Motor safety - Parenting Hub

Advice from the experts

Backseat Battles: Making Car Rides Less Chaotic

Car rides with kids can quickly turn from peaceful to pandemonium — the infamous “backseat battles.” Whether it’s sibling squabbles, boredom, or restless energy, the challenges of keeping everyone happy and calm on the road are all too real for many parents. But with a few smart strategies, you can transform your family’s car time into a more peaceful, even enjoyable experience. Here’s how to make backseat battles a thing of the past. 🚗 Why Car Rides Can Be Challenging for Kids Long periods confined to a small space can test any child’s patience. Add hunger, fatigue, or hunger into the mix, and frustration often leads to fussing or fighting. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children’s emotional regulation skills are still developing, so they may need extra support and distraction during these times. 🧩 Strategies to Reduce Chaos on the Road 1. Pack a “Travel Activity Kit” Include colouring books, sticker pads, small puzzles, or magnetic games. These engage kids without creating mess or requiring much space. 2. Use Audiobooks and Podcasts Great for all ages, stories and fun podcasts can captivate attention and reduce arguing. Options like Storynory or Circle Round are excellent for younger kids. 3. Snack Smart Bring easy-to-eat, non-messy snacks to prevent hunger-induced crankiness. Avoid sugary treats that can cause energy spikes and crashes. 4. Plan Frequent Breaks If possible, schedule stops to stretch, use the restroom, and burn off energy. Even five-minute breaks can reset moods. 5. Set Clear Expectations Before the trip, calmly explain behaviour expectations. Use positive language like “We’ll have more fun if we all stay calm and listen.” 6. Create Fun Car Games Classic games like “I Spy,” “20 Questions,” or “Would You Rather?” keep kids engaged and cooperative. 🧠 The Science of Calm Car Rides Research in Developmental Psychology shows that children’s ability to manage emotions improves with predictability and structure. Creating a familiar routine and consistent rules during car rides helps children feel secure and behave better. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bonus Tips for Parents Sources:

June 18, 2025

Surviving a Road Trip with Kids – Sanity-Saving Tips

Embarking on a road trip with children can be both an exciting adventure and a logistical challenge. Proper planning and thoughtful strategies can transform potential stress into enjoyable family memories. Here are some sanity-saving tips to ensure a smooth journey: 1. Plan Strategic Stops Regular breaks are essential to prevent restlessness. Researching non-traditional stops, such as playgrounds with restroom facilities or open grassy areas, allows children to expend energy and reduces travel fatigue. mamaworkit.com 2. Pack Engaging, Non-Digital Activities Providing a variety of screen-free entertainment options can keep children occupied and stimulate their creativity. Affordable travel toys, such as colouring books, puzzles, and activity pads, are excellent choices that require no charging and can hold a child’s attention for extended periods. parents.com 3. Prepare Snacks in Innovative Ways Offering snacks in small tackle boxes or similar containers can make eating more engaging for children and help manage portions. This method adds an element of fun to snack time and keeps the car organised. reddit.com 4. Utilise Audiobooks and Music Listening to family-friendly audiobooks or music can provide entertainment and reduce the frequency of the dreaded “Are we there yet?” question. This shared activity can also spark discussions and make the journey more enjoyable. 5. Involve Children in Trip Planning Engaging kids in selecting destinations or stops along the route can increase their excitement and investment in the trip. Providing them with a sense of control can lead to better cooperation during the journey. 6. Maintain Flexibility Being prepared to adapt plans as needed can alleviate stress. Allowing extra time for unforeseen delays or spontaneous stops can make the trip more relaxed and enjoyable for everyone. By implementing these strategies, families can transform road trips into pleasant experiences, creating lasting memories and strengthening bonds along the way. Sources:

April 2, 2025

Holiday Travel Tips for Families

The holiday season is a magical time filled with celebrations, gatherings, and the joy of being with loved ones. However, it can also be one of the busiest and most stressful periods for families planning to travel. Whether you’re heading to Grandma’s house, a tropical vacation, or a winter wonderland, thoughtful planning can help make your holiday travels smoother and more enjoyable. Here are some essential holiday travel tips for families to ensure a stress-free experience. 1. Plan Early One of the keys to successful holiday travel is planning ahead. Book your flights, accommodations, and rental cars as early as possible to secure the best rates and availability. The earlier you plan, the more options you’ll have for travel times and locations. Create a checklist of what you need to book and accomplish before the trip, including packing lists, itineraries, and travel documents. 2. Choose Your Travel Times Wisely Traveling during peak holiday times can lead to long lines and crowded airports or roads. If possible, try to schedule your travels during off-peak times. Flying on Christmas Day or the day after New Year’s, or leaving early in the morning or late at night, can help you avoid the busiest travel days. If you’re driving, consider hitting the road early in the morning or later in the evening to dodge heavy traffic. 3. Pack Smart Packing efficiently is crucial for family travel, especially when you have kids in tow. Use packing cubes or separate bags for each family member to stay organised. Make a packing list for everyone to ensure nothing gets left behind. Don’t forget to pack essentials like snacks, water bottles, toys, and comfort items (like blankets or stuffed animals) to keep children entertained during the journey. 4. Keep Essentials Accessible When traveling with kids, having essential items within easy reach can make a huge difference. Keep important documents, snacks, medications, and entertainment (like tablets or colouring books) in an easily accessible bag. If you’re flying, consider using a backpack for easy access to items during security checks and boarding. 5. Engage Kids in the Travel Process Involve your children in the travel planning process to build excitement. Discuss the travel route, the destination, and activities you have planned. Encourage them to help pack their own bags and choose a few toys or games to bring along. This engagement can help them feel more connected to the journey and reduce anxiety. 6. Embrace Flexibility Travel can be unpredictable, especially during the holidays. Flight delays, traffic jams, or last-minute changes can happen, so it’s important to stay flexible and maintain a positive attitude. Build extra time into your travel schedule to account for unexpected delays, and be prepared to adjust your plans if needed. This mindset can help reduce stress and make the journey more enjoyable. 7. Create Family Traditions Use travel time to establish fun family traditions. Whether it’s singing holiday songs, playing travel games, or sharing stories about past holidays, these activities can help create lasting memories. Consider starting a new tradition, such as a “travel journal” where each family member can write about their experiences, thoughts, and favourite moments from the trip. 8. Stay Healthy and Hydrated Travel can disrupt regular routines, so it’s essential to prioritise health during the holidays. Encourage your family to stay hydrated, eat nutritious meals, and get plenty of rest. If you’re flying, remind kids to wash their hands frequently or use hand sanitiser to prevent the spread of germs. If traveling by car, make frequent stops to stretch and enjoy some fresh air. 9. Be Mindful of Safety Ensure the safety of your family while traveling by keeping emergency contact numbers, health insurance information, and any necessary medical supplies readily available. If you’re flying, talk to your kids about airport security procedures and what to expect, helping to ease any anxiety they may have. Always keep an eye on your children in crowded places and establish meeting points in case anyone gets separated. 10. Enjoy the Journey Finally, remember that the holiday season is about creating joyful memories with your loved ones. Embrace the journey as part of your holiday experience, not just a means to an end. Take time to enjoy the sights along the way, engage in meaningful conversations, and cherish the moments spent together. The laughter, stories, and shared experiences will be what you remember most. Conclusion Holiday travel can be an exciting adventure for families, filled with opportunities to bond and create cherished memories. By planning ahead, staying organised, and embracing flexibility, you can navigate the challenges of holiday travel with ease. So pack your bags, gather your loved ones, and get ready to embark on a memorable holiday journey! Safe travels!

