Does your small, young 7th grader ride in the front seat?
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Anonymous
| It appears most of my kids' friends ride in the front seat of their parents' car, but it was my understanding that because of air bags, we should wait until my 12 year old weighs more? Any thoughts? |
Anonymous
|
I followed the 5 point test:
1. butt against back of the seat 2. knees bent and feet on the floor 3. lap belt across thighs 4. should strap between neck and shoulders 5. can sit like that for the entire ride The airbag won't deploy unless the weight is enough. Though my 45 pound dog has set the sensor off before so I don't trust it too much. We also keep the front seat pretty far back when she sits there. So for short distances, yes, my 12-year-old is fine. For anything more than 20-30 minutes, she gets restless so she sits in the back. |
Anonymous
| Back is fine even after they are 12 or meet height |
Anonymous
| Kid #1 sat in backseat until somewhere between 14 and 15 when I wanted to start talking about driving. Kid #2 sometimes in front at 13. Both were about 100 lbs and 5 feet plus before sitting in front. |
Anonymous
| DS is a small 7th grader, 4'9" and about 80lbs. He does not sit in the front seat. But in our state the law is now 13, so I use that to him as our main reasoning. |
Anonymous
| 5 point rule and 13. |
Anonymous
| Normal size kid sat in the back until she was 13. Thats the guideline. I don’t care what other people do. I was an EMT for 10 years do safety is important. |
Anonymous
| I waited until 13. It’s actually the law in my state that they have to 13, unless there is not a back seat available |
Anonymous
I have heard other safety professionals say this about their own children. Kids are used to sitting in the back. Leave them there until they need to learn roads and road sense for driving. |
Anonymous
| I also don’t care what others do. I don’t allow my 12 year old 7th grader to sit in the front because of airbags and it’s just overall safer in the back. She gave me some pushback at the beginning of the year but now it’s just routine. |
Anonymous
| 5’ 1 and 78lbs. Nope |
Anonymous
| There are some 12 yo girls who are fully adult sized. I'm sure they're fine in the front. My late bloomer is still sitting in the back and will be for a while. |
Anonymous
| Mine does not. |
Anonymous
| No. I told him 13 was the minimum, we can discuss it then if he can fit the seat/belt properly at that point. |
Anonymous
|
My 5’5” 130 lb 13YO always rides in the back seat unless we have guests in the car and someone needs to move to the front.
I think he likes it back there. It’s safer and he’s never complained about it or asked to sit in the front. He’s taller than me and weighs more than I do. |