Trouble getting child out in car line...HELP!

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mcnealfamily

New member

• Jul 30, 2008

• #1

At our school car line the School crossing guards will open the minivan door but my twin girls have to unbuckle their car seats and get out on their own. They start school in a couple of weeks and the problem is that they are not strong enough to push the crotch button down (they can do the top no problem).

Does anyone know of a product out there that we could provide to our child when it is time to get out of the car that would help them unlatch?

Thanks

 

CTPDMom

Ambassador - CPS Technician

• Jul 30, 2008

• #2

I don't know of any product. Is it possible that you could park in the parking lot, unbuckle them and walk them up to the school door? I guess I'm not sure why the crossing guard can open the door but not push the button for them...but I know schools have weird rules these days.

 

unityco

Ambassador - CPS Technician

• Jul 30, 2008

• #3

I seem to remember reading something about using the back of a spoon... :shrug-shoulders: It was a suggestion for older arthritic people, but it might help your kids.

 

M

Mom to a few

New member

• Jul 30, 2008

• #4

My younger kids (3.5 yrs and 5.5 yrs) aren't strong enough to do it either. I just put the van in park (which is the safer thing to do anyway), twist myself around, and unbuckle them myself (the two who can't do it are both in the captain's chairs). It's not that hard for me to reach them--and their seats are pushed all the way back. It's even easier if I'm in my husband's sedan. Good luck!

 

An Aurora

Senior Community Member

• Jul 30, 2008

• #5

CTPDMom said:

I don't know of any product. Is it possible that you could park in the parking lot, unbuckle them and walk them up to the school door? I guess I'm not sure why the crossing guard can open the door but not push the button for them...but I know schools have weird rules these days.

Click to expand...

I think it's for liability reasons, so the crossing guards don't have their hands in that area.

 

MorgieBear'sMama

New member

• Jul 30, 2008

• #6

Can you rech back and unbuckle them?

That's what I do w/ my 4.5 yr old so she can get out by herself at home and I don't have to go to both sides of the van.

 

scatterbunny

New member

• Jul 30, 2008

• #7

How old, tall and heavy are the twins?

Are they both in the second row? If so, I like the previous poster's idea of twisting around and unbuckling for them. It might be a strain, but if it's doable, that's the route I'd take. Otherwise, I'd park and walk them in to school.

My last resort, if they are old enough, big enough and mature enough, would be to use boosters only for the school drop-off, but that is only if they are old enough, big enough and mature enough, and you don't mind reinstalling the harnessed seats for other car rides.

What seats are they in?

 

Victorious4

Senior Community Member

• Jul 30, 2008

• #8

I unbuckled myself to twist around & unbuckle kiddo . . . otherwise, we just left early & parked so I could walk her to the front doors.

 

bobandjess99

Senior Community Member

• Jul 30, 2008

• #9

I agree, chances are pyutting teh car in park and swiveling around, even getting up and walking back (its a minivan, right?) to unlatch their seats and then sitting back down yourself, is easiest..otherwise, parking(not in the line of course, whereever parking is allowed, a block over maybe?) and walking them to the door.
Another possibility, if money isn't a big concern, or if they are close to outgrowing their seats anyway, is to get new seats they CAN unbuckle themselves. Jenny suggested boosters, but, while that is an option, it is possible that *certain* harnessed seats might fit that bill also.
i'm not sure how old these kids are, but my dd is 3.75 years, and she got a graco nautilus (harnesses to 65 pounds, then converts to a booster) and she is completely able to unbuckle herself in *that* seat, although she can't in other seats. I have heard other people say this also, that their kids can unbuckle themselves in some seats, just not others.

 

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*Spoiledinmyhouseofblue*

New member

• Jul 30, 2008

• #10

I would just put the car in park, unbuckle myself, twist around and unbuckle them and then buckle them when that time comes.

 

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NVMBR02

New member

• Jul 30, 2008

• #11

*Spoiledinmyhouseofblue* said:

I would just put the car in park, unbuckle myself, twist around and unbuckle them and then buckle them when that time comes.

Click to expand...

This is what I would so too. It does depend on where their seats are and if you are driving a van vs. a car though.

 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus

• Jul 30, 2008

• #12

Some kids are able to learn how to do it themselves with a bit of practice. Maybe you could bring their seats into the house and supervise them practicing? My dd can only un-do her harness by using both thumbs - she's older, of course, but she's been doing it for quite a while.

 

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ginny4

New member

• Jul 30, 2008

• #13

really what is an extra 30sec when you do drop off. seriously. what is the rush. i don't/won't do it everyday as they take the bus usually but if i'm going that direction then i will drive them & i will twist around to do a quick unbuckle. no biggie.

 

M

mcnealfamily

New member

• Jul 31, 2008

• #14

Forgive me for not mentioning it, but they are located in the back bench seat of our Honda Odyssey...twins. We have a new born who is a week old who will be in the captains chair so turning around isn't an option.

I made a homemade type of device so one can unlatch herself and then undo her sisters after she is out.

 

scoutingbear

New member

• Jul 31, 2008

• #15

Here's a thought...going along with the homemade device, when ds #2 was 11 months, he managed to buckle his MA accidentally by using a sippy cup handle positioned with a good hard wack against the buckle! So, I am thinking that pretty much anything that can be used for leverage to help push the button in would work.

 

BW1426

Well-known member

• Jul 31, 2008

• #16

I'm curious, what's your homemade device?

 

Kat_Momof3

New member

• Aug 1, 2008

• #17

Im curious, too!

 

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wendy1221

New member

• Aug 1, 2008

• #18

My 4yo uses toys sometimes. Like the arm of an action figure. Maybe a Barbie would work?:ROTFLMAO: