[jalapeno]

My nearly two year old daughter sometimes does things in the car that I would ordinarily give her some sort of consequence for. I can't really put her in time out while she's in her car seat and there's obviously a timing issue if I wait until we get to where we're going. So often I'll just let things go if I can. Today she started screeching at top volume - her 10 month old brother was in the other car seat trying to sleep. Well, I don't expect to control her being loud. But we do try to keep the banshee-like screeching outside. She seems to understand when I say "use indoor screams only" and generally complies. At home we've started doing time outs when she's out of hand and it really seems to have helped. But what do I do in the car? Any ideas?

[MamaS]

When mine youngest did that, I would pull over and park and say "Mom can't drive when there is that much noise in the car. It is not safe. I am sorry but we:
a. Will be late to the birthday party, dance class, etc.
b. will be late to the store. We will have to skip the toy section since we won't have enough time.
c. Will have to go home. You can visit grandma when you can travel quietly.
Etc. etc. etc.

[McNally720]

I agree with the pulling over. For other things, I turn off her music/take away what she's playing with. It is definitely trickier in the car!

[jalapeno]

Oh thanks I'll give the pulling over a try. I don't know if she'll totally understand being 'late' yet. And I suppose it would depend on our destination. Turning off the music might help too. I wish I could take a toy or something away from her. She still tends to throw everything on the floor shortly after being put in her seat.

[atouchofheaven]

i've wondered that myself. great ideas. i have another one to add. my son is a big hitter right now, being almost 2. and for some reason he likes my husbands car better than mine. everytime he has to go in my car with me somewhere, he throws a fit, screaming, hitting, scratching. but usually, it's not an option not to go. any suggestions? how do you do a time-out or at least let him know it's unacceptable to hit even though i can't do much about it while i'm buckling him in? anyone have the same issue?

[jalapeno]

Originally Posted by atouchofheaven

i've wondered that myself. great ideas. i have another one to add. my son is a big hitter right now, being almost 2. and for some reason he likes my husbands car better than mine. everytime he has to go in my car with me somewhere, he throws a fit, screaming, hitting, scratching. but usually, it's not an option not to go. any suggestions? how do you do a time-out or at least let him know it's unacceptable to hit even though i can't do much about it while i'm buckling him in? anyone have the same issue?

My daughter's usually not too bad with the car seat issue but she'll occasionally fight me. I just have a couple of ideas to throw out. What about having special toys that your DS is only allowed to play with once strapped in to his car seat? I saw on one of the nanny shows that the nanny actually took car seats out of the car for the kids to play with in the living room - so they got to have a fun memory with them and that seemed to help. Would it be possible for your DS to get himself into his own car seat and then you strap him? The other day my DD actually climbed into her seat from over the back. I didn't plan that but saw what she was trying to do and went with it. Once she got to her seat she sat very nicely and let me strap her in. Good luck! Gotta love those almost two year olds

[atouchofheaven]

Yes, those are great ideas. unfortunately, my son is the kind of kid that is completely undistractable when he wants something or is upset. having special toys won't mean anything to him if he's not getting his own way. he would most likely chuck them at my head. and, he can't climb in the car himself because he is delayed in gross motor skills. i think he's just one of those kids that makes everything difficult. thanks for the ideas. i'm always hoping it will get better when he's two but we'll see.