Help lol

My little boy (2.5) has always loved cars. He has recently taken a liking to sitting in the drivers seat pretending to drive. I let him do it once down the beach and since then he asks to do it often. Recently (last few days) it's really ramped up where we will go out in the car, get to our destination and then he'll lose his mind because we get out of the car to do the activity and not sit in the drivers seat. So for example today, he was excited for swimming. We got there and he wanted to sit in the driver's seat then had the mother of all tantrums because he couldn't. Yesterday he did the same at the park, then went to the park but after ten mins said 'ok let's go bk to the blue car'. It's becoming an issue! Is this a phase? Is this normal? Just to add, he will play with many other things so isn't obsessed with cars but they are defo his favourite things. I'm just at a loss of what to do as it's now making me not want to take him out in the car as I know wherever we go he'll do this 🫠🫠🫠

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It's deciding whether he is allowed to do that when you go out or not. If not then it has to be a firm no with no one of turns. If its yes then give it him a chance to do it.

If you say no then stick to it. You’ll have to expect a few more tantrums but he will soon start to learn that you mean what you say. The more you give in the worse the tantrums and the demands to do what he wants will get. Maybe you can get the toy that has a steering wheel and you can ask him to drive at the back for you… for example ask him to drive you to the school and heavily praise him once you arrive ❤️ stay strong mama

Maybe try to stop letting him sit in the drivers seat when you have somewhere to be! Also try giving him options to make him excited and distract him from wanting to sit in the car so if you go to the park “do you want to go to the swings or the slide first” and I let my son take 2 toy car’s every so that might help too

Just to clarify, I've only let him do it once when we had a car picnic at the coast. The other times I say no and we go about our day but the last few days his desire to do it has increased therefore the tantrums have increased with it even though I don't give it x

@Charlotte the toy is a good idea! Willing to try anything!

I feel your pain. My father in law let my little boy sit on his lap & hold the steering wheel while he was parking the car up in our car park after we'd been out once. Now, he expects to do the same thing in everyone's car & gets upset when we say he can't. You just have to stay strong & ride out the tantrums 🫶

Tell him "We only do it at home." Then let him go crazy while you clean out your garage. 🤣