My son hates his car seat

Jessica - posted on 03/29/2010

I had the same issues with Lilly...she is a very strong willed little girl...I have found that with anything that she does not want to do, I talk to her. I explain why we have to do certain things, what will happen if we don't do them, and then I let her help. This is key with her...she is independent in many ways. With her car seat, i told her that she has to sit in her big girl chair and wear her seat belt just like mommy, or she could get hurt...and have boo-boo's all over her arms and legs. After doing this a few time she got the hang of it...now when we get into the car she says "no ows" and she puts the straps on herself and helps me to do the buckles! One thing I have learned is that these kids are not stupid and if you just take the time to explain things, it makes day to day activities less stressful for everyone! Hope this helps!

Christian - posted on 03/28/2010

I have experience this myself. Nothing really has gotten Caleb to stop the scream necessarily, but holding him in place while using the other hand gives me a hand up on getting him in it, and eventually (sometimes) as I put the straps around his shoulders he gives up and realizes he is sitting in it. Other times, he cries up until the moment I get in the car too. I noticed that the nicer it is outside the more he fights it. So I have also started bringing some of his favorite toys that are easy to play with in the car, like the soft squishy ball he has, or his Chuck and friends cars..... and hand it to him as I am buckling him in as well. This helps quite a bit.

Hope that helps a little.

Penny - posted on 03/25/2010

My daughter watches Dora and every time Dora goes anywhere she wears her seat belt. We'll usually say "Seat belt! So we can be safe!" because that's what Dora says. That has really helped when putting her into her car seat. If she tries to twist and turn away I'll say Dora's little quote and she'll usually start saying it with me and let me belt her in.

Lenash - posted on 03/24/2010

Actually, i have not experience this before but some of my friends have. But i can suggest that you put her on the car seat and fasten the seat belt around him, i think this will help a little.

Angela - posted on 03/18/2010

We had the same issue with my daughter and we tried everything!!! it was when we had to buy a new car seat (new bub on the way) for her that we noticed she wasn't fighting/struggling anymore. she now is happy to walk to her side of the car and wait to be put in!!!! With us, it was lucky that we had to get a new chair for her so we got one that wasn't as padded and plenty of room for her but i can understand that to buy a different car seat can also be expensive....but that is what worked for us...coincidently!! xo

Kathryn - posted on 03/18/2010

Yes, I have been dealing with the issue with the car seat since my son was just about a year. Argh, very annoying. I had tried everything from books, toys, songs, food, and drinks. Nothing seemed to work. He would scream (and kick and arch his back) not only while getting in the seat but on almost every car ride.



Suggestion- The best thing that has worked for me is to let him be "in control." When it is time to go for a ride, tell him so and ask him to get in his seat (let him try to cimb in). Then ask him to help you buckle all the buckles. Right now at this age it is all about ego, everything THEY want to do not what we want. If you let him fell like he is a part of it, that may help.



Also, if your son has a favorite character (my son doesn't know characters but he loves busses) Find some stickers and have your son "decorate" his car seat. Maybe a sticker on the chest part of the buckle and one on the button part. That way you can point out their sticker and work with how fun it is.



Hope it helps. Most of the time it works for my son but not every time.