick.  



Here's a lesson that is hard to teach.
"Little Ricky" thinks he is invincible. 


When we are getting out of the car in a parking lot, he jumps out and starts walking.  I scream to him and explain that we have to hold hands to be safe.  He tells me, "Mom, there aren't any cars coming."  I explain to him that sometimes cars speed in parking lots and come out of nowhere.  But it doesn't get through to him.


When we are shopping in stores, "Little Ricky" tends to wander away.  You have no idea how many times I have turned to get something from the frozen case at BJs and then he's gone.  I panic and so does "The Nag" because he doesn't like losing his brother.  I sound like a crazy person screaming his name in the store.  I explain to him that there are scary people out there who want to take cute little kids and if anyone ever did that to him, I would be so sad.  He tells me, "Mommy, I will scream your name and you will find me."  He still doesn't get it.



These lessons are not the kind that I would rather him learn from experience.  You know what I mean?  


So my question is, how do I make these life lessons stick without him learning by actually having something happen to him?



Alexis