The car seat for children is obligatory! Although some parents give in to the insistence and crying, carrying the little ones in arms or in the car's seat belts is not an option! The danger they expose even in case of a minor impact risks the child's life!!! Regardless of how hard it seems to convince the little ones, parents should not be swayed!

If the car seat is viewed with skepticism or met with resistance, there are still some methods to try to familiarize and accept it.

Communicate! First of all, if it's big enough, the little one can be told beforehand what is going to happen. A nice story can be told about how the whole family will go shopping or on a trip to grandparents, insisting on positive aspects first, and continuing with explanations within his understanding regarding safety. This conversation will give him the opportunity to get used to the idea in advance.

Be an example! Children do what they see, not what they are told! That's why parents must respect rules too and be an example in this sense: to wear seatbelts and always make sure everything is okay before driving off.

The first contact with the car! Reserve time before the first car rides so that you can give the little one the opportunity to explore the interior. Being a new place for him, fixing him in the car seat may frustrate him and it is natural for him to want to know more about the car. When he presses buttons and pulls on seatbelts, etc., he should be supervised and explained how they work. Thus, the car will become a familiar and friendly environment.

And safety and comfort! Before starting the journey, the baby will be placed in a car seat, left to get used to it for a bit, and then the seatbelts will be put on. Comfort is always taken into account because tight seatbelts, intense sunlight through the window, lack of freedom of movement, etc., mean a stressful and uncomfortable journey for the baby.

Time passes more quickly when you're having fun! Parents can use various games or cards, perhaps some special ones just for these situations, to distract their attention. They can also be prepared in advance a few activities โ€“ songs, maybe some tablet games (strictly reserved for the car), riddles, etc. What's important is that time is occupied and doesn't give the little one the opportunity to get bored or start becoming agitated or nervous.

The rules are always respected! Children speculate immediately on moments of weakness and can ask for an exception from time to time. However, this creates a precedent, so it is very important for parents not to give in to their demands. No matter how much they cry or struggle, this does not involve risks (they will not be traumatized, nothing really hurts them, etc). On the other hand, every car ride made without a car seat involves risks. Not even on a short distance, nor on an empty street... an animal jumping in front of the car, another vehicle accelerating or braking suddenly, a cyclist losing balance in the rain โ€“ all these situations put the baby's life at risk.

In general, the first response to change is reticence! But regardless of the child's first reaction to the car seat, parents must be aware that the main goal is safety and that habit comes from practice! The first trips may be a bit more chaotic, perhaps, but over time the car seat will become a routine for the little ones, who won't even conceive of traveling otherwise!

A main purpose of a parent is to provide the child with safety. Sometimes, or perhaps even often, this means rules and limits imposed. It's natural for it to be so. But the car seat in the car is not negotiable. It is mandatory.ย