Hi! I am hoping you have some words of wisdom for me. My dd is 8yo and will be 9 in four months. She weighs 56lbs and is exactly 4' tall. She is still in a booster seat, but she is fighting me tooth and nail these days and getting more upset about having to sit in it each time we get in the car because she says she feels like a baby because she is still sitting in a booster seat and none of her friends have to. At what weight and height can she begin sitting in the regular car seat? If she still isn't big enough to sit in the regular seat then any words of wisdom on how to get her to stay in her booster without being totally miserable? TIA

By Missmudd on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 03:59 pm:

I am sorry you are having trouble w/ her. What is your state law? In oregon it is either 6 or 60 pounds whichever is later. What kind of seat does she have? They have really low profile ones that may make her feel less like a baby. Our last booster for #3 ds was like a bucket seat, it really looked just like a car's seat except it was higher on the bench. Maybe something like that would make her feel more comfortable until she gets big enough. I would also have a discussion about why they are so important. And since she is 8 you can talk about crushed pelvis head injuries whip lash, all that stuff to hopefully bring home that you love her and dont want her to be seriously hurt or killed if you are unfortunate enough to get in an accident. GL

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 08:13 am:

I recently had this chat with DS (8). A friend of his teased him about still being in a booster. Peer pressure... Grrr. At first I wanted to lay down Mommy Law but then I took a deep breath and calmly reviewed all the safety issues. We visited web sites and read up on boosters. I pointed out that although many kids don't use boosters, they would be safer in a crash if they did. Then I smiled and said, "I'm a CPS Tech, and I have to practice what I preach. Kids in boosters until at least 4'9" and can pass the 5 Step Test." No further complaints from DS.

What kind of booster does she have? I agree that a backless booster might be a good option because it would not be as obvious as a high back one. They are safe, as long as used with both a lap and shoulder belt and the vehicle seat has head support (ie: a head rest or high seat back).

Here is an example of a backless booster.


BoosterSeat.gov

5 Step Test

I have relatives visiting and need to go. I'll post back later with more resources.

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 08:17 am:

Here's another good resource with video clips.

http://www.chop.edu/carseat

By Debbie on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 09:44 am:

I just moved my almost 7 year old into a backless booster. He also was upset because a classmate said something. He really likes the backless. We have the one that Trina posted. Here in Illinois they changed the law last year and it is 8 yrs old and 80 lbs. I have talked with my ds alot about how it is safer and we don't want him to get hurt. He is very thin and isn't even at 50 lbs yet, so he is going to be in a booster for awhile. Since switching to the backless booster, he hasn't complained at all.

By Tunnia on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 10:13 am:

We switched her to the backless booster a couple of months ago, but it didn't make much of a difference with my dd. I understand her point. Being nearly 9yo it would be embarrassing to still be in a booster seat, but she is still small, much smaller than the other kids in the 3rd grade.

I think that I will have her sit with me and we will do some "research" online. Thank you for the suggestions and links. I'm not sure that I will be able to keep her in a booster until she is 4'9" and 80lbs because she will probably be a teenager before she reaches that height and weight, but I want to keep her in the booster as long as possible for her safety.

By Melanie on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 12:11 pm:

My nine year old is in the booster Trina posted above. Like the others, we simply explained the safety issues when he questioned it. He hasn't questioned it again.

By Kaye on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 05:00 pm:

What are the front seat requirements trina? I know mine aren't old enough, big enough, but they just recently asked when they would be and I didn't know.

My 3rd grader is 5 foot tall and 85 pounds, he has been out of a booster for sometime, so I don't even think about older kids. My oldest is only 60 pounds, but same height.

Also I thought they shouldn't be in boosters if their ears clear the headrest. is that right?

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, January 1, 2005 - 12:06 pm:

Kaye, the general recommendation is "12 and under in the back seat". The back seat is 30% safer.

"Also I thought they shouldn't be in boosters if their ears clear the headrest. is that right?"

It really has more to do with how the seat belt fits. Many cars now have adjustable head rests. If not, and if a child doesn't pass the 5 Step Test but their ears are over the top of the vehicle seat back then a high back booster is necessary.