Creative Parenting Tricks: How I Get My Daughter to ‘Buckle Up’ with No Fuss

How I Get My Daughter to ‘Buckle Up’ with No Fuss

I’m sure we’ve all been there.  Getting our kids to buckle up can be seriously difficult at times an even frustrating when we’re in a hurry and can’t get them to budge.  But even though there is no way to get them buckled without fuss 100% of the time, you can come pretty close with these creative tricks.

Check out the tips below and share your own in the comments below!  I would love to hear some of the great tricks you’ve come up with.  :)

#1 – Let Them Take Control

My daughter has her own steering wheel.  Yeah, you know those steering wheel covers they sell at the auto parts stores?  We took her shopping to pick out her own and that way she gets to pretend like she’s really driving the car.  True back seat driver.  When she says turn right, I turn…but I don’t tell her that.  ;)  Promising her a turn to drive usually helps her to get into her ‘big girl driving seat’, ya know?

#2 - Offer Bribes

When all else fails, I think the occasional bribing can work in a pinch.  Do I think it’s bad parenting?  Of course not…when done in moderation.  She likes getting a balloon after her dental cleaning, a sticker after a doctor’s visit and a dollar toy or treat on those crabby days when she just isn’t in the mood go for a ride in the car.  Lily knows that she’ll get a treat if we can go to the store and get back with no fussing.  That means listening to mommy and daddy, holding hands or sticking close and of course, getting in her big girl seat without too much protest.

#3 - Buckle Races

One little trick we figured out recently are buckle races.  Lily loves to race mommy and daddy to see who can get their seat belt on first.  If you’re little ones can’t buckle up on their own, like our daughter, one parent or an older sibling can help them buckle while the other races.  Always be sure to check that they’re buckled in safely before take off.  ;)

#4 – Pack a Fun Bag

My daughter loves games and activities like most kids.  So we always keep a “fun bag” in the car.  In our case, it’s a little toddler-sized backpack with games, books and some of her favorite small toys.  Once she’s buckled  up, she knows she’ll be able to open up her backpack and have something extra cool to play with while we’re on the road.  Also, I try to keep these toys separate from her at home toys, so they’ll keep her interest.  She knows that the items in her backpack are only for the car and that makes it a little extra special.  :)

#5 - Seat Belt Safety Talk

When all else fails, we always have a safety talk…especially when the “But, why!?” questions starts to come up.  I often ask her to bring a toy with and if she starts protesting about putting her seat belt on, I’ll ask her, “But what about baby pengüino?  Don’t you want him to be safe?  We have to show him how to buckle up.  You be the mommy and show baby pengüino how to be safe.”  This almost never fails.  She loves to help people and she loves to be a teacher and show her baby stuffed animals how it’s done.  It’s also a great subliminal lesson that shows our little ones that when we ask them to put on their seat belts, it’s because we love them and want them to be safe.

Disclosure: This post is part of a promotion that makes me eligible to win a gift card drawing courtesy of Britax. 

You’re getting Car Seat Safety tips on BiculturalMom.com because I am a Brtiax Latina Advisory Board Member!  The Britax Hispanic Digital and Social Media Outreach is in partnership with Mami Innovative Media.  As always, all opinions here are 100% my own. :)  

Learn more about Britax and get product updates via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  Follow all the Britax Blogueras for the latest giveaways and deals!

© 2012, Chantilly Patiño. All rights reserved.