Age need Carseat question

[Anonymous]

We hanged out with another family past weekend, and we found out that their kid did not use any carseat or booster seat for a while. Both of our kids are same age, 7 year old abd similar height. The only difference is we live in Maryland, and they live in Virginia. My kid is still in 3 point harness car seat, and that carseat cam convert into high back seat belt or backless booster seatbelt option. Now, he complains to me occassionally that why the other kid does not even have any car seat or backless booster seat installed.

I raised the question to the other family and they told me that their kid do not need any car seat. I told them I thought a kid has to be at least 8 year old or something, and then they say their kid does not like to sit in car seat. Well, I have explained to my kid that once he turns 8, I will convert his car seat into high back booster seatbell option, and I tell him that I don't want him from dying if we end up in car accident one day. Why do other families ignore the carseat law?

[Anonymous]

You’re a superior parent. End of story.

Like you, we keep our petit 10 year old in a 5 point harness. Her older brother is 12 and still sits in a high back booster. I plan to allow them to ride in the front seat at 15.

We prioritize safety over peer pressure.

[Anonymous]

We'd all be safer in a 5 point harness. I'm still not going to keep an elementary schooler in a 5 point. We ditched the high back around 6, still in a booster around 7 so the seatbelt hits the right spot.

[Anonymous]

Because other families can do what they want and it's not your business.

[Anonymous]

The law in va is booster until age 8. So I personally judge families whose kids don't use anything before that age because its a clearly stated rule and my kids know that and so the they're all like "Johnny's mom is breaking the law!" And that is awkward. After age 8 I think it is very kid and family dependent. How big is your kid? How well do they sit still? How much do you drive? How risk averse are you? I don't judge on these things, because each situation is different and I'm really only worried about what's best for us.

Fwiw I am driving my 8 year old and two friends to the park today and I asked both other parents their car seat preference. One kid is in a high back still and one doesn't use anything. Our son uses a booster. So all 3 kids have different seats. Its fine.

[Anonymous]

I carpool a lot of kids and it’s very common, though still a minority, for first graders not to use a booster. I have a bumble bum they use in my car, but no point in policing other families’ choices. I see more kids going without a booster at all in third grade, which is about 8 years per most state laws. My kids are tall and hit 4’9” around age 9, and I haven’t had any pushback (yet at least) on keeping them in a backless booster until then. Though once they’re 4’6” or so they seem to fit correctly in most cars, so I’m not militant about them bringing the bumble bum for local, one-off city carpools.

[Anonymous]

My 11 year old uses a high back booster and will likely continue to do so for for the next year or so.

[Anonymous]

Be careful about judging other parents when you aren't even following the safest course of action. Safety recommendations go by height and weight, not age (regardless of any minimum requirements mandated by law). So depending on your child's size, for you to go by age alone may be contrary to best practices. I'm sure other, more careful parents are wondering why you are so unsafe.

[Anonymous]

Each family is different and has different rules. We make choices that our best for our family. I can't believe you asked the other parent.

Also differ states have different laws regarding safety. Regardless of state laws, it's each parents responsibility to decide what's right for their family in the end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Each family is different and has different rules. We make choices that best suit our family. I can't believe you asked the other parent.

Also differ states have different laws regarding safety. Regardless of state laws, it's each parents responsibility to decide what's right for their family in the end.

[Anonymous]

The judgment in the OP is ironic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Each family is different and has different rules. We make choices that our best for our family. I can't believe you asked the other parent.

Also differ states have different laws regarding safety. Regardless of state laws, it's each parents responsibility to decide what's right for their family in the end.

Yes but that family is violating the law. I am comfortable judging parents who think their kid’s opinion is more important than the law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Each family is different and has different rules. We make choices that our best for our family. I can't believe you asked the other parent.

Also differ states have different laws regarding safety. Regardless of state laws, it's each parents responsibility to decide what's right for their family in the end.

Yes but that family is violating the law. I am comfortable judging parents who think their kid’s opinion is more important than the law.

You can report them to the authorities. As you should do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We'd all be safer in a 5 point harness. I'm still not going to keep an elementary schooler in a 5 point. We ditched the high back around 6, still in a booster around 7 so the seatbelt hits the right spot.

Exactly. At some point it all gets to be ridiculous. Taken to the extreme, we'd all have race seats, 6-pt harnesses, helmets, HANS, full roll cages, Nomex suit, and fire suppression in our cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’re a superior parent. End of story.

Like you, we keep our petit 10 year old in a 5 point harness. Her older brother is 12 and still sits in a high back booster. I plan to allow them to ride in the front seat at 15.

We prioritize safety over peer pressure.

When will you allow them to drive? 20?