Ok, I would really appreciate some opinions on this one and I'd love to hear from Trina too since she is our resident expert in this area.

My dd is 9 years old and 58 pounds. She is currently in a booster, but it is the type where it just elevates her a little and she uses the regular seatbelt. The problem is that she doesn't want to use a booster at all any more. She says that she is too old for a booster seat at 9 years old and it embarrasses her. I understand where she is coming from, but I also want her to be safe. What would/do you all do? Did/do you still have your 9yo or older in a booster of any type? Does anyone know at what weight it is ok to ditch the booster and allow the regular car seat? TIA

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 03:03 pm:

My DS is turning 9 in August, is 4'5" tall, 72 lbs. and is still in a booster. The shoulder belt cuts across his neck without one. He will continue to ride in a booster until he is at least 4'9" tall and passes the 5 Step Test. He went through a period when he was embarrassed to be in one until I reviewed CPS info and stats with him. When I told him he was 60% safer in his booster as compared to riding without one, that did it for him. I asked, "Is 60% a lot?" DS: "Well, YEA!!" Haven't heard a complaint since.

The 5-Step Test.

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat to make both the shoulder belt and the lap belt fit right for the best crash protection. Your child will be more comfortable, too!

More info:
Child Passenger Safety and Car Seat Resources

By Kaye on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 03:04 pm:

I think the official weight is 80 pounds. But look at your child, how does she fit? Does she pass the 5 pt test? How tall is she? You have to remember it is laws it is about safety. How woudl you feel if you were ina wreck and she didn't make it because the seatbelt didn't hold her in? Only you can make that decision, but it isn't black and white numbers. You have to really look at your child and her size and her demeanor and see how she would be in a seat belt. My 9 year old is not in a booster, he weighs 90 pounds and is just short of 5 foot, a seat belt gives him the best protection and quite frankly has for a couple of years now. My 7 1/2 year old is still in a booster and probably will be until he is 10, he is a very little guy.

By Kaye on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 03:06 pm:

That was suppose to say it isn't about laws it is about safety (or lives I believe is the official quote)

By Tunnia on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 05:26 pm:

Thanks so much! This is exactly the info I was needing. I am going to have a little talk with her about why it's important for her to still be in the booster (she does NOT pass the 5 step test) and now I have the info to back me up and I will definitely show it to her to reinforce why she is still going to stay in her booster for a while longer. I have tried to have these talks with her before, but didn't have any "expert info" to back me up. Hopefully it will work this time and she will quit whining and nagging about her booster.

By Marcia on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 08:58 pm:

My kids are pretty tall, and none of them have been in a booster for a couple of years. They are almost 9, 10 and 12. My soon to be 9 year old is close to 5' tall, and she weighs at least 75lbs. My 10 year old is a bit taller, but weighs less. My 12 year old is now finally allowed to sit in the front seat, although she's about 5'3 and 115lbs, so really could have been in it for a while now. I just stuck to the age thing.
None of them would have been comfortable being in a booster still, because their legs are far too long.