Dear Mary,
I take my parents to their medical appointments and shopping every week. Lately both my parents have decided that they do not want to wear seat belts in the car. We start off fine, but then suddenly one or both will take off their seat belt. It is like a game to them, and it is “driving” me crazy. They say that they are old enough to decide if they want to wear seat belts and they seem to have decided that they both don’t want to wear them anymore. They are both very stubborn and honestly, they are acting like two year olds! What should I do?
Sandra
Hi Sandra:
Well, very simply I would tell them that if you all get into an accident and they get hurt, there are limits to how much you can help them. They may die or be so badly hurt that it may force them to sell their home and perhaps even move into a long term care home. Their childish behave should not be tolerated.
The next time they do this, I suggest that you pull over to a safe place, take the car keys with you and go for a walk. Let them sit alone in the car for a couple of minutes and think about how serious you are about protecting them. Once back from you walk, agree to start the car again on the condition that they put their seat belts back on. Each time they take them off (even on the same trip), continue to pull over, take the keys and get out of the car. It won’t take them too many “tries” to see that you are in charge of the car and that you won’t allow their silly, very unsafe game to continue.
Good luck with your two year olds (oh gosh, that’s right, they are your parents).
Mary
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