November 1, 2024

Transport Month and the Silent Killer Let’s Be Quick to Save Lives

The African Brain Child research group (ABC) in Paediatric Neurosurgery at the University of Cape Town found that our hospital sees some 2 000 children (age 0 -12) with head injuries annually. Road accidents account for almost 80% of severe head injuries in children at the hospital. Of children admitted after a severe TBI (traumatic brain injury) sustained as a passenger in motor vehicle accidents, 96% were not wearing a seatbelt. Statistics showed a 22.6% increase in the Western Cape’s road accident deaths for the festive season last year. According to Arrive Alive, car safety seats reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. Since 2012 over 11 500 children have been placed in car safety seats through the Car seats for kids campaign run by our partner, Wheel Well. The “Be Quick to Click Car Seat Drive 2024”, initiated by African Brain Child in partnership with Supa Quick and Wheel Well, is a call to safeguard the lives of children against traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s) – “the silent killer” – by putting more children into secure car safety seats this October, Transport Month. Anthony Figaji, Professor of Neurosurgery, South African National Research Foundation SARChI Chair of Clinical Neurosciences, and Director of African Brain Child, sees road accidents as the single biggest killer of healthy children in South Africa: “We have seen the human cost of motor vehicle accidents and TBI’s in children we have not been able to save” he says. “We have also seen those we have been able to save, but whose lives have been permanently impacted by injury that is readily preventable with the click of a seatbelt. There is an African saying that ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ It also takes one to protect it. We need to rally personal responsibility around seatbelt usage – together as society.” For children, surviving a TBI often isn’t the end of the story; emerging research shows that a single TBI may cause long term inflammation that can damage neurons for years after the injury. This means that a child suffering a TBI today may face further degeneration of their brain 20 or even 30 years from now. From gathering dust to saving lives: an urgent call for car seats Seatbelts are an essential safeguard against TBI’s for older children, but toddlers and babies need the protection of a quality car safety seat. It is illegal in South Africa for an infant (a child under 3 years) to travel without being strapped into a suitable car seat – but they can be expensive and something that many families simply can’t afford. In South Africa, most children impacted by TBI’s are from lower-income households. At the same time, many families have car seats, quickly outgrown and now unused, sitting in the garage – “we’ll get around to selling it online at some point” – that could be donated, refurbished and fitted to safeguard the life of a child. How concerned South Africans can support the Be Quick to Click campaign: Car Seat Donations: Unused car seats can be dropped off at any Supa Quick branch nationwide and Be Quick to Click will donate it to a family that needs it in October, Transport Month. The Be Quick to Click team will clean, inspect, and ensure that each seat meets the highest safety standards, before passing it on to a family in need. Car Seat Sponsorship: By making a financial contribution, individuals or companies will directly support efforts to provide safe car seats for children across South Africa. Donations will help Be Quick to Click to cover the costs of cleaning, refurbishing and certifying used car seats, or purchasing new ones, for families who need them. Every donation counts toward making our roads safer for children. Receive a Car Seat: To mark Transport Month Be Quick to Click, Supa Quick and Wheel Well will hand over donated, checked and vetted car seats to families on 26 October 2024 at Supa Quick, cnr Main & Constantia Main Rd, Plumstead, Cape Town. Any family wanting to receive a car seat can come down to Supa Quick between 9am – 12pm to receive a car seat on the day. Support Be Quick to Click: Be Quick to Click is a project of the African Brain Child Initiative to drive public awareness, both in road users and authorities, of the importance of seatbelt usage and the ready prevention of TBI’s. ABC is an internationally respected, leading research unit in traumatic brain injury in Sub-Saharan Africa. Based in the Paediatric Neurosurgery Unit at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, ABC is committed to providing advanced medical and surgical care, innovative research and promoting public awareness through social engagement. To join the drive to save lives, visit https://bequicktoclick.com/car-seat-drive/ For more information on the impact and prevention of TBI’s in children, download the Be Quick to Click Research Report here.

