Why do people not care!

[Marissa]

So I saw my cousin a week ago or so and I was all freaked out when I saw her put her ONE year old in a High Back Booster seat !!! and her 2 yr old on her lap in the back seat!! I did not say anything because I am tired of preaching to people the importance of carseat usage and she knows better than that..........oh boy.....

Then the other day I was talking to another cousin of mine and he said oh hold on because I am on my way to McDonalds and and there is a cop... he had his 2 yr old in the front seat super bad enough and to to top it off........no carseat.........just in the front seat........:mad2:

[MissLiss460]

That would piss me off too! We just put Landon in a high back seat and he was almost 2 1/2! It makes me so mad when people dont have them in a car seat at all!

[Raquel]

im guilty of doing that with dd. when she was 2 or so though we'd just buckle but never on the lap...

[Jennifer]

Heck, we used to ride in the back of my Pepas pickup truck, all the way to the lake and back, when we were LITTLE- Those were the good ole days!!! LOL!!

[MissLiss460]

Oh I know! Back in the day we were NEVER in carseats! lol
OT In OH there is some law about not riding in the back of a pickup truck so it was weird moving back down south where EVERYONE rides in the back of trucks! Its funny how laws are different in different regions!

[Jennifer]

My parents think me and my carseat obsession is so "strange"- LOL!!

[MissLiss460]

My mom does too! lol My dad on the other hand is worse then me! He is crazy obsessed!

[Stacey]

Oh it pisses me off too...yes we didn't use them when we were little but now we are educated, know better and the tools to keep our kids safe are right there for you to use. I do not understand why some people will NOT use them. My almost 7yr old is STILL in a booster with a BACK.

[Tracy]

I don't necessarily do the extended rfing but my kids are always in carseats until they are too big for them. I don't fully get the whole "well we were okay" line. I do to a point like when it comes to extreme extended use (like a 3yo RFing or a 7yo in a 5pt harness) but to not use one is just crazy. There are more cars on the road now and therefore, more accidents AND cars just aren't made the same. My first car was a buick regal and that thing was a TANK! My goal is to keep my kid in a carseat until they outgrow it. So, Cameron was out of a 5pt harness by 3yrs because he was 43lbs. Sam is still in it at 3.5yr because he's only about 31lbs and I don't even think he is technically heavy enough for a booster (belt positioning) even though I know he is now tall enough. Sam could technically still be RFing but there is no way I would do that! Poor kid would be a pretzel! We actually just had a talk (me and Sam) about his seat because he wanted to sit in one like Cameron and I explained that he could still fit in his seat and it was safest to use his seat until he was too big for it. THEN he could have one like Cameron's. That was enough for him. Megan is still RFing and I honestly don't know how long she will continue with that. Definitely until she is 1 and probably until she is walking and good at it. I know she could sit RFing until 30-35lbs (she's almost 24) BUT, she is very tall and is already objecting to her legs having to be bent to sit RFing. If it comes down to her screaming and me being distracted while driving or her sitting FF and me being 100% focused on driving, I will turn her but I'd like her to stay RFing a little longer.

[Amy]

That is crazy! I wouldn't know what to say Marissa!

[Kimmi]

When i see people like i get pissed i have even called the poilice on people for doing that shit... Shit my 9 year old just got out of his high back booster in Nov..

[natalie]

Off the topic a little but still the concern, it might bug you and you feel a certain way but I am glad you did not say anything as they are not your kids and their parents can raise them however they want. I know personally I want my kids in thoer car seats but if someones else does not use for whatever reason, I think "geez that is stupid" but I would never say anything, as it is none of my business. In this case, it is family so it is a little different but still they are not your kids, you are not the parents, so it might be better not to start drama in the family and like you did, keep your opinion to yourself. Especially if you told how you feel before.

[Kimberli]

I personally would have said something because they might be making that mistake because they are uneducated. I would come from the viewpoint of doing research for Gael moving into his next carseat and you found out what seats could be used at what ages, sizes, etc. I know if I were the one making the mistake, I would be grateful if someone pointed it out to me and saved my child from potential harm...

[Marissa]

I tend to mention carseat safety when I am questioned on certain things. I for one helped my friend to redo the straps on her infant seat beacuse they were all tanlged because after "washing the straps" <---- (something your not supposed to do) but anyways I fixed them for her and took off the after market strap cuffs she had on and told her that they should really come off so he can get harnessed correctly and how to use the chest clip at the right level and I showed her and she was impressed and thanked me because she had not been able to fix the straps, therefore they were riding all over with the baby lose. Well a few days later I saw her and they had him harnessed lose again with the chest clip at his navel level :sigh: after that I gave up and thought "people just don't give a :shit:"

I think it is awesome if you can keep your children harnessed with a 5 point up until they reach the limits of the seat so a 9 year old in carseat is awesome!!!! Most people just go by the law.....oh well they say its 5 years the max for a carseat or 6 or whatever law their state has and then bam they are out of seats.... I just don't get why people don't realize using a carseat is not to avoid TICKETS, but to SAVE a childs life. If you use a carseat incorrectly its the same as not using one at all.....

