The dreaded car seat...

[Cowbella]

Hi, my daughter turned two a couple of months ago and has for the past of weeks is a complete nightmare to get into her car seat. She screams and fights if we put her in, She wants to climb in herself, fine, apart from she just faffs around and doesn't get in. I count to five sometimes she will get in, more often than not I have to put her in which results in more screaming. It's just a phase right? . Does anyone have any ideas or is it just a case of tough love?

Bribery?

I'd nip this in the bud very quickly the car seat is not the place for a 2yo to be gaining some independence. You need to ensure she's in and strapped in safely and quickly. So what she screams be firm and clear that you need to strap her in safely to get on with your journey

I have tried bribery! She is a determined little thing!

But I agree it needs nipping in the bud...! There is always something . Thank you!

I read a thing about another child who was like this for a year and then the mum discovered there was a big bit of plastic sticking out under the cover stabbing the kid in the back. Unlikely but worth checking.

Thanks saynotocarrots- I actually remember that article, just been out to check, nothing sticking out...clearly just being a little monkey! Worth a check though so thank you.

I had a complete nightmare with this with my 2yo. What eventually seemed to work was bringing a teddy in the car, so the teddy would be waiting in the car seat, it would be exciting to see which one was there... and if they didn't get in the seat nicely then teddy would go in the boot! Both the carrot and stick approach :)

I have a 2yo who is periodically doing the same thing, OP, wriggling and bucking and not letting me strap him in. If I'm not in a desperate hurry I will simply remove him from the car and sit him firmly back on the ground, and say, "I NEED to get you in the car or we can't go to XYZ. You need to let me strap you in to be safe." And try again. Rinse and repeat - last time I tried this I had to do it three or four times before he relented. If I'm in a hurry, though (eg school run) I will threaten him with losing an imminent treat or privilege (having a nice book to look at in the car, or his snack, or being allowed to walk to the school gate rather than be carried) if he keeps fighting me. And if all else fails, I pull up the seatbelt buckle over his crotch and apply firm but careful pressure onto his lower body area to pin him in whilst getting the straps done up. When I'm finished I calmly but firmly let him know that his behaviour was not good and it made mummy feel sad and cross. It's a work in progress!

ipad mounted on headrest with her favourite shows on works for my DD