It’s hard to believe I’ve got a tween already, with another coming up right behind him. The days of buckling everyone into their seats before we can leave are fading quickly, but that means our big kids are responsible for buckling and staying buckled.
Evan grew quickly, so he was out of his booster earlier than expected – definitely earlier than Brianna. She still fits into her booster, which is a good time to practice good seat belt habits. As kids get older, they want to stretch that independence, and sometimes that leads to skipped buckling. We all know this scene…
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gvyyvfe2k8&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
Not only is it important to keep your kiddos in a booster until they are safe without one, but they need to be safe with their belts, too. Because unbuckled passenger deaths are happening more often with kids in their early teens as parents get lax about belt rules! The #kidsbuckleup campaign points out a few other habits to build:
– The lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach.
– The shoulder belt should lie snug across the shoulder and chest, and not cross the neck or face.
– Never let a child put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind the back, because it could cause severe injuries in a crash. (I have a friend who’s nephew was paralyzed from the ribs down doing this precise thing. Do NOT risk it!)
– Keep your child in the back seat when possible, because it is safer there.
It’s a team effort between parent and kiddo to make sure everyone is belted safely. They’re growing up every day, and cementing these habits in as tweens can help them make better decisions as (gasp!) teens. Parent, you do so much to set a good example and make sure your kids are following your expectations!
So we are giving away a $100 Amazon gift card as part of the #kidsbuckleup campaign, since it can be a battle. You have earned it! Enter, share, and spread the word. Buckling up isn’t optional!