I plan to keep Gael rear faced up until he outgrows his convertible seat which is Marathon and I can keep him rear faced up until 35 pounds fully dressed and full belly or when he has less than 1 inch of hardshell over his head. Yes their legs get longer and all but kids are flexible and can sit indian style or prop them up against the back seat, in a major accident they have broken legs but at least not a broken spine or neck which can be lethal. He will not know any better than to sit rear facing until its the appopriate time to turn him around.

My cousin has a 6 year old that is only 41 pounds and only like 4 ft and few inches and she said she outgrew her highback booster seat already......which I know is not the case......I have no idea what outgrowing means to her and I decided not to debate so he went and got her a backless booster and now does not use it anymore. She said that the seatbelt fits her fine without the booster. I asked if her legs bent find over the seat and she said no, and I said well then she is not ready to leave the booster then, she said oh but her seatbelt fits fine..........I said well okay than fine (no arguing) you know.

I just feel very strong about this, I can say I was carseat "uneducated" before Gael and even a little after he was born. I for one got rid our our seat protector and use a receiving blanket instead. I also got rid of the handle bar toys. I can say those are the mistakes I was making before I educated myself better. I feel a lot of people don't know enough about carseats. Back then we never used carseats but like Stacey mentioned, times have changed and we have the tools now and better education on the ifs and whats about carseats. I now only worry about my childs well being and safety and will only educate real life people if I am asked of if they make a comment about my carseat usage, I just tell them my safety reasonings for doing things the way I do.

I know everyone chooses to raise their kids their own way and all but if its to save a life I don't see the bad in it, although I do understand people don't like being told how to do things with their kids and all, but I just would hate to see someone in sorrow for something that could have done right in the first place. I don't know EVERYTHING about carseats but the more I can educate myself on them the better :yup:

Here is a sad story but a reality one, Please read Pictures included
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-ppcarseats&msg=66986.1&x=y

[Kimberli]

WOW Marissa - what an interesting story! Kudos to that grandpa for speaking out, I definitely think it's interesting that the AAP is revising their statement on forward facing recommendations - I'll be curious to see what the new recommendations are! Thanks for sharing - even more reason, in my opinion, to keep Nicholas rear facing!

[Marissa]

ITA Kim!

[Stacey]

I think there is nothing wrong especially when it is family to say something. One to educate them and two what they could be doing could be against the law. So I'd rather them hear from me than a police officer. Doesn't mean they will listen but atleast they have been told. So kudos to you Marissa for sticking up for the kids!

I too have a 9yr old that JUST came out of her booster!

[Marissa]

Thanks Stacey!! and kudos to you for your 9 year old coming out of a booster!! I think its awesome. DH thinks I have gone bananas lol but I can't help not noticing incorrect carseat usage........its automatic you know! lol

[Amy]

My 9 year old is still in her booster.. our Yukon seatbelts are HIGH and she hates not being in one.

[Amy]

And I agree... if is against the law.. someone should say SOMETHING... at least they will have the info.. then they can choose to take care of their kids and be responsible.. or not.. but they can't claim they didn't KNOW.. and kids should have someone to stand up for them.. they rely on adults to take care of them and have NO other option if their parent or guardian doesn't :(.

[Kimberli]

My 5 yr old nephew is in a backless booster already...am I wrong in thinking he's too young/small for no 5 point harness already?

[Marissa]

Well its not wrong he can still be in a 5 point booster seat, it is much safer, but he can be in a backless as well. I would personally keep him in a high back 5 point booster at that age........do you'll remember the story recently on the news about the boy who strangled himself with the seat belt accidently?

[Tracy]

It just depends on if he is big or small. Cameron outgrew his 5pt harness before he was 3yrs old! I used it until he was 43lbs at 3yrs, 3 mo and even then, he was way too tall for the seat I was using (I just didn't know it). Getting a Britax seat at that point (and I don't even think they had a 65lbs seat yet) was not an option. So, he's been in a belt positioning booster since he was 3yrs, 3mo. Cameron is still using the back part at almost 6.5 but in my state, he has to until 6yrs or 60lbs. Now that he is 6, he could go completely without a booster but I know he just isn't big enough for the belts in my van. AND, I just don't like the way the belt fits him without the back so he's still using it. Sam at 3.5 is only 32lbs and still in a 5pt harness but I don't know how long I'll keep him in it. At the rate he is gaining weight, he might still fit at 5 but I'm guessing he will be too tall for a 5pt harness within a year max.

[Raquel]

tracy i was the same with dd. she was so tall she was in a booster pretty young. i took her out completely when the boys came home. she rarely used it anyways as she could just buckle and the buckle was fine on her

[Marissa]

Oh but there are aslo high back booster seats with a 5 point harness :yup: vs using the backless booster/seatbelt thing, but its a personal decision.

