How do i get my 19 month old daughter to quit taking the seat belt strap off?

Question

How do i get my 19 month old daughter to quit taking the seat belt strap off?
my daughter keeps taking off the plastic strap that goes across the chest and i am afraid that if we get or in a wreck we are gonna have some major problems... can anyone help?

Answer 1

Explain to her that it is not okay. Give her a toy to play with while she is in the back seat.

Wait a few minutes before taking off; no doubt she'll try and remove it before you even get the car in drive. Watch for it, and when she does, turn around and address her firmly, taking her hands in yours gently, while you shake your head and say "Not okay." Most of the time, they think it's a game at first, and might laugh at you, or get mad. Just be patient and consistant.

Answer 2

I actually had this problem, and just stopped the car everytime she opened the chest strap. We also watched Dora frequently, making a point every time Dora said something like "Buckle so we can be safe." She loved Dora, so this worked ok. We kind of made it a routine- we said "Buckle and be safe" every time we got in the car.

I think duct taping the chest buckle would work, though. It gets the point across that you are serious, but doesn't prevent you from quickly getting the child out if you need to.

Answer 3

She should be in a child restraint system (forward facing and properly tethered) and not using the seat belt at all. They are designed for 100+ pound adults, not little girls. What I did was to stop the car as soon as I noticed it, sternly tell my son to not undo the buckle on his car seat, always wear my own belt (lead by example), and tell him it's so we can be safe. I told him that if Mommy crashed the car, the buckle would help keep him from being hurt really bad. Even at her age, she knows hurtful pain and having to go to the doctor, kids are smarter than you think. Also, kids shows like Barney, Dora, Diego, the Wiggles and Sesame Street sometimes have episodes that use seatbelts and reinforce it every time in the car. Always wear yours.Better to arrive late than never.
Try going to a place that sells medical devices for developmentally delayed people. They might have one that autistic children have to use since they don't understand the danger of not being properly restrained. They can only be released by using a key (that you would carry) Please do not use a safety pin in the seat belt strap (that decreases the strength of the strap)

Answer 4

My 3 yr old son does this...and he is very constructive to get his way out! One time, my mom-in-law got pulled over, because my son was standing up in the back seat! She didn't know he was out! I am afraid that he will open the door and out he goes when the car is moving!

What we did was the shoe string thing...but he has figure out how to untie knots!
I am going to the police department this lunch time to ask what I can do....the suggested the fire department as they have car safety seat programs....

Thanks for asking this question....I am getting some good advice too!

Answer 5

First off is she in a child car seat for her age?If not why? She should be in one until she is 40 pounds and then a booster seat after that with a seat belt until about 8 years.
Secondly lead by example. tell her that everyone uses a seat belt or the car doesn't go. Make sure she understands why and what might happen if she doesn't wear a seat belt. you might have to repeat this several times. but it will click in eventually.

Answer 6

Clip a big diaper pin (the kind kids can't open) to the seat belt strap. When you put her in the seat, open the pin and run it through her shirt or coat on the shoulder and then re-close it. She won't be able to get the strap off herself.

Answer 7

I would suggest using a very authorative voice and letting her know that if she doesn't stay strapped in you will be forced to spat her little hand. Not all parents approve of punishment in this way. I was punished like that and so was my son. He is 5 now and will not get into a car without fastening his seat belt.

Answer 8

If stern discipline isn't working and you're concerned for her safety I would invest in a new car seat that buckles from behind so she cannot get to the seat belt and unbuckle herself. (one of the 5 harness ones works good)

Answer 9

try buying a sure fit seat belt adjuster .... it moves it from where most kids complain about them being. It brings it over more on the shoulder not on their neck.

She is too young to understand the fact that its for her saftey.

Answer 10

take a shoe string and tie it around the two straps along with the plastic buckle... double knot the shoestring and be sure to leave a little slack.... you don't want it tight... only enough to keep the straps from coming apart.... while it isn't the ideal way, it's better than what you have now.