September 16, 2024

Travel Hacks for a Happy Holiday Season

No one wants to be bogged down by pain or fever during their holiday travels, and now, thanks to Panado®, you don’t have to be! Whether you’re jetting off on a family holiday, embarking on a road trip adventure, or simply making a quick visit to family and friends, Panado® has your back with a range of solutions for adults and children. Tips for Travel With Kids Comfortable Seating While car seats are a must for children, they are designed primarily for safety, not comfort. If you’re traveling long distances by car, ensure that your child’s car seat is properly installed and fitted,1a and that it is appropriate for their weight, and height.1b Ear Pressure Relief Children often experience earaches during plane journeys due to rapid cabin pressure changes.2a To help your child during air travel, teach them to relieve ear pressure by chewing gum or sucking on a lollipop.2b Manage Motion Sickness Motion sickness happens when our senses send conflicting signals to the brain.3a For example, when we’re in a moving car, our inner ear senses motion, but our eyes see a stationary interior, which can make the brain feel confused and lead to dizziness, nausea and vomiting, especially in children younger than age six.3b If your child gets motion sick, keep a bag handy in the car, for just in case. Talk to a doctor about remedies, consider child-sized acupressure wristbands, and encourage them to focus on objects outside the car.3c Tips for Adults for Travel Plan Ahead Planning ahead is the secret sauce to ensuring your travels are as pain-free as possible. Before you embark on your adventure, take some time to create a checklist of all your travel essentials. This checklist should include items like your passport, tickets, itinerary, and, of course, a basic first aid kit. Stay Hydrated Dehydration can be a silent troublemaker when it comes to discomfort while traveling. It can cause headaches, nausea and fatigue.4 To combat this, make sure to drink plenty of water while you’re on the move. Carry a reusable water bottle with you and aim to stay refreshed throughout your trip. Stretch Your Legs Whether you’re on a long-haul flight or a road trip across the country, taking regular breaks to stretch your legs and get your blood flowing can work wonders. Being in one position for an extended period can lead to stiffness and aches.5 Stand up, walk around, do some simple stretches – anything to keep your muscles engaged. The Paediatric Range We understand that traveling with babies, toddlers, and children can be an adventure all on its own. Panado®’s paracetamol-based infant drops, paediatric syrups, and on-the-go sachets provide soothing pain and fever relief for your little ones. Parents trust6 Panado® to be gentle on little tummies but tough on pain and fever in babies and kids.7&8 Panado®’s paediatric range includes peppermint flavoured syrup in convenient 5ml sachets, Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Strawberry (50 ml | 100 ml),9 Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Peppermint Alcohol and Sugar-Free (50 ml | 100 ml),10 and Panado® Infant Drops 20 ml.11 Always administer using a medicine measure or a syringe. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Dosage details can be found at https://panado.co.za/dosage-calculator/ and are calculated according to your child’s age and weight. The Adult Range Panado® is conveniently available in tablet12, capsule13 or effervescent14 form to suit individual preference. Panado® Tablets provide relief from pain and fever. For those seeking an alternative, Panado® Capsules offer a convenient option: the capsule shells are designed to be smoother and more slippery, making them easier to swallow – especially beneficial for individuals who struggle with tablet consumption. The tasteless and odourless nature of the capsules caters to those who find tablets’ taste or aftertaste bothersome.15 In cases where swallowing tablets or capsules poses a challenge, Panado®’s effervescent formulation serves as convenient solution.16 Panado® products are available from Baby City, Pick n Pay, Checkers including Hypers, Shoprite, Clicks, Dis-Chem and Independent Pharmacies. For more information, visit https://panado.co.za/ and join the conversations on Facebook. 2023092110313298 References: National Childbirth Trust. Guide to child car seats. Available from: https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/getting-out-about-your-baby/travelling-baby/guide-child-car-seats. Last accessed October 2023. KidsHealth. Flying and your child’s ears. Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/flying-ears.html. Last accessed September 2023. University Hospitals. How to prevent and treat car sickness in kids. Available from: https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2023/01/how-to-prevent-and-treat-car-sickness-in-kids. Last accessed September 2023. Medical News Today. Headaches, nausea, and fatigue: How are they related? Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/headache-nausea-fatigue. Last accessed September 2023. Flarin. Why do my muscles feel stiff after sitting for a while? Available from: https://flarin.co.uk/why-do-my-muscles-feel-stiff-after-sitting-for-a-while/. Last accessed September 2023. Circana, MT, July 2023 MAT. Blondell RD, Azadfard M, Wisniewski AM. Pharmacologic Therapy for Acute Pain. Am Fam Physician 2013;87(11):766-772. Prescott LF. Paracetamol: past, present, and future. Am J Ther2000;7(2):143-147. Panado® Paediatric Strawberry Approved package insert March 2002. Panado® Paediatric Syrup Alcohol and Sugar-Free & Panado® Paediatric Syrup package insert. April 2010. Panado® Infant Drops (Drops) approved professional information, August 1990. Panado® Tablets approved professional information, June 2005. Panado® Capsules approved package insert, August 1984. Panado® Effervescent (Tablet) approved professional information, July 1992. Science Direct. Capsule. Available from : https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/capsule. Last accessed October Panado website. Panado tablets effervescent 16s. Available from : https://panado.co.za/product/panado-tablets-effervescent-16s/. Last accessed October.

December 1, 2023

When is your child booster seat ready?

Determining when your child is booster seat ready can be something most parents neglect. I include myself in this… Once my eldest outgrew his toddler car seat, we invested in a booster cushion for him. He struggled with the adult safety belt in the back seat constantly moving over his neck and face which caused him discomfort. It’s something I made him live with, as there was no way I would let him sit without one. I’m a complete stiffler for kids being strapped in. I must admit, I didn’t do much research and went for the most affordable option when selecting a seat for him. As car seat safety to me meant having a seat belt on and that was it.

November 22, 2023

How to install your car seat and correctly strap in your child correctly for optimal safety

According to the law, children under the age of three have to be strapped in when travelling in vehicles on South African roads. The type of seat your child needs depends on several things, including your child’s age, size, and developmental needs. Once you’ve established what car seat you’re after though, correctly installing it and knowing how to strap in your child is the next very crucial step to securing your child’s safety when in a vehicle. According to Maxi-Cosi car seat manufacturers, their seats are among the safest you can buy, but all car seats need to be fitted and used correctly for safe travel and maximum protection. Here are their top tips for car seat safety: Install car seats correctly Baby car seats must always be rear facing. If you have ISOFIX in your car use an ISOFIX car seat, it’s easy to install the seat to the anchor points. If you don’t have ISOFIX you can use a seat belt installed car seat. Make sure you know how to guide the belt correctly and pull the car seat belt tight. Make sure the seat is locked down – a simple check is to check if the car seat is moving around a fair amount, in which case it’s not installed correctly Pull the car seat’s safety harness tight. If you can just slip one finger between the harness and your child’s chest, it’s tight enough. Read the car seat manual or watch the installation video and follow the instructions carefully. Various baby stores can also install carseats for you and check that your seat Secure your child correctly Always use a car seat, even on short trips It’s obvious, and it’s the law, but we still sometimes see children travelling without a car seat. Accidents can happen, even on the shortest trips. Use a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible It’s safest for babies and toddlers to stay in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 15 months old. It doesn’t matter if their legs stick out, but if their heads are higher than the seat shell, they need the next size. Avoid second-hand car seats You can never be sure a second-hand car seat is a safe car seat. You don’t know if it’s been damaged in an accident, or has pieces missing. Use the correct size car seat It’s best to buy a car seat for your child’s current height and weight, then buy the next size up. Avoid seats that claim to cover all ages in one. Make sure the safety harness is at the right heightThe harness should be at shoulder height. Take your child’s coat offA thick coat can make the harness less effective. If your child is cold, use their coat as a blanket over the harness. Beware of activated frontal airbagsThe safest place for a rear-facing car seat is on the back seat, passenger side. This avoids the danger of front airbags inflating against the seat. Deactivate the front airbag if you use your car seat on the passenger seat and place this seat in the rearmost position. Make sure the safety harness straps are not twisted. Keep loose items off the rear parcel shelfIn an accident, even small loose items can turn into dangerous projectiles. Tuck them away safely. Follow these tips and enjoy lots of fun, safe outings with your child.