[Kimberli]

Well this is the BIL and SIL who don't like me, so I was hesitant to say anything but I was worried because my nephew isn't a big kid, so if it were a safety issue you better believe I'd be saying something, no matter what they think of me!

[Marissa]

I know how you feel Kim :pout:

[Tracy]

Oh but there are aslo high back booster seats with a 5 point harness :yup: vs using the backless booster/seatbelt thing, but its a personal decision.

I just wish there were more seats with higher harness slots. That wouldn't have helped Cameron because he was already over 40lbs but quite a bit but it would help Sam. Sam is already on the highest slots and he's about 39in. I think his seat goes to 41". With FF, the ears are not supposed to be over the top of the seat right? If thats the case, I don't think Sam has much more room. He's already on the top slots and his head does stick over the top of the seat (we have a Graco SafeSeat 2 for him) but he still has a couple inches (but one growth spurt could change that). I do have to look at mine though because the newer SafeSeats, I think they're calling them Cozy something or other now) say 43in. If my seat is 43in then I know for sure he will be 4 and proabably closer to 5 before he is too big. Unless getting his tonsils removed changes his eating habbits and he suddenly starts growing because he can eat!

[Marissa]

Tracy they outgrow FF if their shoulder is above the last harness slot. There are like 2 booster seats that actually do harness over 40 pounds and have higher slots than the Safeseat2 which is a convertible . The Nautilus and the Apex both harness to 65 pounds then they can be used as high back booster then backless one. I think both go up to 100 pounds. I need to make sure. I can research some more for you if you'd like.

[Tracy]

Thanks for the offer but both those seats are over $100 and I already have a booster for Sam that my DH is trying to convince me to use. Sam is on his 3rd seat already (he had the infant seat, then a Graco that we used RFing and now the SafeSeat). We've already spent close to $350 on carseats and there is no way I can convince my DH to get him another seat thats about $150 when we already have the booster for him. My goal is to just keep him in the 5pt as long as I can and then move him to the booster. I really pushed for the Britax for Megan because she is big like Cameron was and I didn't want to be in the same situation of having a not even 3yo that is too big for a 5pt harness and a DH that is refusing to buy a $300 seat that might only be used 2yrs because we've already spent $200+ on carseats. At least now, I know M is covered until she is 4-5ish depending on her height before I even have to worry about a booster.

[Marissa]

Cool just sharing :-)

[CourtneyB]

That sucks that people don't care :(

I as politely as possible let people know if I see something unsafe regarding car seats. Both of my kids are in a 5 pt harness - in fact they both have a Graco Nautilus - and will be in it until they outgrow it. Most likely that will be height for both especially my daughter since her torso is the same size as her older brother's.
We also have a Regent though so if one of them outgrows the Nautilus and isn't ready for a booster into the Regent they will go!

I'm sure some 5 yr olds are ready for a booster but mine won't be. He fidgets too much to stay sitting right so I wouldn't trust him to stay right on anything but the shortest of rides.

I actually asked one of the parents at preschool the other day about her 3 yr old. He is in a booster so I just mentioned to her that that probably wasn't the safest place for him to be. She went home and researched it and when she came back to pick him up thanked me for mentioning it to her. So sometimes people just don't know and it's good to say something - as long as it's done in an informative manner not an accusing one.

[Marissa]

Very true Courtney and yay to your for your kiddos still being in a 5 point harness seat

[Kimberli]

My friend's SIL turned her 9 month old, who doesn't weigh 20 lbs yet, around to forward facing! She tried to tell her that it wasn't safe but she was more worried about her being able to look around on their 15 hr drive to vacation. Why are people so freaking stupid??!? She can still look around when she's rear facing and be safe!

But it gets better, she put her in a hugh back booster already, kniowing it isn't safe, because the baby didn't like the convertible. What the hell? She's 9 months old - she doesn't know what she likes but regardless, TOO BAD!

People who are that ignorant should be shot!! :mad:

[Marissa]

ITA Kim, you know I went to my SIL's house the other day and her neighbor (Her SIL) has twins (6 months old) so the she was going somewhere and taking the twins with her......she brought them out both in infant seats one unharnessed with a bag of Gerber cookies in his hand and the other harnessed but all loose (you could just pull him out) well anyways I saw the twins (very cute btw) and she loaded the unharnessed one in the front seat w/ no base just the seat itself and just buckled up the seat with teh seatbelt without securing the seat itself, she closed teh door and then loaded the other twin in the backseat same thing just buckled up the seat with the seatbelt not secured and took off I was just mortified.......but did not say anything I hardly know her and um she probably would not listen either........that being said my SIL's kids don't even have carseats ........so stupid.......I don't get it.........I just don't.........

[Kimberli]

Wow, do people just think it won't happen to them? I don't understand why you would endanger your kids life?

[Marissa]

Yup I agree......its very very questionable