What does your 4-8 year old ride in?

Question

My daughter is 6 years old, 48 inches tall, and about 60 pounds. She will definitely be in her booster seat for at least another year. But people (mainly adults) have been giving me a hard time about putting her in a car seat since around her 4th birthday. ... She has had a babysitter who thought it was too much trouble, a dad who said they are too expensive, and several other people who have no business commenting on the matter have told me that she's too old. ... My question for them is why they don't put their own kids in special seats.

There have been a few times that I let my daughter ride outside of her booster seat. But they are pretty rare since my boyfriend pointed out how much safer the booster seat is.

Answer 1

no my sister has a 10 yr old daughter who is still in a booster seat its fine you just want her to be safe

Answer 2

My son is 8 and always uses his booster seat - it's no more an issue than my older daughter wearing her seatbelt is. In the UK it would be illegal for him not to use it, as he isn't close to the height requirement yet and he'd have to be 12 for it not to apply. He's short for his age - I fully expect that he will be using it until he is at least 10 and maybe older than that.

Too expensive? Come off it, my son's booster cost £10 (that's around $20). That's a fraction of the cost of a tank of fuel.

Answer 3

Your child's safety is YOUR responsibility  not the neighbors!

If she isn't old enough or large enough to be out of the seat, she would be injured or killed in a crash if she sits in a regular seat.

Your attitude toward the booster is crucial. If your child sees that this is the best for her and that you do it because you love her and don't want anything to happen to her, then she will be okay with it.

Don't ever let other people make decisions about riding in the booster for the safety of your child in a car!! They won't be the ones crying if tragedy happens.

Answer 4

I had a friend that worked as an EMT.   He always told us the saddest stories of accidents, only to  find the parents were too lazy or ignorant to keep up with booster seats for their children.  they are your babies, keep them safe.

Answer 5

You shouldn't listen to people's negativity. You are only looking out for your daughter's well being. Which is what any good parent should do. If your daughter still isn't big enough to ride in just a seat belt then stick with the booster. I babysitt a little boy who is six and is very small for his age. His mom quit putting him in his booster because she said it made him feel bad that he was the only kindergardener in his class that was still in one. She should have told him that he was special and she just wanted to keep him safe. Reguardless of what she does I still put him in one when he is with me. She would be insane to yell at me for keeping him safe. You shouldn't feel ashamed for being a good parent!!!!

Answer 6

Good for you for putting your daughter in booster seat.  She is definitely much safer.  I would tell the people who tell you otherwise that when they start supporting your daughter and helping to pay your bills, then they can tell you what to do.  She's your daughter and that's your choice and it's a good choice.

Answer 7

Ignore the ignorant.

From what I can see, my daughter was the ONLY first grader to come to school still in a booster seat or safety seat of any kind. Both of my kids have been informed that they will be in booster seats until they reach the proper height/weight/age, no matter if their friends do or not. And if their friends give them grief about it, I don't really care. Like I tell my kids, I'd rather they were safe than flying through the window.

Parents do what is convenient for them~~~they seem to over-look what's best for the children a lot of the times.

Stay strong. Good luck!

Answer 8

My granddaughter is 6...she has a booster seat, although sometimes she just sits on the seat with just the seatbelt! She actually wants one of those "big kid" carseats, so she can see out the window better!

Answer 9

Keep Her in the Seat Safety First!!!

Answer 10

My daughter isn't 4 yet, but when she gets there I will put her in whatever will be the safest seat for her in the car.  If that is a car seat still or a booster seat, then so be it.

Lots of people will share their opinion about this (and just about anything to do with children) when it is none of their business.  It's hard to ignore, but you must.

You are her mommy and you have the last word.  I think that a booster seat is the best bet to use until she is both tall enough and heavy enough to ride without.  Again, age is not a determining factor.  Think of it this way, if you were at an amusement park or the fair and your daughter wanted to go on a ride, they do not have a sign up near the ride stating that your must be XX years old to ride safely - no the sign says you must be this tall and weigh this much...

Good luck with ignoring the ignorant and with standing firm in keeping your precious daughter safe. =)

Answer 11

depends on the state you live in on the rules..

In IL a child that weights up to 80lbs has to be in a car seat after that a child has to be in a booster seat up until the age of 11..

Don't worry about to much what others say, do what you feel is right..

like my son was out of a car seat at the age of 8 and booster seat were kinda small so he had to sit in the regular seat..

Go by what the state law says,,cause you don't want to get any tickets

Answer 12

My 6 year old son sits in a car seat.    It's not your typical car seat, it was pretty expensive compared to some.    He thought he was too old, but I informed him he wasnt and was going to sit in one.    So, he picked it out.    It's made for a weight up to 90 pounds.   He sits in it without problem and I think he actually likes it since he can see much better.   Plus he has arm rests and a cup hold built into it.  

In the state where we live, children have to be in a child restraint seat until they are 8 years old and 80 pounds.    The ticket can be pretty pricey if you are caught without your child buckled up .  

Besides being against the law, you are protecting your daughter.     Ignore everyone else.    She's your daughter, your responsibility and you are doing what's best for her.     Tell everyone to butt out.     Tell the babysitter that you are paying her to care for your child the way you want for her to be cared for and if she doesn't, find someone else.     As for her dad, you have the option of taking him back to court and having the court enforce the rule of a car seat or losing the privilege of being able to transport her in his car.     In some communities, the local police department has vouchers for  $ off car seat/booster seats or actually have seats free of charge.       If it were me, I'd just buy a booster seat and give it to the dad.   Then, he has no reason to argue about it.  

Stick to your guns!   You're a good mom.   You're doing what's right.

Answer 13

do what you think is right for your child.