August 21, 2022

Chicco Oasys 2-3 Evo FixPlus

Chicco, world leaders in baby travel, introduce the brand new toddler seat, the all-round, comprehensive Oasys 2-3 Evo FixPlus – perfect for the forward-facing part of your child’s car travels. Relax and #parentmore knowing your little one is as protected as can get with the rigorous safety standards that come with every Chicco car seat. Oasys 2-3 Evo FixPlus grows with your child and features a new level of safety – the new Safe Pad. The perfect booster seat for toddlers, this group 2/3 car seat is suitable for children weighing between 15 kg and 36 kg (From 3 – 12 years). Installing the Chicco child safety is easy and done in only a few steps by using your vehicle’s own 3-point belt which makes it perfectly suitable for being installed in almost every vehicle type. In order to gain even more safety and security for your child, you can attach the rigid FixPlus connectors to the Isofix-points in your vehicle. No matter when or how fast your little one grows, the Oasys 2-3 Fixplus Evo car seat always adapts perfectly to your child’s body size. Both height and width can be adjusted independently of each other by using a convenient rotary wheel. At the touch of a button, you can adjust the backrest and seat surface in four different levels until a comfortable position for your little one is created. The integrated cup holder keeps their bottle or sippy cup within arms reach for road trips. If your little one spills on the car seat, no problem! Easily remove the cover and throw it in the wash to restore its slick and pristine look. You can pick up Oasys 2-3 Evo FixPlus from Takealot, Loot, The Kid Zone, Babanino and other participating retailers now.

October 29, 2021

Child Passenger Safety

Road traffic injuries are the 4th leading cause of injury in children and account for 12% of all injuries. In 2020, 677 children were treated for traffic related injuries at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital Trauma Unit, down from 769 in 2019. Passenger injuries were 22% of traffic injuries. Of the child passengers treated, only 13% were in car seats. Most children in South Africa travel without being properly buckled up either in child safety seats or seat belts. If a child is not properly buckled up while in a car, they have a great chance of dying in the event of a collision or crash. Child safety seats and safety belts, when installed and used correctly, can prevent injuries and save lives. In the event of a car crash and there is a child standing in the car, that child can be thrown out of the car, like a missile and there is a 75% chance that the child will die! Parents and caregivers must always buckle up all children at every opportunity. ChildSafe reminds parents and caregivers of the following:

October 6, 2021

Chicco Akita Fix Air 123 Car Seat

We get asked by a lot of parents – what do we do when our baby outgrows the infant car seat that came with our Travel system? What is the best option to keep baby safe? When will we know to “upgrade” to the next level of car seat? In an ideal world, parents will only need one homologated seat that can be used from birth till your child is 12 years of age – but this is not always possible. Often, parents use previously purchased travel systems in the case of a second or third child joining the family or are using gifted items from loving friends and family. Once your baby reaches the age of approximately 9 months, they will have outgrown their infant car seat also known as group 0+ (unless you have a fully homologated option – we have a few in our range that you can research) and it will be time to transition them into a group 1/2/3 seat to ensure they are kept safe in the car. INTRODUCING THE CHICCO AKITA FIX AIR 123 CAR SEAT The Chicco Akita Fix Air 123 is a comfortable and safe solution for children that have grown out of their Gro 0+ travel system car seat and now require a front-facing car seat. Installed either with Isofix connectors or your vehicles 3-point seat belt, this seat can be used from 9 months till 12 years of age. It is imperative that the belts and headrest of the seat be perfectly adapted to your child’s size – there is no one size fits all when it comes to safety after all – but this is simply done as the Chicco Akita Fix can be adjusted simultaneously with just one movement. A seat reducer provides a supportive and comfortable cushion for smaller children. Once your child reaches the age of 4, they are considered tall enough to be buckled up with your car’s own seat belt. The built-in belt system of the child car seat can be dismantled easily – that way, the Chicco Akita Fix can be transformed into a group 2/3 child car seat in no time at all. To ensure the best possible positioning of the lap belt, an additional belt positioner forms part of this versatile seat. Equipped with a side impact protection system for maximum protection, the comfy and elegant Chicco Akita Fix will convince the whole family and remain a loyal companion – for many years. Get yours from any participating baby outlet for R5499.99. For more information head to www.chicco.co.za

