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Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
A relative just posted pics of her kids in the back of her car, in backless boosters. One will be 5 in a few months, the other 3 this month. The older child is small for their age, the younger child is pretty big.
One of the kids also has autism, I do not know if additional restraints with a regular car seat is an issue. If someone would fill me in on that I would appreciate it as I do not know a lot.
I have to say regardless of laws I am really concerned as I do not feel this is safe and don't know how to approach this. My own kid is very tall for her age but was in a high-backed booster until she got too tall, pretty sure she was close to 7. This person can be stubborn and prickly and I had to have a similar chat when the first child was a newborn and not being properly strapped into the seat. It took several people saying something before they listened.
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Posted 5/2/15 7:01 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
LotsaLuv
Us
Member since 6/10 4094 total posts
Name:
F
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Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
When it comes to parenting, unless it affects me or my family ddirectly, I mind my business. Maybe post car seat rules on facebook and tag all your close friends with children including her, so she reads it, but is not singled out.
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| Posted 5/2/15 7:54 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Seatbelt laws are very vague. Even in NY, the laws are "properly restrained". There is no law that says anything about rear-facing, 5 point harnesses, booster seats, etc. Those are all recommendations in NY.
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| Posted 5/2/15 8:16 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Posted by GoldenRod
Seatbelt laws are very vague. Even in NY, the laws are "properly restrained". There is no law that says anything about rear-facing, 5 point harnesses, booster seats, etc. Those are all recommendations in NY.
And it's really unfortunate. NY is a proper use state though so if the seat specifies to use rear facing until 2 or whatever, it is technically illegal to rear face earlier in that specific seat. There are seats like that. The manufacturers are getting on board with the recommendations of the AAP. Now it's time for the states to catch up by enacting laws.
OP: it's hard to say something. I always advocate speaking up but don't always do so myself bc I'm afraid of confrontation so I take the passive aggressive way out and post meme and after meme and article after article and hope that the parent gets it. Unfortunately there are some people who are too proud to admit when they're doing something unsafe when it comes to their children.
I wish parents did as much research on car seat safety as they do on what stroller to buy, for example.
Message edited 5/2/2015 9:55:39 PM.
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| Posted 5/2/15 9:53 PM |
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Kissy331
My two miracles!
Member since 5/06 17826 total posts
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Kristen
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Honestly I would not say a word. I have 2 kids 4.5 & 5.5. Both are in backless boosters in my husbands car as they aren't in it much & we are confident in our decision to put them in it. If someone was to approach me about it, I honestly would tell them to MYOB bc my kid is properly restrained
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| Posted 5/2/15 9:56 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Posted by Kissy331
Honestly I would not say a word. I have 2 kids 4.5 & 5.5. Both are in backless boosters in my husbands car as they aren't in it much & we are confident in our decision to put them in it. If someone was to approach me about it, I honestly would tell them to MYOB bc my kid is properly restrained
Even if it's statistically proven that it's significantly safer for kids that age to be harnessed?
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| Posted 5/2/15 10:16 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
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..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Why do people rush to a backless booster? Genuinely curious. What's the benefit?
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| Posted 5/2/15 10:39 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Oh and for those who say myob...read this. Might make you see it differently.
I wish someone had told me
Message edited 5/2/2015 10:53:56 PM.
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| Posted 5/2/15 10:41 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Such an awful tragic story. Same with the 3 year old in the booster who died this past week. If only he had been harnessed as a child of his age should have been.
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| Posted 5/2/15 10:54 PM |
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Thanks for the responses. I am normally an MYOB type but if anything happened to these kids I would never forgive myself. They were both asleep and slumped over in the photo I saw, I do not see how that is at all safe for them.
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| Posted 5/3/15 8:28 AM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Posted by ElizaRags35
Such an awful tragic story. Same with the 3 year old in the booster who died this past week. If only he had been harnessed as a child of his age should have been.
Sorry... This story is sad, but the real story (you can see it in the video) is that they didn't buckle the kid in. The speeding boyfriend who blew a stop sign at 60mph & only fastened the chest clip (which unfastened upon impact). No car seat can protect against stupidity. The other child in the car was pinned in the car not by his car seat, but by the seat in front of him. Baby flew out of the car.
OP: if you are really close with this relative, ask her why she has her kid in the car seat when there are better, inexpensive alternatives.
If you are not close, MYOB & enlist a closer relative to speak to her. You already said you don't know the full story (autistic kid).
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| Posted 5/3/15 9:14 AM |
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bella321
Blessed!
Member since 3/09 1952 total posts
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Kristy
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Posted by NervousNell
Why do people rush to a backless booster? Genuinely curious. What's the benefit?
I think it's because they are, generally, easier to install and move from one car to another. Also, some kids want a "big" kid feel in the car.
Personally, my kids do not move into another seat until they outgrow what we currently have. It makes sense for safety and finances.
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| Posted 5/3/15 9:17 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Posted by bella321
Posted by NervousNell
Why do people rush to a backless booster? Genuinely curious. What's the benefit?
