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Moms View Message Board: Parenting Discussion: Archive January-June 2005: Boosters are for Big Kids!
Current recommendations for booster use is until a child is at least 4'9", between 80-100 lbs. and can pass the 5 Step Test. Only 10-20% of kids age 4-8 are using boosters that should be. Kids are 60% SAFER in boosters.
My DD just turned 7. She is 4'6" tall. She weighs about 60 pounds. She is a full head taller than the next tallest child in her first grade class. She is THE ONLY child out of all her friends, and I'm sure most of the other kids her age, who is still in a booster seat. She will be in the booster seat until well past the current recommendations. A car accident, that did $5,000 damage to my vehicle this past summer, showed me just how safe booster seats are. She would have been seriously injured if she hadn't been safely secured in her booster seat.
oops...that should have been "ignorance"
Livvy,
Got a question for ya Trina. I started thinking about the parents that I know and why they don't use boosters. It seems to be the age thing. Why do they even put an age on the recommendations?? My DD is 7 and so is her good friend. Her friend though is a good 2 years away from meeting the height and weight recommendations.
It's all politics! *Heavy Sigh* Below is a link to all the different state child restraint laws. When parents say to me, "Johnny doesn't have to be in a car seat legally, so I assume he's safe." I reply, "OK, so legally speaking, why is it considered "safe" for a child to be out of a car seat in CT at 4 yrs. or 40 lbs. but not until 6 yrs. and 60 lbs. in Delaware??" It's all politics. The laws of physics over ride the laws of man. Then I go on to explain the 4'9" recommendation and the 5 Step Test.
They changed the law here in Illinois to 8 yrs, and 80 lbs last year. They did a lot of advertising to make sure everyone was aware of the law change. I don't think it did a bit of good. I hardly see any children at ds's school in boosters. And, only one of my neighbors has their older child in a booster. He is actually 9, but very small for his age. I have really gotten on one of my good friends because her 7 year old, who is small, is not in one and she lets her 9 yr. old ride in the front seat. "Sigh" I just don't get it
but if it's the law, wouldn't these people get into trouble and have to pay fines and all that? If they don't care about their children you would think they at least care about having to pay out money and it being on their record. who knows what these people are thinking?!!
My DD who is 8 is now in one of those backless boosters and she was getting too tall for her high back booster. The problem is we now have the headrest in the van up as high as it will go and it is just BARELY high enough for her...what is our next step??
The problem in our area is that it is not enforced by the law. All they would have to do is sit outside our elem. schools and they could write so many tickets. We don't have our own police dept. We are patrolled by the county sherriff's dept. We'll see if there are any changes when our new law gets going but I doubt anything will change.
I just took a look at the chart that you posted Trina! I can't believe that a child over the age of 3 can be out of a booter seat in a lot of states. Did I read that right???????? If I read it right I don't even know what to say to that!!!!!!
Livvy, when my kids were little, the prevailing wisdom was they could be out of a carseat at 4 years/40 pounds, so that is what everyone did. My kids are 15 and 12. Fortunately, I never had a bad accident, so my kids are still with me and are healthy!
Yeah, times sure have changed! When most of us were little, we never even had to be in a seat belt let alone a car seat. I think I remember my Mom saying that she brought me home from the hospital laying on the front seat of her car!!
Paula, have you tried the 5 Step Test with your DD? How tall is she? What are the child restraint laws in your province? If the seat belt fits her correctly and she's within the legal requirements she will be OK without a booster.
Trina, I think I will do the 5 step test with her today. I love the little things you are putting at the bottom of your posts. Do they come as bumper stickers? They should.
Ok, I have a question and many of you may find this stupid, but I'm asking anyway. I drive a chevy malibu (4 dr). My children are ages 5,3,&10 months. They are all in safety seats. My 5 year old is small for her age. The problem I am having is that all the seats do not fit right. It's way too tight. I practically have to slam the doors. I know that can not be safe. I know you're probably going to say buy a bigger car. I can not afford one. I was buying a minivan and it was so much better, but the motor locked down and I returned it. And the next thing you'll say is this is your children's life, so find a way. But honestly, it's impossible right now. I just absolutely cant afford it. So what do I do? Any suggestions?
do you have a second vehicle? If it is neccesary to go somewhere then take both vehicles, that is what dh and I are goingt o do until we buy our van (which will hopefully be right when the baby gets here or shortly after). Good luck and I really hope you figure something out, Have you tried to fit the carseats in your car a different way? My cousin can safely fit 3 carseats in her ford focus wagon, you just have to see which way fits best. I hope you get a bigger vehicle soon, but it's good you at least have them all in carseats.
Renantex, Welcome to MV! There is no such thing as a stupid question.
Renantex, Here are pics of a few 3 across scenarios.
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