August 24, 2021

Micro-holidaying in the Kia Pegas 

Armed with the new Kia Pegas, Calvin Fisher folded his squad of five humans aboard and set off on an overnight escape Pandemics, unrest, lockdowns and load-shedding… 2021 has truly lived up to the old Hollywood adage that sequels seldom improve upon the original. Memories of a world only slightly on fire in 2020 fresh in our minds, I surveyed my family of five, war-torn and weather-beaten, before deciding upon a night of respite. They say change is as good as a holiday but I say a change of scenery is exactly a holiday. So I took to the Internet to browse for an escape. My quest was to find us a night away far from the northern suburbs of Cape Town we call home and found a gem in the coastal town of Fish Hoek just 45 km away. What inspired this? Perhaps the aforementioned factors, but more likely the fact that in my possession I had the keys to a brand-new Kia Pegas compact sedan with a full tank of 95-octane. A sedan man goes on holiday I’m 43 years old, so naturally I grew up on the back seat of a sedan. My formative years were spent on sunny drives to Simons Town, False Bay and, if we were feeling particularly adventurous, as far Durban. The time was spent arguing with my siblings, passing out from beach fatigue and waking up with sticky fingers and cheeks. Despite a glut of SUVs, the idea of loading up a three-box saloon, albeit a compact one, still appeals to me. So there we were, my macro-sized brood loading up a micro-ish sedan about to set off on a micro holiday and that meant folding and piling an array of overnight bags, clothing, snacks and board games into the ample 475-litre boot. Sadly, this meant saying ‘see you tomorrow’ to our Staffies, who had already made themselves at home on the rubberized boot inlay. With our luggage easily gobbled up, it is worth having a conversation about space. The Kia Pegas competes in price with the likes of the Honda Amaze and Suzuki Dezire, but those are tiny things based upon even tinier hatchbacks. In reality, the dimensions of the Pegas, at 4.3 metres long, is more akin to the likes of the VW Polo and Ford Figo sedans, but with more cohesive styling and dimensions. In fact, bugger cohesion, I think the styling is great – sharp and purposeful and with all the design cues intact that make Kia cars so desirable. It closely resembles the Rio Sedan and retains that larger-sedan feel thanks to copious legroom fore and aft derived from a longer wheelbase. It’s capacious, with the three large sprogs comfortably seated behind my wife and I, also quite comfy in the front. A lot can happen in 45 km I’m lucky to report that they all share my choice in music so thanks to Android Auto, we were soon blasting along to ‘70s rock ballads, as one does on a road trip. Well, my household does. Also a perk of the infotainment system’s standard screen-mirroring is the fact that it perfectly integrates with my smartphone’s navigation so there we were, enjoying a well-laid out route to Fish Hoek on the 7-inch touchscreen, with the added benefit of voice recognition for calling out our favourite tracks. Apparently, my propensity for Fleetwood Mac songs was something that needed to be addressed – but that’s for a separate column. And, besides, there was always the steering wheel controls if I felt like overriding their choices. The helm is covered in leather, the seats in artificial leather for easy cleaning because look, I don’t make a habit of eating in cars, but this was a holiday ‘thang’. And the best bagel in the Cape was on our route. A discussion on power The ‘EX’ trim Pegas I had under me is powered by a 1.4 MPI engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. This makes for mild performance to the tune of 69 kW and 132 Nm, good for a max speed of 170 km/h, but we won’t be trying to achieve that today – rather, taking in the view of False Bay. Now, I realise that if one lives at high altitude, the Reef air might stifle that performance but here at the coast the little four-pot revved cleanly. Gear changes were sharp and satisfying, and the overall demeanour and ride were unfussy, and honest. Like a good car should do. A delightful climax The driveway to our accommodation was steep and winding, the little engine making a strong case for itself, and impressing its driver one final time as it effortlessly dispatched the climb. The boot was easily unloaded and I was left to take in the gorgeous sunset views from Simons Town to Kalk Bay, the smells of the sea air and the good vibes that came with escaping a tedious time with my favourite people. Here’s the thing: my last trip on the back seat of my dad’s sedan was a terribly long time ago. He passed away when I was just 14 years old. This might sound corny, but nothing makes me feel closer to him than my own adventures with my wife and sons. And I’m truly grateful for that. It seems that sedans are still ripe for making memories.

August 23, 2021

Chicco Unico Air Car Seat

Purchasing a safe car seat is one of the most important decisions a parent makes long before their precious little one even joins the family. There are many options on the market and the information overload can be supremely overwhelming. The Chicco Unico Plus Air is a super seat that is suitable for us from birth till 12 years of age making it a highly cost-effective choice for parents. There is a reason this car seat is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by over 94 reviewers internationally! The Unico Plus is now a part of the “Air” family making it more breathable and well ventilated – perfect for South Africa’s warm climate! Easy installation either by Isofix or your vehicles 3-point belt A padded reducer provides additional protection for your tiny newborn Side Safety System – ensuring best practice in case of lateral impacts The Unico Plus Air can be purchased at participating baby outlets for R4999.99 – a great investment in your little one’s well-being. For more information head to www.chicco.co.za

August 19, 2021

Chicco Oasys Group 2-3 FixPlus Car seat

Did you know that every child under 1.5m tall (between 10 and 12 years old) needs some form of support to survive a crash? It’s a sobering thought, isn’t it? This means that your little one will need to travel in a car seat until they are 12 years old in order to be fully safe should the unthinkable happen. WHAT SEAT DO I USE ONCE MY BABY HAS OUTGROWN THEIR GROUP 0/1 SEAT? The Chicco Oasys 2-3 Evo FixPlus is a car safety seat that grows with your child and it now features a new level of safety – the new Safe Pad. This makes this seat the perfect seat to transition to once your little one hits the scale at 15kg (around 3 years of age) to 36kg (around 12 years of age). Installation of this seat can be completed in a few easy steps either by using the vehicles own 3-point belt or by attaching the rigid FixPlus to the Isofix-points. No matter how fast your little one grows, the Oasys 2-3 Fixplus Evo car seat always adapts perfectly to your child’s body size, as both height and width can be adjusted independently of each other by using a convenient rotary wheel. At the touch of a button, you can adjust the backrest and seat surface in four different levels until a comfortable position for your little one is created. The integrated cup holder keeps refreshing beverages safe and easy to reach – because juice and snacks are what gets us though those long trips, right folks? Just in case your little crumb-snatcher spills something by accident, you can easily remove and wash the easy-to-clean cover – winning! From only R4499.99, you can rest easy knowing your little one is safe and sound in the Chicco Oasys Group 2-3 FixPlus car seat! For more information head to www.chicco.co.za

August 12, 2021

Chicco Seat4Fix Air

Whether you’re expecting your very first baby or shopping for a lively toddler, every Chicco car seat is engineered for comfort, safety, and peace of mind. World-class innovation and user-friendly touchpoints make Chicco car seats reassuringly easy to install, making every ride that much safer. If it is versatility you’re looking for – look no further than the Chicco Seat4Fix Air Group 0/1/2/3 Car seat! This car seat is suitable for us in all 4 stages of your little one’s life – from birth all the way to 36kg and comes with all the bells and whistles. This seat provides comfortable and secured seating in both the rear and front facing position, thanks to its unique rotating base. With 3 available recline positions this seat ensures your little one is comfy – even on those extended trips! Breathable fabric allowing for more comfort whilst in the seat UV canopy Durable shell with additional, removable Side Safety System ensuring exceptional protection in case of a side impact. Soft padded headrest 5 point harness – which adjust easily as your little one grows What more does one need? From R6999.99 this superb car seat can be purchased from participating Baby outlets. For more information head to www.chicco.co.za

August 6, 2021

Kaily car seat incl Base

When it comes to your little one’s safety, the absolute first item to consider when it comes to transporting your baby is a suitable car seat! The fact is that when your baby is correctly strapped into their car seat their risk of dying in a car accident decreases. WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN INFANT CAR SEAT? Rear Facing Bucket shaped with the handle Installed Base for easier transitions The Chicco Kaily car seat is a new Group 0+ car seat that is homologated for babies up to 13kgs. It really is the perfect ally for little ones who will be rear facing for the first few years of their lives. The base is installed with your vehicles seatbelts, which allows the seat to click into the base, providing a sophisticated and easy travel experience – the less times we wake a sleeping baby the better! This car seat is compatible with several of our Chicco strollers allowing for a versatile travel system solution. From R3999.99 at participating outlets, the Kaily car seat is a safe and reliable choice for travel with your most loved treasure – your little one!

