My two-year old grandson will not stay in his car seat. One morning this past week, he got out of the seat four times during the three mile ride from his parents' home to ours. It seems that the straps can't be fastened tightly enough to keep him from slipping out. In addition, he can unfasten the piece that connects the two straps. This kid is a Houdini in training! LOL! He acts very pleased with himself every time he escapes. His mother has had two different highway patrolmen check it for her, and they both said that he was fastened in properly. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

By Kaye on Saturday, August 16, 2003 - 10:34 pm:

What type of clip does he have fastening the straps together? If it is one of slip in pieces, call the company and ask if they have a piece that clicks together. I think our century one had one that you clicked and to remove it you had to squeeze both sides. We used this on a different car seat later because my little guy did the same thing. I also wrapped a dish towel around it to keep it out of sight at times. Another option is to find the punishment that will work for him. My middle kid, we finally said you know if you don't stay in your seat you will have to walk. So the next time it happened I pulled over, made my hubby get out and they walked (good thing we were close..lol) but he never got out again!

By Feona on Sunday, August 17, 2003 - 06:36 am:

I would pull the car over and give him a 2 minute time out everytime he pulled out of the car seat. I would also express negative words. (Yell)

By Jenn on Sunday, August 17, 2003 - 09:00 am:

I am going to be totally honest about what I would do. I am more of a loud person and I raise my voice to the kids to let them know that I am not playing games, so I would tell him not to move a muscle and probably tell him that it is dangerous to do that. Does he have a special toy or something that would keep his hands busy? This is what I have had to do with Chad in his other carseat. The dollar store has those boards that they can draw and pull the thing up and draw again. I hope that you find something to help you out.

By Feona on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 07:04 am:

We also use kids music and bag of toys next to car seat (that stay in the car) to amuse child .

By Bobbie on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 07:50 am:

My sister does the kids music to.. She sings the songs along to the music and the niece is so busy clapping and singing to the music she is to busy to try to escape. Another thing she found that works.. She bought a mirror. I think you can buy them at Walmart in the car excesories and in the baby department. They attatch to the rear view mirror and my neice knows my sister can see her so she is less apt to even try getting caught. Think about it... You have a 2 year old in the back seat. He probable is on the go constantly. Being in that seat is probable next to torcher for him. I know I hate riding in the back seat makes you feel isolated from the goings on in the front seat. LOL The music really seems to work. It is geared towards the mind of a child and like I said it would stimulate his brain so that maybe he isn't bored and trying to break free.. incourage singing and claping and swaying to the music... The key is to keep his little rear end busy... And she and I both did the bag of toys... My son was an escape artist too at the same age. If I wasn't talking and keeping him busy he was out of that seat in no time....... leaning over my shoulder "HI, Mama!" GGGRRRR....

By Gammiejoan on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 09:12 pm:

Thanks to all of you. We will try your suggestions; and if none of them work, I'm all for tying him in with a rope. LOL! Just kidding! This situation is about to get the best of us, though.

By Trina on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 11:45 am:

Sorry I'm late chiming in, but I've been away on vacation. To add to the suggestions above...

- Keeping him preoccupied with toys and such will go a long way.

- Consistent discipline and teaching him how to be "safe" in the car. In our family the rule is "The car does NOT move until everyone is buckled in properly." Both my kids went through a similar stage. It was a PITB at the time but if one of them unbuckled we pulled over ASAP to re-buckle and repeated as often as necessary. Losing privileges or a lovey (in our case, special blankets) in the car worked well. Thankfully the novelty of being able to unbuckle wore off and they no longer tried it while en route. It also helped to allow them to take part in buckling and unbuckling getting in and out of the car, stressing it was OK for them to do it at those times but NOT while driving.

What type of car seat is he in? Is it an overhead shield seat or a 5 pt. harness? 5 pt. harnessed seats are generally harder to get out of because you can get a tighter fit. I agree with the 2 piece chest clip versus the paper clip style. If you purchase a new chest clip be sure to get one made by the same manufacturer as the car seat. If you cross manufacturers that *might* release them of liability if the seat doesn't function properly during a crash.

Hope this helps!

A good place to go concerning car seats and Child Passenger Safety is this Car Seat board. Many CPS techs and advocates post there and are very helpful and informative.

Car Seat Board