A good tip for kiddies that arch their backs when you go to put them in their seats is to tickle their tummies, which by the very nature makes them hunch over so you can whip their belts on. And there arent may kids that can resist a good tickle, it keeps the mood light, and can help stem the frustration of a wiggly kiddy.

Re the escaping the seatbelt while driving, I can understand the fright it must have given you, and I think your reaction was perfectly ok. I would have done the same thing, I cant imagine how scary that must have been.

I hope this helps in any way!

Hey to all of u who have replied so far, thanks so much for sharing your experiences, ideas and support.  I'm not going as crazy as I felt I was.

I told Vince about what happened when I got home and he said he would have done the exact same thing I did, but I still felt awful.  Makes me paranoid now everytime I put him in the car, what stunt is he going to pull on me this time.

My oldest son Daniel played with the seatbelt on the Auckland motorway once and swung it around cracking up laughing, Vince caught him in the act, pulled over to the side of the road, smacked him, expalined to him what he did wrong, Daniel cried, he calmed down, gave him a hug and all was forgiven but he never did it again, but Jack just doesn't listen or learn.  We've sung the Make it Click song over and over again to him to no avail, I have read the Toddler Taming book (thanks for that advice) but he may just learn the hardway (and I have no problem pulling over for 1/2 hr to read or feed the baby!!!!) until he gets the message.

So, thanks again!!!

Gaye

hi ladies and dads, I need all the help and advice you can give me.

Yesterday whilst driving home with Jack (almost 3yrs) and Maren (nearly 5mths), I glanced in the front mirror and to my absolute horror, Jack was out of his 5 point harness and standing in his carseat.  I just about sh*t myself and totally lost the plot with him and shouted at him that I was going to stop and smack him for getting out of the seatbelt.  He knows he has to have it on for safety reasons.

Yes, I feel like the world's biggest, crueliest mother on earth that I smacked my child but I was angry and also shaking. 

How does one justify this if I have a visit from the police cos someone saw me smack my child?  How would others deal with this situation?  Obviously I didn't handle the situation properly.

Please, if you have any advice, comments or otherwise, share it with me, don't be shy cos I won't be offended, I'll take on board any critisisms have, advice whatever.

Thanks, Gaye