Getting your child to accept a car seat, even if they're older, is about making it theirs, making it part of the routine and not frightening or threatening them with horror stories. Children respond really well to calm explanation and the odd treat or two!
Here are our top tips on how to encourage your child to accept and use their new car seat:
Explain why calmly - Explain to your older children why they need to sit in the seat. Don't frighten them with horror stories explain to them logically and calmly that it will help them be safe. That it will stop them bumping their head or hurting their legs if there's a sudden stop.
Routine - Simply make it part of the 'getting in car' routine. Children like routine and repetition, it makes them feel secure, and simply treating it as something normal and unsurprising will help them get in the seat without thinking about it. Make it a fun checklist, "Daddy seat belt - check! Mummy seat belt - check!".
Travel treats - Put together a special 'travel pack' that goes with the seat. Put a drink, a book, soft toys and a puzzle book or whatever your child enjoys playing with on car journeys.
Name it! - Get your child to name the seat! He will be happier to sit on 'Henry' the seat if it's a name he has chosen.
You can find even more about car seats and car seat safety in our new
car seat section
