my son wont go in the car seat?

Question

he is 2, what ever i try he wont sit in the car seat! if i manage to put him in he will get his arms off and loosing himself. how can i make him sit in his car seat. ? i cant drive now because i cant put him in car seat. he will scream cry but wont go in there

Answer 1

Don't result to violence, it will just make the problem worse. If he realises the car seat gets you angry and makes hurt him, he is less likely to get in the car at all. Try putting a new toy or favourite toy beside him and get him to strap the toy in, and then ask him if he can do what his toy can do. If he is allowed to buckle himself up then he is more likely to do it (But still check after he has that all is well and he is safe). All 2 year old's love to be independent. Make it a game, and distract him from even realising he's in the seat. This works with all the young kids I no. Ohh and every time he manages to get in the seat to and from an outing praise him. You could even make a sticker chart and put it in the car. Every time he gets in the car and makes it to the destination, let him put a sticker on the chart, after a certain amount of trips out let him have a reward. like a new toy etc.

Answer 2

Is the seat in the car when he falls asleep? You have found one of the great secrets of parenthood. Small children sleep very well in a car. The constant hums and whines that are generated by the car and it's tires while moving are soothing for a baby. The sounds are very close to what he heard while inside your wife. A ride in the car will easily solve sleepless nights. Try it whenever he can't sleep. It is a great way to help him when he is sick also, remember, it sooths him. IF you want another of life's little secrets, tape record your wife's belly. Make a tape at least a half hour long. The longer the better. You can loop a shorter tape. Play it back at his bed times and he'll sleep like a prince. You might also find that the way the padding cradles him helps him sleep. We chose to barricade our's in while with pillows or rolled blankets. They were more likely to sleep well. It takes a while for infants to get used to all of the room in the world after being tucked away for 9 months. I hope this helps and Congratulations on your son.

Answer 3

You need to have him in a car seat that is appropriate for his age and a BOOSTER seat isnt (which someone suggested) And the belt needs to be one that comes over the chest and buckles between the legs, make sure it is tight then he wont be able to get his arms free. Let him scream and cry he will learn that this is not a situation where he can get his own way!!

Answer 4

I'm sorry, but I have to say this is mostly a discipline issue. However, that's a good thing b/c that means you CAN fix it! Things concerning safety should never be negotiable. Set aside some time (perhaps most of a day even) when you have nothing else to do. Decide on a place he LOVES and I mean really loves to go. Tell him you're going to go there, and fully intend to go there, too, provided he gets in his seat without a fight and stays there. The first time he fights or climbs out of his seat, pull over, put him back in and head home. At 2 years old, he very well can understand that if he doesn't sit in his seat he doesn't go anywhere.

It may take several different attempted trips for him to grasp this. Keep repeating it - he will get it. Try the park - going for ice cream, going to look at Christmas lights is a great one you could use right now, since that would actually require him to stay in the seat the whole time, but make sure its some darn good light displays! Remember, if he tries to get out or fights, pull over, make sure he's safely restrained again and go home! He has to see you mean business. Don't spank for it - that doesn't even make any sense.

Another thing, make sure the straps are positioned properly. When tightened and on correclty it should be pretty difficult for a child to get out of their seat without unbuckling it. The chest clip should be at armpit level, not higher or lower. The straps should be tight enough that you can't pinch any material at the shoulder. (i.e. put index finger at shoulder, thumb slightly below, and try to pinch, if you get any strap in your pinch, its too loose) For forward facing, the straps must be AT or ABOVE his shoulders. If they are below his shoulders he will easily be able to get out of them.

Answer 5

screaming and crying im afraid needs to be ignored. You cannot let your 2 year old tell you that he WONT go in a car seat. Who is the boss!!!!

Make it fun. Buy some car toys. I believe that you can get a toy steering wheel that sits on the front passenger seat. Car seats are vital so he will have to learn to deal with it. Good luck.
Oh and straps need to be tighter if he can wriggle free.

Answer 6

he mustve gotten scared while in his carseat before, or he may be uncomfortable and theres something that doesn't feel right when he's sitting in it. Try making a game out of it. Or maybe even try a new one - I know the money might be an issue, but not being able to drive, and your son's life/ safety is a lot bigger of an issue! Make it seem fun for him, or let him bring a toy with.

Answer 7

Wait him out. Get him all excited about going byebye and when he tries to act out and not get in his carseat tell him never mind we are not going byebye. Remove him from the car and wait until he calms down and will sit in the seat. This just takes some patience and when he realizes that mommy wont put up with it he will stop...eventually. Good luck:)

Answer 8

Try to trick him into the seat. What I mean is to put elmo in the car seat and see what he does. Kids of the age 2 love Elmo. Tell your son that Elmo would protect him from the BIG BAD car seat!!

Answer 9

I had the same problem my son is also 2yrs. I have given him pretty much a whole toy box inthe back of the car to keep him occupied and it seems to have worked. I also told him that Father Xmas is watching him and if he doesn't go in no toys, they will go to good boys that sit in there seats nicely...bit tough but it worked...good luck

Answer 10

Try buying a new toy (something small) so he can play with it in the carseat.

I saw supernanny deal with this once. She took the carseats inside to get the kids to get used to sitting in it. The kids liked it because it was different, more like pretend play.