My sister-in-law does not make her kids wear seatbelts. They are 3, 5, and 10. When I ride in the car with them my SIL drives and I really want the kids to wear their seatbelts. Do you think she would get mad if I turned around and told them to put their seatbelts on? Any advice on a nice way to approach it? I have told my husband they need to be wearing their seatbelts (my husband and I both do), but he won't say anything to his sister. I feel like the kids lives are in danger. If we had a wreck I'm sure they would be seriously injured, if not killed.
2007-06-05 03:27:22 · 28 answers · asked by susan t 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
My sister-in-law does not make her kids wear seatbelts. They are 3, 5, and 10. When I ride in the car with them my SIL drives and I really want the kids to wear their seatbelts. Do you think she would get mad if I turned around and told them to put their seatbelts on? Any advice on a nice way to approach it? I have told my husband they need to be wearing their seatbelts (my husband and I both do), but he won't say anything to his sister. I feel like the kids lives are in danger. If we had a wreck I'm sure they would be seriously injured, if not killed.
Just wanted to give a little update - when they are in my car, they have to wear their seatbelts, the older ones don't mind, but the 3 year old always cries, but we make him anyway. I'm just talking about when I'm in her car, and sometimes she doesn't even have a car seat for him to sit in.
2007-06-05 03:44:27 · update #1
Sounds like you take the children's live more seriously than their own mother does. Good for you!! I'd say something if I were in the car. It would be awful not to say anything and then if an accident were to happen, God forbid, living with the guilt of "why didn't I try?"
My 2 daughters were killed in an automobile accident this past January. My one daughter, 21 years old and the driver, wore her seatbelt but my other daughter, 18 years old, didn't. She found it "uncomfortable". Not going for sympathy here, just wondering if your sister-in-law wants to do everything in her power to help her children live. I'm sure she doesn't want to pick up a copy of her children's death certificate and read "multiple blunt force trauma" as the cause of her baby's deaths.
So what if she gets mad? Someone has to say something for the children's sake. Good luck to you and don't give up trying!!!
2007-06-05 04:22:06 · answer #1 · answered by grannyhuh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have the authority to make your sister-in-law's kids do anything when she is present and in charge. You could ask your sister in law if she would ask them to put them on. The children ARE in danger if they aren't wearing their seatbelts. When I drive, children under 12 years old ride in the back seat (even if it is just me and one child) and the car doesn't MOVE until everyone is buckled up!
You could also call the police the next time you know she's heading out with the kids and give them an anonymous "heads up"....
2007-06-05 11:00:26 · answer #2 · answered by Romans 8:28 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seatbelts are a requirement in my car, and my daughter (who is 8) will tell her friends right away to put them on before I go. So many of her friends look at her strangly when they put it on, obviously none of them have to wear them. I would just get in and toss over your shoulder "Make sure you put your seat bests on" and if they protest talk about how safe it is. The 10 year old will understand, but the 3 & 5 years may not. For that fact, the 3 year old should still be in a car/booster seat by law!
2007-06-05 10:34:54 · answer #3 · answered by breezer 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Of course you should. Which is more important? Your nephew and neice's lives or your sister-in-law's approval? Its really important to wear seatbelts.
You could just turn around and say something like, "Hey kids, don't forget your seatbelts!" or something. I'm pretty sure you're SIL wont object.
But then again, my family has always had good relationships so im not sure about your SIL's temperamant.
Good Luck!
PS. If your sister objects, maybe she's psychotic. Or a control freak.
2007-06-05 10:34:01 · answer #4 · answered by Laura 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately if those kids are in YOUR car you have every right to insist that they wear their seatbelts. In Canada it's the law* or you're fined...and a child 8yrs and younger can not sit in front seat. If your sis gets mad that you TELL the kids they HAVE to wear their seatbelts in YOUR CAR ...then too bad for your sister. If she doesn't care enough to strap the kids in and an accident occurs....they definately won't make it or will be seriously hurt for life> IT takes 2 seconds to buckle up* but tis so worth it*
You just tell the children they are in YOUR car and it's your rule to wear the seatbelts* No ifs ands or buts*.......Protect your sis's kids, as she isn't doing it. All 3 kids are too young to make their own decision whether to wear seat belts or not* So you need to be the proper adult and enforce it* Explain to your sister that you care bout her kids safety and at anytime an accident can occur and you'd feel better knowing they were buckled in*
GOODLUCK* and you're doing the right thing*~
2007-06-05 10:40:01 · answer #5 · answered by friskymisty01 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your SIL is in the wrong here but I don't think you should just turn around and tell the kids to put their seatbelts on. Talk to her about your concerns.
I am shocked that anybody would put their children in danger, especially over something as simple as putting a seatbelt on!
2007-06-05 10:35:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course. It sounds liek you are more worried about the kids than their mother is. They need ot understand that seatbelts are important. And your right if they get in an accident you would want them to be okay. Just ask them to put on their seatbelts and if they refuse tell them why you want them to. If that does not work then do it for them. Trust me they may struggle with it but they will thank you someday. :D
Oh by the way. If your husband really cares about his sisters kids he will talk to her aboutit. Now i'm not saying he should be mean but he should mention something. So if something happens he won't feel guilty for not telling her anything.
Good luck!
2007-06-05 10:35:16 · answer #7 · answered by lucy lu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Australia, it is mandatory to wear seatbelts or we get a fine. Maybe you could find a website on what car wreck look like & that may scare her into making them wear a seat belt.
2007-06-05 10:31:40 · answer #8 · answered by Aussie 1 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe in wearing seat belts! My car doesnt move unless ALL seatbelts are buckled. (If I run into a situation that someone doesnt want to obey that......they walk). I would make it quite clear to her that for the childrens safety, they should be wearing them. The other thing I would make quite clear are the consequences of not wearing one........ death, a huge fine, and or CPS getting involved. A seatbelt is not worth loosing my kids over!!!!!!!!!
2007-06-05 10:38:02 · answer #9 · answered by Katie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, you should. it's illegal not to wear seatbelts. if you get pulled over, there's a hefty fine. i don't know if your sis in law will get mad or not if you told her kids to wear seatbelts. hopefully, she will not be. i would just tell her in a nice way that her kids should be wearing seatbelts at all times, that many people lose their lives over something as simple as that. and also that it's against the law for passengers not to wear seatbelts.
2007-06-05 10:36:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