You probably spend plenty of time in the car, but your kids do too! From driving back and forth to school to running errands, going on road trips, and dropping them off at daycare, children of all ages spend a lot of time sitting in a car seat.
With so much time spent in the car, it’s normal for children to get upset from time to time. Whether you have a baby who starts crying, you have a toddler who is having a tantrum, or you have school-aged children who are fighting, these tips will help you deal with your child when they are upset.
Make Sure They Are Comfortable
One of the main reasons why children get upset in the car, especially young children and babies, is discomfort. You may be able to keep your child from screaming and crying by making sure they are comfortable.
That means seating your child in a properly adjusted car seat and not switching to a booster seat until your child is truly ready, but it also means making sure your child is dressed for the trip. Dress them in layers so they can be removed as the car heats up in the winter, and consider giving them a blanket if you will be running the air conditioner in the summer. Keep the sun at bay with window visors and make sure your child has something to eat or drink on long trips.
Give Them Something to Do
Sitting in the car can get boring, even on short trips if your child is used to being in the car during the day. If they regularly get upset or they complain of being bored, give them something to do.
Young children would love a travel toy that they can only play with in the car. For an even bigger impact, let them open a brand new toy before a long trip and they will be distracted in the car for a good chunk of time.
If you have an older child, don’t feel bad about giving them a tablet to help them pass the time. Movies are a great way to keep them calm on long road trips, while educational apps can be a great way to keep them entertained while driving around town.
Play a Car Game
Tablets and toys will only get you so far. If you’ve got a child who seems upset, try having a little fun in the car by playing a car game together! A few fun road trip games you can play include:
- The Alphabet Game
- Car Bingo
- License Plate From Every State
- 20 Questions
- Cow on My Side
Playing music and singing songs are great ways to have fun in the car together, even if you’re behind the wheel and your child is in the backseat. Let older kids share their favorite songs with you, sing classics with young children in the car, or create a playlist of songs that are fun for everyone to sing along to.
Give Plenty of Attention When They Are Calm
Your child requires attention if they are having a tantrum in the backseat, but don’t make the mistake of only giving them attention when they act out. If you’re quiet when they are good, they will start acting out to get your attention. Give them positive attention to help reduce behavior problems from occurring in the first place.
Ask them to play a game, talk about school, or surprise them with ice cream. The more you encourage good behavior, the more likely they are to stay calm in the car.
Pull Over
If you have a baby who won’t calm down or a child who is inconsolably upset, it’s a good idea to pull over the car. Not only is it the safest response, as driving with a wailing child in the backseat can be dangerous, but it allows you to connect with your child.
When you pull over, you can give yourself a chance to take a few deep breaths. Then, you can open the door to the backseat, make eye contact, acknowledge how your child feels, and work together to solve the problem. Sometimes a child just needs a hug and a baby may just need some snuggles!
Kids are going to get upset in the car. Having some strategies in your back pocket to keep them calm on the road can not only help them, but they can keep you sane behind the wheel too!
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