July 26, 2021

Chicco We Black Travel System : Stroller & Car Seat Combo

At Chicco we understand that choosing a travel system for your precious bundle of joy is stressful! That’s why we take the stress out of the decision by offering you well rounded travel system options. The We Travel system is new to South Africa and is super stylish with leather details. The We stroller and Car Seat combo will ensure your little one is transported safely from birth to 15kgs. Super lightweight (no more breaking your back getting either the car seat or the stroller in and out your vehicle) the buggy-style travel solution is perfect for parents who like to be on the move. The stroller folds neatly and compactly and is capable of full recline. It is fitted with a UV50+ large canopy which keeps your little one protected from the elements. Matched with the Kaily car seat – Gro 0+, you now have the perfect travel system. The Kaily car seat comes with a base that is easily installed with seat belts, so that it remains in your vehicle, making transitions much easier – especially if your little one is napping. From only R9 999.99, this all-around lightweight travel system will fit perfectly into your new life as parents! More information can be found at www.chiccco.co.za

July 14, 2021

Babywearing is NOT an alternative to a car seat

I am a huge advocate of babywearing. Be absolutely clear though – babywearing is not an alternative to using a car seat. While babywearing brands and consultants are very clear that wearing a baby in a car isn’t safe, there are those that don’t know this. So I am adding my voice to theirs in getting this message across. The benefits for baby and the baby wearer are numerous. Keeping baby close and secure is the best thing for baby’s development and babywearing allows you to carry on with normal day to day life. Kangaroo care, babywearing, in public hospitals has proven to help premature babies to thrive. I can understand the temptation to keep baby wrapped close to you at all times because of these benefits. But the dynamics of a car accident don’t change. A baby or child between an adult body and a seatbelt will be crushed to death. Most parents understand that it is never safe to hold a baby or child in your arms or on your lap in a car. Physics research has shown that passengers have less than half a second to react in a crash or even if the driver has to slam on brakes. When a car crashes or suddenly stops, the body takes on the weight of the speed you were travelling multiplied by the actual weight. So while anybody could hold onto something weighing 5kgs… If your baby weighs 5 kg, and you crash at only 60km per hour, your baby weighs 300kg. Nobody can hold onto something weighing 300kgs. Some people believe that wearing a seatbelt over them and their child solves this. The sad fact is… In a crash, your baby or child would be crushed to death between the seatbelt and your body. The force against your baby is roughly that of 30 adults, each weighing 50 kgs, standing on top of your child. 1500kgs… An entire rugby team or the weight of your average car… The wrap or sling won’t make a difference at all in this equation. It will be holding your baby in place between you and that seat belt. Car seats are expensive. They are a pain to move in and out of a car. Car seats are awkward to carry. They can wreak havoc on your back, neck and shoulders. Unwrapping a finally-sleeping baby from babywearing and transferring them into a car seat… Easily equated with disarming a bomb… On a rollercoaster… With both arms tied behind your back. It is a pain. You are tired and sore and you just want to get yourself and your baby… and probably your other kids too… home in the fastest, least traumatic way possible. I feel you mommy. Really I do. I know that overwhelmed feeling oh so well. I’m a mommy. I am a mommy of a toddler. Who still rear-faces, and will until her car seat doesnt’ allow it anymore around 25kgs. I have had to transfer her sleep-heavy little body to her car seat http://www.health4life.net/ drugstore in the rain after a month of sleepless nights. I have faced the consequences of that transfer waking her… Her screaming while the tears pour down my face as I drove home. What I haven’t had to do is face the consequences of not making that choice. I have talked to and listened to and cried with mommies who have though. This mommy lost her baby in a 2 block car trip. It isn’t worth it. Babywearing is wonderful. It is a tradition that has been around for thousands of years. African mommies have been wearing babies for as long as we have records. Daddies, grandparents, even older siblings can now use babywearing to bond with the babies in their world. Wear your baby! Keep them close to you, safe and warm. You are doing the best you can for your baby. And when it comes time to get into the car, transfer them to their car seat. Just as you are designed to hold and support your baby; a car seat is designed to hold and support your baby in a car. The materials used are chosen and tested to make sure that your little one is completely surrounded by protection in the case of a crash. #CarseatFullstop. Every child. Every time. No matter what. One share, seen by one person, who straps in one child, saves a life.

July 10, 2020

How far would you go for a child’s safety?

