unbuckling chest clip, YIKES!

[Shami]

My dd will be two in late October and she just started unbuckling her chest clip in the car. I want to really deal with this right because it really scares me. Can you give me your best tips/methods? She is very verbal if that makes a difference.

[terrabella]

I've been known to, um... use my "big" voice.

[Shami]

Me too! It seemed to work for the time being, but it made her cry. Better to cry than be in a tragedy, right? Just hoping I could do it a little more gently.

anyone else? In this situation I am not against bribery or any such thing. Whatever works.

[Tofu the Geek]

Keep in mind that the chest clip is just used to ensure the harness straps are positioned properly (i.e. not sliding off their shoulders) and will often break in an accident. In Europe they don't chest clips at all, so if the harness straps are staying on her shoulders, and she isn't pushing her arms under the harness straps, and the harness straps are done up tight, it's not a problem (safety wise).

I can see that you don't want her undoing though because that can lead to her putting her arms under the straps and getting the harness off, or maybe practicing unbuckling the buckle next! Is it maybe resting on a part of her body that is hurting her? (i.e. a chest bone?) Maybe a slight shift up or down would position it more comfortably. Another trick is to stick on a piece of velcro, rough side, because it apparently bothers most kids' fingers and they'll stop fidgeting.

If necessary, you could also replace your chest clip with a different brand of chest clip that may be harder to undo. Because of the purpose of the chest clip, I'd be comfortable using a different brand assuming it fit my harness and was the same overall width as the OEM one (meaning it holds the harness straps in the same position). I just wouldn't put one on that pushed the straps outward.

[Shami]

Originally Posted by Tofu the Geek

Keep in mind that the chest clip is just used to ensure the harness straps are positioned properly (i.e. not sliding off their shoulders) and will often break in an accident. In Europe they don't chest clips at all, so if the harness straps are staying on her shoulders, and she isn't pushing her arms under the harness straps, and the harness straps are done up tight, it's not a problem (safety wise).

I can see that you don't want her undoing though because that can lead to her putting her arms under the straps and getting the harness off, or maybe practicing unbuckling the buckle next! Is it maybe resting on a part of her body that is hurting her? (i.e. a chest bone?) Maybe a slight shift up or down would position it more comfortably. Another trick is to stick on a piece of velcro, rough side, because it apparently bothers most kids' fingers and they'll stop fidgeting.

If necessary, you could also replace your chest clip with a different brand of chest clip that may be harder to undo. Because of the purpose of the chest clip, I'd be comfortable using a different brand assuming it fit my harness and was the same overall width as the OEM one (meaning it holds the harness straps in the same position). I just wouldn't put one on that pushed the straps outward.

Thanks...that is good to know. I am just bumping this thread up in hopes someone else has ideas. I am sure lots of kids do this. My dd just did it again and took her arm out of the strap. I pulled over immediately and got my most serious angry voice out. She cried, but just a little bit. No problem today.

[JamieCatheryn]

DS has been unbuckling his and getting his arms out too. I told him very seriously to put it back, that he needs to be stuck in there very well so he is safe when the car stops quickly, turns hard, or in case we crashed.

[BellinghamCrunchie]

I would seriously replace the clip with one she can't open.

Otherwise you spend way too much time looking in the back seat to make sure she hasn't removed it.

In addition, relying on a 2 year old to keep herself safe just isn't a good plan. Make it so she can't place herself in danger.

I ended up getting a new carseat for DD at that age, but I think they make clips you can place over the existing ones that aren't easily opened. http://www.mypreciouskid.com/seat-be...gel-guard.html

[MaterPrimaePuellae]

Originally Posted by Tofu the Geek

Keep in mind that the chest clip is just used to ensure the harness straps are positioned properly (i.e. not sliding off their shoulders) and will often break in an accident. In Europe they don't chest clips at all, so if the harness straps are staying on her shoulders, and she isn't pushing her arms under the harness straps, and the harness straps are done up tight, it's not a problem (safety wise).

My DD loves to clip/unclip her "top buckle" (she calls the other the "hard buckle," ha ha). Because it's not as much of a safety concern, I don't worry *too* much about it. What I have done is teach her to buckle it herself. She so enjoys buckling/unbuckling it that if I ask her "Is your top buckle buckled?" she'll tell me yes or no, and then buckle it when I ask. I don't think that giving her a little car-seat safety agency at this point is a bad thing.

If she were unbuckling the BOTTOM buckle I would feel differently; but we have so impressed on her the importance of the car seat that she'll freak out if she thinks the car is about to move and she's not buckled in

[Red Pajama]

One of my twins did this around two, and like previous posters have mentioned, it's something I'd use my big voice about. I also used a sock and tied a single knot around the chest plate. I could get it open in a flash, but it was beyond his dexterity to open.

[biennourri]

At about two my DD actually got out of her car seat to get a doll that dropped on the floor. Luckily we were about to stop to let DH off at the airport. We both told her very firmly that was dangerous and luckily it hasn;t happened again. We were totally amazed she was able to get the belt unbuckled. I mean, it's hard to do.

Fast forward to last weekend when she managed to open the car door (um, yes, the child lock is now on- it wasn't totally clear but now I know). Thank God she was still in her seat. I was so terrified I screamed and then screamed at her. I just couldn't think. She cried and I cried and now the lock is on. I wish it had been more "peaceful" but there it is. I've been waking up in the night terrified of the what-ifs. I don't know why people say boys are so much more challenging on this front. She gives any boy a run for his money.

[kimellett]

Don't remember why I did this...too long ago...maybe ds asked why he HAS to be in a car seat all the time, or something. I set him in the seat, not buckled and started the car. We were "cruisin'" along at 1-2 mph and I slammed on the brakes. Clearly we were not going fast enough to warrant any concern (I can walk faster than that!!), but he did have to put his hands out to stop himself. Somehow he "got" that when the car is going normal speed, he'd be really hurt if he weren't in his car seat. He has been very serious about me making sure he's buckled in tight before we start off anywhere...and he's 5 now.