Now that you found the perfect 2 seater kids car for your child, it’s time to plan for the day when it arrives. Between now and then, set some rules with your child about how and when to use the car. You also want to touch on what can be done to take proper care of the car. Here are four basic rules that should be part of the conversation.
The Car Can Be Used Only in Designated Areas
Decide where your child can ride the car. If you have a back yard that’s enclosed, that can be one of the designated areas. You may also decide that it’s okay for your child to use the car in the driveway. Perhaps it will also be fine to take the car along on play dates.
Setting limits on where the car can be used allows you to ensure that the child remains in a safe setting. If there’s any effort in the future to take it out of those safe places, you can decide what sort of measures are necessary.
An Adult Must Be Nearby
Adult supervision is a must in all cases. Even if your child is playing with the car in an enclosed back yard, it should still be easy for you to look out a window now and then and see what’s going on. In other words, your child is not to be far away from adult supervision at any time.
This approach helps to reinforce the understanding that the car is only to be used in designated areas. It also helps to avoid situations where your child could be in some type of danger. With you or a trusted adult nearby, there’s always someone to turn to if the need arises.
The Car Has to Go In At Night and During Bad Weather
No car for kids to drive should be left out once the day is over. Ideally, the car should be placed in the garage or a storage shed before night comes. That will protect it from the damp that often develops and prevent damage to some of the key components.
You also want your child to understand the car needs to be protected from the weather. That means it gets pulled into the garage if it’s raining or if it begins to snow. Along with extending the life of the car, you also teach your child an important lesson about taking care of personal possessions.
Use the Safety Belt
Many ride on cars include safety belts in the features. If so, make it a rule that the safety belt is to be used any time your child plays with the car. While the cars will only go so fast, this is an important measure for keeping the child safe.
This is also a chance to reinforce the rule that everyone riding in the family car secures the safety belts before the car moves. If your child gets into the habit with the ride on car, remembering to buckle up when the family goes on an outing will be a little easier.
Decide what rules will apply in your household. Make them simple to follow and easy to understand. As your child gets older, some of the rules may be relaxed or amended. In the meantime, both you and your child will know exactly what’s expected.
