Does your child under 10 use a car seat/ booster

6000miles

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:27 pm

Lately, I’ve been seeing lots of people posting videos driving or seeing cars in the street and the little kids are not in car seats and it freaks me out!!!! Do most people not use car seats or booster seats for their kids like age 3 till 10? I feel like it’s a Frum Jewish thing… No judgement, but it’s not safe!!!!!!

amother

Buttercup

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:31 pm

Booster until age 8 in NJ I believe my kids are short so it’s important for me to follow this

amother

Zinnia

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:32 pm

Um the law is not 10
It’s either 8 or 80 pounds
And no, once my kids are in 1st or second grade they don’t use a booster, and my kids are pretty tall

amother

NeonBlue

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:37 pm

Absolutely. If your child does not pass the the 5 step test they are not safe in a car accident. I personally don't play with my children's lives. There is a solution to keep them safe, they make car seats and boosters for all kids that need them. It is our responsibility. I get so angry every time I hear a child was injured for incorrect car seat/ seat belt. https://csftl.org/the-five-step-test/

amother

Clear

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:39 pm

It’s age 12 or 135cm in the Uk- whichever comes first.

Unless for irregular journeys like in a short taxi ride in which case you can just strap them in the seat.

amother

SandyBrown

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:40 pm

I use boosters until they can comfortably use the shoulder belt without it digging into their neck/chin. My kids are big and tall for their age so that's what I go by.

amother

Blush

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:42 pm

My 8 year old is super short and still in a booster. 3.5 year old is also short and still in a car seat. But I do feel like an anomaly. I think that people with lots of little kids don't have space for all those boosters and car seats. But still not an excuse.

amother

Impatiens

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:43 pm

I went by size & weight using boosters, even though others didn't, not when dc in others carpools & school so closeby, but for sure on highways.
I don't understand why people would only go by age esp if child is petite.

amother

NeonBlue

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:43 pm

amother Zinnia wrote:

Um the law is not 10
It’s either 8 or 80 pounds
And no, once my kids are in 1st or second grade they don’t use a booster, and my kids are pretty tall

Yes they do. No first or second grader can use a seat belt correctly. The law isn't always what's safest.

amother

Razzmatazz

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:44 pm

I keep my kids boosted until theyve hit the requirement. But thats in my own car.
Im curious what others do when your kid is joining a carpool, gets a ride etc.
Do you really make them bring a booster seat along?

amother

NeonBlue

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:47 pm

amother Razzmatazz wrote:

Yes I've given car pool car seats and boosters. When it was too inconvenient I didn't join car pools and drove every day.

amother

Zinnia

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:47 pm

amother NeonBlue wrote:

Yes they do. No first or second grader can use a seat belt correctly. The law isn't always what's safest.

Yes they do what. I wrote what they do, not what they ideally should do.
They do need to? Great, you try convincing a macho 7 year old who’s friends are never in a booster that he needs it.
In first grade, my kids are 7 (I’ve held most of them back) and very tall so the strap doesn’t touch their neck
By the time they’re in 2nd grade they’re 8 and not required by law anyways

Hashem_Yaazor

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:48 pm

My 10 yo and lower are always in car seats or boosters, but after 8, I'm not makpid in others' cars for short rides. My almost 12 yo is in a bubble bum for longer rides in our car. We're short and safety is important to me but once it gets way past social norms, I need to weigh that in.

gootlfriends

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:52 pm

It goes by height or weight. My kids run small so they are in boosters until 9. But for carpool the other kids don't use.

amother

NeonBlue

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:54 pm

amother Zinnia wrote:

You are the parent you get to set whatever rules you want

amother

Butterscotch

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 6:59 pm

DD4 is still in her car seat. At what age can I switch her to a booster?

amother

Thistle

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 7:01 pm

amother Butterscotch wrote:

DD4 is still in her car seat. At what age can I switch her to a booster?

You need to be 40 pounds for a booster.

Elilove

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 7:13 pm

Always did the following. You’re 100% right that it’s not safe how some people put very young children in the car without anything.
Rear facing car seat until around age 2
Forward facing car seat until around age 7
Booster seat until around age 10
I say around because every child height and weight are different.

amother

Lightyellow

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 7:14 pm

amother Butterscotch wrote:

DD4 is still in her car seat. At what age can I switch her to a booster?

I'm just moving my 42 lb age child to a booster. Bought one last week. I'm only doing to bec DC age 1 is outgrown the infant seat. I didn't want 2 full sized car seats. A car seat is better for napping, for head support.

To answer op, my oldest is the 4 year old I mentioned, so we are still going strong bh. I haven't really paid attention to what my siblings and friends do.

amother

Tomato

Wed, Sep 20 2023, 7:15 pm

So if you're driving a high school carpool, and my son's friend- a 75lb, 4'4" 15 year old gets in, you'd all insist that he sits in a booster?