Common mistakes parents make when installing a car seat

Common mistakes parents make when installing a car seat

Author: NPR March 2, 2026 Duration: 25:44
If you're a new parent, picking out a car seat can be stressful. Do you need to spend extra on special features to keep your kid safe? How long should your child be rear-facing? How do you know if the car seat is secure enough? In this episode of Life Kit, we cover common mistakes parents make when installing car seats.

Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit
Sign up for our newsletter here.
Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.org
Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

There's no single right way to raise a child, but having a few reliable tools can make all the difference. Life Kit: Parenting from NPR is here to offer just that-practical, evidence-based guidance for the everyday challenges and long-term questions that come with family life. Instead of overwhelming theory, this podcast delivers actionable advice drawn from scientific research and conversations with real experts. You'll hear straightforward strategies for navigating difficult conversations, managing behavioral issues, and fostering emotional resilience, all tailored to fit into the messy reality of daily routines. Each episode focuses on a specific topic, breaking it down into clear, manageable steps you can actually use. Whether you're dealing with toddler tantrums, teenage screen time, or your own parental anxiety, the goal is to provide support that feels both compassionate and useful. By tuning in, you join a community seeking to parent with more confidence and less stress, one episode at a time. For those who want to support this work directly, Life Kit+ offers a sponsor-free listening experience.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Life Kit: Parenting
Podcast Episodes
How to show up for teens when big emotions arise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:30
Being a teenager is hard. There are emotional highs and lows every day. Clinical psychologist Lisa Damour says instead of jumping into problem-solving mode, parents can learn to ride the wave of emotional management with…
Creative way to get kids to eat their veggies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:38
Veggies help kids grow and develop, but it can be hard to convince them to eat their broccoli. These research-backed tips can help you encourage your kids to eat more veggies — or at least try them. See pcm.adswizz.com f…
Why you should connect with your kid, not correct them [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:27
Psychologist Becky Kennedy, author of the new book "Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be," urges parents to spend more time raising thoughtful humans instead of fixing their behavior. See pcm.adswiz…
How to financially prepare for having a baby [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:08
Having a baby is one of the biggest - and most expensive - life changes a person can experience. Here's what you need to know about financially planning for a baby, according to Farnoosh Torabi, Editor at Large CNET Mone…
How to talk to kids about abortion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:38
Talking about abortion can be complicated, even with adults. How do you talk about the medical procedure and the politics around it with kids? NPR's Ailsa Chang gets tips from Dr. Elise Berlan and parenting expert Reena…
How to raise a good citizen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:53
Talking to kids about civics is kind of like talking to kids about sex - avoiding the conversation can have some really negative consequences. Here's how to talk to kids about civic participation, from discussing our har…
What to say to kids when the news is scary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:40
The news can be devastating, and tragic events can be incomprehensible for adults — so how do we talk about them with kids? Child development experts offer advice on what parents, teachers and other caregivers can say to…
How to give mothering the value it deserves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:38
Raising kids is among the most essential work humans do, and yet it's rarely valued as labor. Angela Garbes, author of Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change, guides us through a shift in mindset to help give mother…