Creative Ways to Handle a Car Seat Meltdown

Parents have enough to worry about without wrestling their kids into their car safety seats. If your child occasionally puts up an epic fight to escape the confines of their car seat, you have felt that type of frustration. Your kids don’t understand that they don’t have a choice and often feel like they are being forced to do something unfair; from their perspective. 

When kids resist getting into the car seat, time is wasted, and patience is tested all around. It doesn’t take long for a bit of fussiness to turn into a full-on car seat meltdown. Choosing how you handle this situation can determine how fast you come to an appropriate outcome. You may need to employ a few tricks to get them in their highback booster seat or infant seat from Diono.com. Let’s take a closer look at a few easy ways to handle a car seat meltdown. 

Make Adjustments

The first assumption parents should make during a car seat meltdown is that the child is uncomfortable. If the straps are too tight, they could bite into the tender skin and cause pain or irritation. Let your child know you are willing to do whatever you can to help them be more comfortable within the legal limits. Your moment of empathy, to check and see if the seat is properly adjusted, can be enough to help your child calm down from a meltdown. 

Offer a Choice

Small children often resent being at the whim of adult rules everywhere in their lives. They don’t necessarily understand why they need to be properly restrained in the car. To help a fussy child feel like they have a bit of control over the situation, you can offer them a choice that is agreeable to you. For example, you could ask them if they want to get in the car by themselves or if they want your help. Giving kids a choice could help them feel more comfortable being strapped into their seats. 

Be Empathetic

Empathy is an important part of the child/parent relationship. Children want to know that their concerns and feelings are being acknowledged. When your child throws a fit, let them know you understand how they feel. You can acknowledge that being strapped into a seat can be uncomfortable but needs to be done for their safety. Let your child know that you are willing to do anything possible to make their car ride easier. Simply showing compassion and empathy can help your child feel less rebellious. 

Stay Calm 

One of the hardest things to do as a parent when facing the wrath of an angry child in the midst of an emotional meltdown is to stay calm. When you let your frustration and annoyance get the better, your mood instantly transfers to your child. If you need a moment, take one. Step back from the situation, take a few deep breaths, and remember that it is your job as a parent to set an example of appropriate behavior for your child. 

Parents face daily challenges when it comes to their children. Facing down a red-faced toddler that refuses to get into their car seat is a familiar battle to most families. Follow some of these tips to help you effectively handle a car seat meltdown.