I think it's because they are, generally, easier to install and move from one car to another. Also, some kids want a "big" kid feel in the car.
Personally, my kids do not move into another seat until they outgrow what we currently have. It makes sense for safety and finances.
I am sorry but my 4 year old will not dictate to me what car seat to use because she wants to feel like a "big kid". She is FOUR. Her thought process is not nearly mature enough to be making safety decisions.
She doesn't want to wear her bike helmet either. That doesn't mean I let her go without it. I am the parent. I make decisions about safety.
Message edited 5/3/2015 9:57:08 AM.
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| Posted 5/3/15 9:56 AM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by bella321
Posted by NervousNell
Why do people rush to a backless booster? Genuinely curious. What's the benefit?
I think it's because they are, generally, easier to install and move from one car to another. Also, some kids want a "big" kid feel in the car.
Personally, my kids do not move into another seat until they outgrow what we currently have. It makes sense for safety and finances.
I am sorry but my 4 year old will not dictate to me what car seat to use because she wants to feel like a "big kid". She is FOUR. Her thought process is not nearly mature enough to be making safety decisions.
She doesn't want to wear her bike helmet either. That doesn't mean I let her go without it. I am the parent. I make decisions about safety.
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| Posted 5/3/15 10:46 AM |
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Leb
LIF Adult
Member since 12/09 4166 total posts
Name:
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Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
I am not at a booster point yet so don't know about them really. But I was basically abused by family and friends Bc I kept dd rear facing until 2.5. One day my parents switched their car seat and after that I did too. I would have probably kept her longer.
I've send articles. Her specific car seat specs and told them Google internal decapication. All my friends switched their kids around at about a year. So sometimes you do speak up and get called crazy and obsessed and weird. It's actually annoying.
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| Posted 5/3/15 11:43 AM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Posted by Leb
I am not at a booster point yet so don't know about them really. But I was basically abused by family and friends Bc I kept dd rear facing until 2.5. One day my parents switched their car seat and after that I did too. I would have probably kept her longer.
I've send articles. Her specific car seat specs and told them Google internal decapication. All my friends switched their kids around at about a year. So sometimes you do speak up and get called crazy and obsessed and weird. It's actually annoying.
My mom and MIL laughed at me when I said I planned on keeping DD RFing til 4 or til she maxed out her seat limits for RFing. I let them. At the end of the day, DH and I are her parents. I'd be pissed if anyone turned her around before I gave the ok. That's not cool.
My mom gave me such a hard time this winter b/c I never put anything heavier than a fleece jacket on DD when going in the car. She'd point out all the kids around her age who had thick coats on. And I point blankly said that if my car and their car were in an accident together, at least I'd know that my child is in her car seat safely and correctly and my child would have a greater chance of survival.
My dad bought a house recently and the family that lived there before him had left a car seat in the basement that looked like it was in decent condition. He thought it was great that he could have a car seat for DD to use when she's there. Nope. Sorry. I don't know the history of that seat. Want to take DD for a ride? Get a new car seat or use mine. I'm not risking my kid's life to save some money or out of convenience.
At the end of the day, they're OUR children. We're the ones responsible for their safety. And these days with the greater amount of distractions and drunk drivers (or at least that's what it seems like), you can't be too careful.
Sorry for going off on my  but I'm pretty psycho when it comes to car seat safety.
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| Posted 5/3/15 11:59 AM |
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WonderLady
LIF Infant
Member since 1/15 355 total posts
Name:
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Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
We have boosters that are easy to travel with or good if you're in a pinch, but even my 5 year old is not mature enough to use it regularly bc he has to constantly be reminded to sit up right etc. That said, I do use them now and then. He IS the right age, height, weight for it.
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| Posted 5/3/15 12:24 PM |
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Kissy331
My two miracles!
Member since 5/06 17826 total posts
Name:
Kristen
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Re: Car seat laws in other states/Kids in wrong seats/WWYD?
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by Kissy331
Honestly I would not say a word. I have 2 kids 4.5 & 5.5. Both are in backless boosters in my husbands car as they aren't in it much & we are confident in our decision to put them in it. If someone was to approach me about it, I honestly would tell them to MYOB bc my kid is properly restrained
Even if it's statistically proven that it's significantly safer for kids that age to be harnessed?
Honestly, yes. My kids on a daily basis are in 5 point harness booster seats. They are only in my husbands car on a Saturday or Sunday tops 4 times a month. The backless boosters are just a better cost efficient way to allow thrm to travel with daddy. To uninstall my booster every time they want to ride in their fathers car is insane
My boys are mature enough & know how to properly sit in the backless boosters without slouching or moving. With that said, everyone has their own opinion just like the rear facing til 2. I know what's recommended but I'm confident with my decision & honestly if something tragically happened, I know that it was my fault. Saying that doesn't change the validity of anything
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| Posted 5/3/15 1:52 PM |
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