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Parking Pal Helps Active Toddler Stay Put in Parking Lot
Aug 25 2009 by Courtney Messenbaugh
There’s no way to sugar-coat this: My son is wild. He’s adventurous and curious. While these characteristics can be hard to contain at times, I like them and think that they will serve him well in life. However, the one place I refuse to put up with his wild ways is in a parking lot. This is easier said than done, which is what lead me to try the Parking Pal.
The Parking Pal is a circular magnet that you place on the side of your vehicle; it helps teach your child that parking lots aren’t for play. There’s a lot of distractions in a parking lot, so I’m a fan of anything that will help teach my son to stay close to the car until I’m ready to go.
The Parking Pal has a small palm print on it where my son places his hand and remains there — theoretically — until you tell him it’s time to go. I was doubtful at first, but my son miraculously stayed in place with the Parking Pal. Thanks to the colorful design that features numbers circling the palm print, his attention was rapt. My son is new to knowing his numbers, so he stayed put and shouted out, “Nine, seven, three, eleventeen.” For those who weren’t math majors, eleventeen isn’t a number and it’s not listed on the Parking Pal magnet, but my son thinks it exists. At least he’s not still running wild in parking lots, so let’s let him have “eleventeen” for now, shall we? The Pal also comes in other brightly colored designs, including fish, soccer balls, flowers and dinosaurs.
Until all vehicles are equipped with rearview cameras and all drivers remember to pay careful attention in parking lots (and on that note, until pigs fly), the Parking Pal is a great aid in keeping your child safer in parking lots. It retails for about $8. You can learn more at ParkingPalMagnet.com.
User Comments
Might be interesting a few times, then it will be old news. The parking lot is one of my worst fears as a parent.
Wow, interesting product! I was skeptical when I started reading, and when I read it was a magnet I thought: “And do you glue an opposite-charged magnet to the kid’s hand???” LOL Now THAT would work!
@Staci - where else should they be? If they’re on either side, there’s a risk of the car next to you pulling out (and I hate when people linger beside my car while I’m getting ready to pull out.)
The only problem I see is if you’re putting packages in the trunk. I’d be more inclined to turn on the AC (in the summer) leave a door open, and strap a wild toddler into the car seat while I take care of anything else that needs to be done. But I can’t really say until I’ve been there—which I’m sure I will in a few months!
Great idea but really hate the placement on the rear bumper - think that is the worst place for a child to be standing in a parking lot.