Reader Questions: Train Travel With An Active Toddler
I recently received email from Meg who often rides the train with her active two year old and is looking for a way to secure him in his seat like she would on an airplane.
Hello. I travel by rail with my son frequently. Now that he is an "active" toddler, I find it very stressful to take trips by train. My son never sits still and I spend the entire trip making sure that he is out of the aisle, not bothering other customers, or hurting himself. There isn't any restraint system and taking the car seat isn't an option when travelling alone. I see that there is such a restraint for the airplane but can't find one that would work on the train. Do you or other readers know of any restraint system that might work on the train where there aren't any seatbelts. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Here is my response:
Meg,
This is tricky. On the upside, we find train travel much easier overall than flying. There is more space to move and less security and waiting time at the station. One of the downsides is the inability to keep your child safe by securing them with a seatbelt. Having a child wandering around on a (sometimes) lurching train isn't great, even if the cabin was empty of other passengers.
I emailed Louise Stoll, the creator of the CARES Airplane Harness, and she confirmed that CARES works only with a lap belt.
The train situation is of course tricky, because CARES works with a lap belt and trains (and busses) don't have lap belts at all – and obviously should! When you read about the occasional serious passenger train crash there are always lots of deaths because the cars derail – and the people are knocked about (rather than crushed) because they are not seat belted in. Seat-belts (and CARES for the kids) would definitely save lives.
Here are some other ideas:
- There is usually a handicapped seat somewhere on the train (a regular seat with an empty space next to it to accommodate an wheelchair). If nobody is using the handicapped seat, you can sit there and seat your son in his stroller next to you. Sometimes (rarely) there is even a strap designed to secure the wheelchair into the space.
- Whenever possible, wear your son out by visiting a playground before you get to the train station. At two, he's probably practicing his jumping skills, and he can practice hopping in place in all but the most crowded train stations without disturbing anyone.
- Take a break from your seats and visit the dining car (where there's generally some open space) and the other cars near yours. A chance to explore should help satisfy some of his curiosity, and give him something to think about when he returns to his seat.
- Do everything in your power to keep him occupied and happy in his seat. Here are some of our favorite tips:
Ten Tips for Keeping A Toddler Busy on a Trip
Ten Great Travel Toys That Won't Cost You Money and
Our Favorite Travel Toys
Anyone have other suggestions for Meg? Please share them in Comments.
4 comments |
Posted on May 19, 2008 |
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Comments
Susannah on May 19, 2008 at 4:55 a.m.
I'm not sure if you're already taking a specific stroller, but the Sit 'n Stroll carseat/stroller combo doesn't require a seatbelt to keep the child in place.
Debbie on May 19, 2008 at 6:24 a.m.
Great idea Susannah!
Jamie on May 19, 2008 at 7:10 a.m.
Sometimes (not often, if I'm honest) you can reserve 4 seats--2 forward-facing, 2 rear-facing--with a table in between. It's bliss. We've done this on Eurostar from London to Paris. Having a play surface is very handy, and worth the added expense. Plus you seat the short people next to the window and block aisle access with your body.
Debbie on May 19, 2008 at 10:47 p.m.
Great Point Jamie.
We've been lucky enough to have that configuration a few times and it has been a dream. Best of all, there's no seat back for the kids to kick...
Debbie