In the same way that I hate being told what to do, I hate telling other people what to do. Parenting is hard enough without people making judgements about our parenting choices. BUT, there is one notable exception, and that’s when it comes to a child’s safety. If you choose to feed your kid from the boob or with formula, I don’t care because either way your little one is getting fed. If you choose to have a nanny or send your kid to creche, that’s also your choice and I have nothing to add to the conversation. However, if a child is in danger, we all have a responsibility to speak up. The world is full of scary things that threaten your child’s safety I recently saw a video where a little one was almost taken, just a couple steps away from her mom… Or how about the uproar about the Stanford rape case? Babies can get sick and end up in the NICU, a place I hope Harley never ends up in again. Sometimes, there’s nothing we can do to prevent the horrors – it comes down to luck. However, when you get in a car, there is something you can do for your child’s safety… And a frighteningly small percentage of parents do it. I remember the weeks leading up to when we brought Harley home. I kept hoping for her to gain the weight, to be ready to come home, but it didn’t feel quite real. Because she had come so early, Dean and I hadn’t even gotten around to getting her two most important things – her cot and her car seat. I had done my research and I knew exactly what I wanted; the car seat we ended up purchasing is so safe that it claims our car can roll (knock on wood that never happens) and she would still be totally fine and protected. It was only when we bought both her travel system and her camping cot that it felt real that she’d be coming home. We had a way to transport her and a place for her to sleep. South African Statistics around your child’s safety The hospital had a rule that you couldn’t take a baby home without a car seat. I sort of laughed at the time – I mean, obviously, right? Well, not so obviously. According to some scary statistics, less than 7% of babies are in car seats in South Africa. That means a whopping 93% aren’t. When you consider that car seats reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71% in infants and 54% in toddlers… Those are some scary, scary numbers. Thinking of the ridiculous number of accidents that occur every day on our roads, in particular over long weekends or major holidays, it’s actually terrifying to think how many tiny lives are in danger for absolutely no reason. The cost of a car seat Yes, I know, some of you will tell me that there are people who can’t afford car seats, and you’re absolutely right. That’s why there are organizations like Wheel Well which runs a campaign around car seats. That’s right, any old car seat you have can be refurbished and donated to a family in need… Helping them take care of their child’s safety even if they don’t have the funds. But sadly, those aren’t the babies I see most often unrestrained. No, I’m talking about the little ones I see, being dropped off at the nearby schools and creches, the ones driving in Polos or Subarus or Land Rovers or Porsche Cayennes. I see their children standing on the back seats, hanging limbs out of windows, or even climbing into the front of the car. It isn’t due to hardship that these parents aren’t restraining their tiny people, it’s out of negligence. Maybe the kid screams in the car seat, or maybe they figure it’s just a quick trip and everything will be fine. How devastating would it be, then, if that quick trip ended in tragedy, a tragedy that could be avoided. I’m lucky – Harley adores her car seat. She happily goes into it, sometimes just giving a wriggle when I strap her in, and then usually falls asleep during the drive – even if it’s just down the road. She faces backwards, and I’m starting to notice her feet are actually touching the backrest of the backseat. Cool for her, she’s getting taller. But that doesn’t mean she’s getting turned around anytime soon. The reality is, we never know when we could be in an accident It could be a distracted driver on his phone in rush hour traffic while we go fetch Dean in the afternoon, it could be a still-drunk driver on a Saturday morning when we head to Pretoria to see my beautician, it could be due to random glare from headlights late at night driving back from a braai with friends. I consider myself a careful driver; I have never been in an accident. But that doesn’t mean I never will. It’s scary and awful to imagine. Maybe you don’t have a kid, or maybe you always strap yours in. But based on the stats, you know at least one person who doesn’t. You don’t have to explain to them how horrifying it is when a baby is thrown from a car. You don’t have to be “that” friend who lectures them. Simply share these #CarseatFullstop posts when you see them and think more about a child’s safety. Are you following? To make sure you don’t miss any of these posts, be sure to join the #CarseatFullstop Facebook group or follow #CarseatFullstop on Facebook, twitter and Instagram. And a huge shoutout to local mom, blogger, brain and words behind Pregnant in Cape Town and Tums 2 Tots Online, and generally awesome lady Mandy Lee Miller, for campaigning for your child’s safety. She has so much passion for the project and truly puts it in the best words: About the Author Zoe is a rockstar geeky mom to a gorgeous

July 3, 2020

11 Common Car Seat Mistakes

Car crashes remain one of the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children under 14 in South Africa. No doubt, in part, because 4 out of 5 car seats are used incorrectly… And nearly a third of children ride in incorrect restraints for the size and age. Those are a whole lot of car seat mistakes!

June 26, 2020

5 tips to distract baby in the car

Hands up if your boobs leak when you hear a crying baby? If your mind goes blank? You grit your teeth while trying to talk sweetly, over the loud screams? Your breath quickens, and little creatures feel like they are moving around under your clothes? While you try aimlessly to distract baby, whose eyes are probably closed anyway. (You can put your hands down now.)

June 19, 2020

5 questions when buying a second hand car seat

We are buying a second hand car seat. But unlike last time and the abandoned (money) seat in the garage, I am not going in blind… I’ve been armed with questions from #CarseatFullstop and intend not to come home with a denim covered car seat of unknown origins.

June 12, 2020

Addressing rear-facing concerns with science

I am a careful driver. I don’t have any history of accidents, whether from my own doing or anyone else’s. But I also don’t have any illusions – almost every other day I have some kind of close call situation. There are always people who don’t look before driving… Or change lanes without checking their blind spots… Or who reverse out of a parking spot without checking. Sometimes, I’m even guilty of those things and only remain accident-free thanks to good luck and quick reflexes. With Harley along for the ride, I’m even more aware of the risks, and the importance of car seats, particularly rear-facing car seats. But there were some rear-facing concerns that arose.

May 22, 2020

So what do you look for when selecting an infant seat?

When it comes to investing in items for your kids, it’s important to remember that all our needs are different. The items we choose are dependent on our lifestyle, our financial situations and what’s best for baby. When choosing an infant seat, find a reputable brand that you can trust, that has the highest level of safety… A seat that’s functional and comfortable for your child considering that they spend quite a chunk of their lives in various seats.

May 15, 2020

Breaking down the cost of car seats

Car seats are expensive. Better car seats are more expensive. The cost of car seats is a common debate, even though in the end it isn’t really relevant. The safest car seat for you is the best one you can afford that installs safely in your car and matches the weight, height and age needs of your child.

May 8, 2020

How To Use a Car Seat Harness Correctly

It’s Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week and I have decided to talk a little about the car seat harness. The car seat harness holds a child down in the car seat so they cannot slide up, forward and out the car seat in the event of a crash.

December 9, 2019

Tips for Travelling with Your Toddler

My husband and I travelled with our two-year-old on a long-haul flight to London. Having bought a seat for our restless bundle of energy was, in our case, the best thing ever. Eleven hours plus on our laps would have been too much to handle. We very quickly learnt what to do and what NOT to do.

July 19, 2019

Best tips for travelling while pregnant

The truth is that a woman should not travel much when pregnant. It is time to stay close to home for maximum rest and mild exercise. However, traveling could be inevitable during pregnancy. Whether it is a one-time trip or regular travel at this delicate time for a woman, maximum caution will prevent numerous health and psychological problems. There are many publications that advise pregnant women on how to travel while pregnant. Some are helpful while others are not. It is up to you to obtain the information from reliable sources. Below are some of the most helpful tips for traveling while pregnant. Choose an Ideal Destination If it is possible to choose the destination, make numerous considerations before settling on one. Choosing a place to visit with favourable weather, excellent health facilities and clean accommodations is recommended. Countries with violence and a high crime rate should be avoided by all means. The Right Timing If it is possible, do not travel when the baby is almost due. You need time to settle down and identify the right health centres in the country where you plan to deliver. If you are traveling for a holiday, do it when the pregnancy is still in its early stages. The best time is before six months. Health experts discourage pregnant women from being tourists after six months of pregnancy; they need to be near home during this time. Pack Lightly A lot of luggage is not recommended especially if one is traveling alone. Since traveling while pregnant is mostly done out of necessity, do not bring more than is needed. Only pack the crucial things that you will use during your brief travel. Luckily, pregnant women wear light clothes, which do not take up much space. Shoes should also be light, and a few pairs will be enough for the trip. Choose Your Flight Seat Carefully We must all agree that traveling when pregnant is the most uncomfortable time to travel. One cannot sit for long before standing up to stretch or go to the washroom. It is important to pick an aisle seat that allows some freedom of movement. Most airlines usually assist pregnant women in finding an aisle seat rather than squeezing them between people, where they cannot even stretch their legs. Have a Snack and Water It may be difficult to readily find a healthy snack or juice during the journey. Even though flights offer snacks and water, these may not be what you are looking for. Carrying them with you is a better option for any pregnant women out there. It is easy to pack a snack or a healthy drink, and most flights will not have a problem with this. If drinks are not allowed through airport security, the airport will have a variety of healthy drinks for sale. Plan for the right time to eat your snack to avoid becoming too hungry. This may be earlier than the flight meals since a pregnant woman needs to have her energy up at all times. With these tips, traveling will be fun rather than a source of strain for a pregnant woman.

