| Three Ways To Get An Uncooperative Toddler Into a Car Seat |
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| | | Give Them “Options” | | One of the best ways to befuddle a toddler is to give them options. This makes them feel like they do have some agency in this world after all. Of course, the options you are giving them lead to the same goal: getting them the hell into their car seat. But they don’t know that. So when approaching the vehicle the trick is to ask something along the lines of: “Do you want me to lift you into the car seat? Or do you want to climb in by yourself like a big kid?” |
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| | | Let Them Help | | This is an extension of the “options” protocol. It involves letting your kid help with the buckling. Again, the key is to bank on the desire to be a big, responsible kid. It also requires a certain amount of patience. After all, car seat buckles aren’t the easiest things to fasten in the world. And if your kid fastens the straps, make sure you check their work. It’s not like you can blame them if they pop out when you hit the brakes. |
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| | | Give Them A Reason | Car seats will begin to seem way less of a hassle to your kid if there’s something to look forward to (or backwards to, actually). Consider having a special car snack that they only get while in transit. Or have car-specific toys that they enjoy (as long as they aren’t sharp or heavy).
You can even make yourself part of the fun. Maybe you have a fun ritual at red lights. Or you talk like a pirate for the entire ride. Maybe you sing along with Dora at the top of your lungs. Don’t worry. This will not cause them to die of embarrassment for another 11 years or so.
Here are a few more car seat tricks to keep in mind. |
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