My little Houdini! Help!
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| Thu, 06-02-2005 - 5:46pm |
My 3 yr. old has recently figured out how to unbuckle the 5 point-whatever-it-is thingy on the car seat (Cosco brand). With his fine motor problems, this is quite an accomplishment. However, dangerous.
I guess I have two questions:
1. What do you do when this happens? I've tried stopping the car, re-bucking, explaining that it is dangerous. Of course that does not work. As soon as I start the car again, he unbuckles. I've tried threatening witholding treats etc. But it's too delayed from the action to make sense to him. Mostly I unfortunately find myself turning into a screaming meany which make little DS cry and he buckles again and I feel like a jerk and hate myself. Any behavioral ideas?
2. Anyone got a good car seat for a 36lb. boy that he can't get out of?
In a related matter, DS has also taken to climbing on the window sill in his bedroom. He does this quietly and tells me he just wants to look at the trees (there is a big tree by his window) because it looks the same as when he stands on top of the slide at the park. (At least I think that is what he is trying to tell me.) He would lay there on his stomach watching the leaves for hours if I let him. Our windows have an alarm that sounds when they open, and I don't think he's figured out how to unlock them yet, but I am scared! I've moved everything away from the window to make it harder for him to get in, but somehow he still gets up there. At least now that it is harder, I can hear him right away when he is pulling up.
Which brings me to another matter, are we all resigned to using baby monitors for the rest of our lives? I've seriously considered investing in the video camera/tv kind, given this new climbing-adventure guy tendancy.
Any ideas or BTDT advice?
Katherine

wow, i think i will have the same problem very soon. matt is 40#+ and will be 3 in july.
just some ideas i thought of...
could you ditch the harness, use the seat as a booster, and put across the shoulder strap? maybe from an angle instead of head on, he won't be able to get at it as well. (that is if you have the tether to hold the seat in place)
or come up with a device to cover the harness meeting point? i would even be tempted to call customer service at the company for advice--i'm sure that kids NT and AS have done this.
don't know about the window thing. maybe put a stick in it to prevent it opening in case he does figure out the lock.
valerie
Katherine,
Wow!! Let's see....when Nathan was little, he couldn't undo the seatbelt, it was really tough, even I had a hard time. He could put himself in the seat and snap himself in though. Now we use the "car" seatbelt to strap him into his chair. He can't snap this one because of the angle.....but he CAN snap it to get out. OK....that didn't help, did it?! Just kidding! I would go look at all the different car seats that are out there, and find one that is tough to snap out of, especially from his angle. The one we have is a Century.
Nathan did have a habit of opening the car door...WHILE I WAS DRIVING!!!! So, luckily I have a vehicle that has child safety doors. He can't get out, I have to open the door for him!!! He's 6 now, but I still have the safety lock on....just incase!!!
And, yes...I do still use the baby monitor. I think I'll always use some kind of listening device or intercom system to keep track of him. He doesn't always call me, when he needs me. He's very unpredictable.
Michelle
Thanks for all the good ideas, as usual. I knew I could count on you!
I am going to fiddle with flipping the lock upside down. The way it is made, I can't really do anything with the regular car seat belt shoulder strap. If I can't make the upside down method work, I'll call the manufacturer about a cover, or make one myself! If all else fails, new car seat that uses cross over shoulder strap of car, I guess!
Michelle, I too thank god for automatic locks on the car doors and windows!
I did put a stick in his bedroom window. That may hold him for awhile, but I am not sure. I had not thought of the "universal no" sticker for the window. That may make the tree outside less interesting and be a good reminder for him, as he responds to visuals. I do tell him that the window is not for climbing on etc., but almost every morning that is where I find him. I think now it is partly a habit. I am also going to try going in before he wakes up and doing something to get him into a different routine in the morning so he doesn't automatically wake up then try to climb in the window.
Thanks again everyone, if I learn about some new window device I'll let everyone know.
Katherine
No clue on the car seat issue, but here are a few window devices that might help to make sure if he tries to open the window, you have time to get to him before he falls out...
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/27181/127764/117.html
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/27181/464/117.html