What would you do in a lesson for grandparents?

Imagine for a moment that a set of parents has come to you to ask you to work with the grandparents of their baby -- who are also part-time caregivers to the baby. The grandparents have struggled with using the infant seat (both installation and securing the child snugly) so the parents want to make sure they get all the right info when they start using the newly-purchased convertible.

What would you be sure to cover in the lesson and what would you maybe leave out in order to not overwhelm them? Should parents be in charge of monitoring and adjusting the harness, when to take out the inserts, etc or should the grandparents be taught all that? Assume that grandparents would need to be able to install/uninstall the seat from time to time.

Any tips for helping them remember the information? Or just tell then to follow the manual?

Any tips if this is not a professional lesson? Like, if it's your own in-laws and you're struggling with how to navigate their role as caregivers and their role as your in-laws?

Thanks!

PS -- Seat is a britax Roundabout and car is an '09 forester.

For my mom, I do any install (but really it's only been a 1 day thing so not leaving a seat long term. I've shown her how tight it should be, but she couldn't install on her own right now. I'd stress not using a coat in the car, how to loosen and tighten the harness (pull slack from hips, pull in back to help), and where the chest clip goes. I'd move the straps up when needed. There is plenty of time between needing to move them and they will either mention they seem to low to you or you can catch it some time. Since it's rf, there isn't a big concern about them being wrong suddenly (like if a ff rider's shoulders go above the slot that would be important right away).

MommyShannon said:

I'd move the straps up when needed. There is plenty of time between needing to move them and they will either mention they seem to low to you or you can catch it some time. Since it's rf, there isn't a big concern about them being wrong suddenly (like if a ff rider's shoulders go above the slot that would be important right away).

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This was my thinking too.

Should I teach them the seatbelt install in case they ever need to move the seat to the center or to a car without LATCH? Or should I just teach them the LATCH install and hold off on seatbelt for now?

I would say, the simpler the better. Don't show them every possible exception. If the cars they will typically use have LATCH, show them LATCH and then *mention* briefly, "if you'll ever be in an older car, call me and I'll tell you what to do." Is there a real likelihood they'll be in a pre-LATCH vehicle?

Likewise, I would cover rear-facing rules: at or below, (it's already set, so they can forget about that,) straps on the shoulders, buckle the buckle not just the chest clip, pinch test on straps, chest clip at armpit level, no bulky clothing. Maybe even give them a list of "check these five" or three or whatever: buckle buckled, straps are tight, chest clip is level. Put your DD in the seat and show them, "This is what it should look like when you ride with her."

To preserve the in-law relationship, you might consider meeting with a tech. "Hey, I heard 9/10 seats are in wrong and I'd like to make sure DD's are okay. Can you meet me at ABC Elementary at 11 on Saturday morning?" That way someone impartial is correcting them, and not just you.

I feel like all our grandparents are afraid of squishing the child by tightening the belt or pushing to snap a buckle in. Maybe tricks to tighten the harness without fear of squishing and tips on how to unbuckle it in under 10 minutes.

Nedra said:

This was my thinking too. Should I teach them the seatbelt install in case they ever need to move the seat to the center or to a car without LATCH? Or should I just teach them the LATCH install and hold off on seatbelt for now?

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Do you anticipate their needing to move it at all? If you are seeing them to drop off your daughter anytime it will be used, I probably wouldn't teach them either. I'd probably teach seatbelt install if you do see a need. I think that's generally straight forward in most cars with the RA55 (route belt through here, lock belt, put pressure on seat while pulling slack out).

Carrie_R said:

To preserve the in-law relationship, you might consider meeting with a tech. "Hey, I heard 9/10 seats are in wrong and I'd like to make sure DD's are okay. Can you meet me at ABC Elementary at 11 on Saturday morning?" That way someone impartial is correcting them, and not just you.

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I thought the same thing. My in- laws bristle easily, though, and my husband thought they'd be a little offended if we brought in a stranger to teach them -- especially since they know how much I enjoy discussing car seat safety with other people -- kinda like "oh, so you'll spend several hours helping your sister install her car seat and correcting her misuse, but with us you outsource it?"

MommyShannon said:

Do you anticipate their needing to move it at all? If you are seeing them to drop off your daughter anytime it will be used, I probably wouldn't teach them either. I'd probably teach seatbelt install if you do see a need. I think that's generally straight forward in most cars with the RA55 (route belt through here, lock belt, put pressure on seat while pulling slack out).

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We won't be there to check it everytime it gets installed/uninstalled, so I definitely want them to know how to install it at least one way. I don't really think they'll have a reason to need the seatbelt install. Maybe I'll teach them latch and then teach seatbelt after they've been using it for awhile, so as not to overwhelm them.