My Son Loosens His Car Seat Restraints

Hi,

We have a Britax Boulevard and my 2 year old daughter does the same thing. We had the Roundabout for her but when my son was born we started using the Roundabout for him. I'm in the process of writing a letter to Britax about this problem. I don't think anything will happen to resolve it, but I'll feel better knowing that I tried. I'll let you know if they offer any possible solutions.

I do not have one of these seats, but could you use a safety pin to secure it so he can't loosen? I do not really know if this will help but it is an idea.

If the strap is uncomfortable, there are cushioned strap covers that can make it less "owie". But if it's just that he's not happy with being buckled in (as many 2 year olds are not)try instituting a reward system for leaving the straps as they are supposed to be.

For a two year old something as simple as a single M & M (there are health-food store equivalents) will be a sufficient reward for compliance. Even a two year old can understand: That's not safe. If you stay safe by leaving the strap alone then you get this! yay!(I"m not a big candy proponent, but this is a major safety issue. The expectation and habit developed will have a longer lasting impact than simply saying "no." Another option is having a visual checklist posted next to him (you can use velcro) and every time he obeys you (with one reminder) you can check it off. Tell him if he gets three checks then he gets....whatever you have decided ahead of time. There are many different reward options you can give him for compliance: 15 minutes of video at home later (with you), reading a special story together, giving him a special (healthy but yummy) treat.

Another strategy is to have a special toy that he can only hold when he's in his car seat (which makes it more attractive). Explain it to him, buckle him in and then hand him the toy. We call this "first, then..." strategy. FIRST you get buckled in and THEN you get the toy. If he reaches for the strap, gently take the toy back. Calmly remind him, As soon as you settled down you get to hold your toy. First you get buckled up and then you get the toy. If you don't buckle up, you don't get the toy. Usually kids will go right for it. If not, be calm (I know, I'm sure you're in a hurry, but it won't take long for him to catch on I promise) and wait him out holding the toy until he settles down. Praise him a lot for making good choices.

All I can think of is safety pinning the strap you pull to tighten the restraints to the padding on the seat.

I would definitely remind him each time how dangerous it is to do that, but to be safe, pin it. Also, depending on the style you have (I know the button covers are all different), maybe you could just pin the button cover closed (as long as he couldn't undo that). Good luck! :-D

My son also did that (he will be three next week, but it was probably sometime in his early twos) and I simply explained to him that it was very dangerous to do that...he is quite smart (I know, we all think our kids are), but in addition to figuring out hte straps, he figured out that I was serious...I didn't yell, just explained that he could fall out...Maybe you can explain to him that it is dangerous, and after you strap him in, check with him to see if it is "loose enough" for him to be comfortable...also, you can let him take part in the buckle up process - my son likes to buckle the chest clip...

I don't have any advice, but I just wanted to say that so many people have this problem, I don't know why Britax continues to use this design! The push button on the Roundabout is so much harder for them to figure out. My son did the same thing on his Wizard! Thankfully he just stopped doing it on his own. I hope yours does, too!

You can tell him he won't be safe if he does that. It is also the law that he stay in so you could tell him the police say he has to stay in to follow the rules (if he knows/likes police). If he doesn't stay in, he can't go anywhere, and be ready to follow through. These all worked with my son and now he won't let me put the car in gear until he and everyone in the car has their seat belt on.

Britax knows this is a problem, so the new Marathon covers only have a slit instead of a flap where the harness adjuster is.

You can safety pin the cover shut and/or call Britax and ask for a free training tool. It is a plastic cover with velcro that makes it harder for parents to adjust, but impossible for the child to pull up on the harness adjuster.