November 26, 2018

How to keep the kids entertained on a long car trip

Long car trips are part of the activity of modern families today. Many are investing their time and money in buying cars with higher mileage per gallon so they can go wherever they want. Families take long car trips once in a while because it gives them the opportunity to explore the world outside of their homes. With on long car trips, parents can get a chance to teach their children the things they only see in their books or gadgets. Also, it gives the families an opportunity to commune with nature. Parents and kids get a chance to breathe fresh air, refresh their eyes, and have some exercise. Long car trips can release the stress that family members feel from long days of work. It is an excellent opportunity to take a break from the routine you have at home or office. Lastly, long car trips enable one to bond with the family, especially for parents who spend the majority of their time at work. Indeed, family car journeys are fantastic. However, it can make your kids go wild, irritated, and bored. For sure, you don’t like it when your kids have tantrums because it will only make the adventures turn into chaos. We will discuss the tips on how to keep the kids entertained in this article, especially on a long car trip. Play Their Favorite Movies One tip to prevent your kids from getting bored is to play their favorite films in the car. Some cars today are pre-installed with a television screen, and you can opt for this one. You can also bring a portable DVD player or laptop with you and always make sure that you have backup power in case your gadgets drain its batteries. Also, bring Bluetooth enabled speakers so everyone can hear audibly the movie they’re watching. Carry Sweet Treats Always Sweet treats is a must-have on every trip! Surely, your kids will feel pampered during the ride while eating their favorite food. Bring with you your kids’ favorite delights such as the following: Chocolate bars Gummy bears Cupcakes Wafers Marshmallows Chocolate/ Milk drinks Chips and other snacks Listen To Audiobook Stories Tired of telling stories to your kids? Don’t worry; you can play audiobooks instead. You can download various audiobooks available on the internet today and save it on your gadget. Then, you can just plug your device into the car’s sound system and make your kids listen to the stories. Audiobooks will make your kids’ imagination run wild. Engage In Digital Games Bring with you your iPads or smartphones and install it with offline games which your children can play. There are various offline games that are available in App Store or Play Store. Capture An Image With A Polaroid To develop your kid’s full potential in photography, you can give them your instant camera or any other available cameras with you. Let them take pictures of anything they see during the trip, and you can soon compile it and post in a scrapbook. Bring Their Favorite Toys If your kids get tired of playing with e-games, let them enjoy their toys. Some of it is loom bands, stuffed toys, doll house, balls, robots, and others. Let Them Draw Invite your kids to practice their handwriting or drawing by giving them a whiteboard or coloring books, colored pens, and eraser. For example, you can ask them to draw your face or their siblings’ faces. Sing A Song Bring a guitar with you and play your kids’ favorite song. Better yet, you can just play a song using the car’s sound system or sing in acapella. Invite your kids to join so they’ll feel at ease during the trip. Play Various Games Lastly, devise multiple games for your kids and be as creative as you can be. Here are some of the games that you can try: The License plate game – Each time your kids spot a car, check its plate number and ask them to give a meaning for it. For example, OEF means ‘Onion Eating Fanatic.’ Map the destination – Print a map of your destination and hand it to your kids. Let them mark the cities you’ve passed by so you let them have something to do in the backseat. Animal spotting – Ask your kids to spot and name animals on the road. Conclusion In sum, it is essential to make your kids safe and calm during the entire trip so you as a parent can have peace of mind too. Meanwhile, it is recommended to supervise your kids in whatever activities you let them do during the trip. After all, we want them to learn and have fun after the stress and hassles of the real world. Oftentimes, the road can become very unsafe especially when you have kids travelling with you. If you and your kids are involved in car accidents and have incurred personal injuries, you can check this website to learn more on what you should and should not do during this kind of situation. About The Author Annie Gray writes topics on law subjects that can help the common reader understand them better. She keeps herself fit and healthy by jogging during her free time.

November 15, 2018

Carseat battles

Many children fuss when placed into a car seat. If you had just found your feet and was relishing in your new found independence so would you! Children hate being restrained but this is one battle you must win! There are no if’s and but’s in this. It is scary to drive past parents and they are strapped in but their precious child is loose at the back of the car roaming around the open space. Not a good idea! There are enough demos of what happens to children when involved in an accident to place a very real fear in you. Rather have a screaming toddler than one you are not going to hear ever again. Fortunately if you persist they will get the message in the end and resign themselves to the car seat. Here are some tips that may help: Make sure your child is comfortable, the straps must be firm but not too tight. Make sure the car seat is big enough. Toddlers grow so fast. Instead of announcing that you are going to strap her in, try and distract her by pointing to something outside or talk about going to the shops. Put on her favourite CD. Keep some car toys that only get seen when you go out in the car. Attach them with a shoelace to her seat so that you don’t add to the stress of losing a toy. As you get in the car, say something like “Mommy’s buckled up as well.” Lead by example. If she wriggles out of the belt use an old fashioned nappy pin to secure your little one in. Allow no exceptions!

September 14, 2018

Cosatto Zoomi

Cosatto has been saving the world from boring baby stuff with the coolest designs, funkiest concepts and all-round impeccable styling, making motherhood an aspirational time for many customers. The Zoomi Exclusive 5 Point Plus Anti-Escape System harness keeps children safer than conventional car seats and has been tested for the 9-36kg weight category, approximately 9 months to 12 years of age. Removable, washable covers keep the gorgeous fabrics of these car seats pristine – and you wouldn’t want it any other way when you see the designs. Retailing at approximately R5000, the Cosatto ranges are higher-end, stylish and exclusive and are available now at Hamleys stores, www.cleverlittlemonkey.co.za, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.thebabyzone.co.za, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za and www.purplepepperz.com

August 22, 2018

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