Friend said he doesn't use car seat

[Anonymous]

I'd tell her that she will be using a booster in your car and if she is not willing, you will call her parents to pick her up. Your car, your rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aren't boosters required by law until age 8?

No, they are not.

Yes, they are. It would be good if cars got stickers for the dash and maybe the rear seats upon registration with the state's occupant restraint laws. Maybe something like http://www.safercar.gov/parents/CarSeats/Right-Car-Seat-Age-Size.htm?view=full, with updated age cutoffs. States could even mail replacement stickers if there's a change.

Maryland has a height limit of 4'9" where you don't need booster.

Yes. Virginia and DC don't have this exception.

And, even if you meet the exception, the law where the ticket is issued rules - so if you are driving in DC or VA, your kid needs to be in a booster. The exception would only apply when you are driving in MD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a playdate with a friend of DC who got into our backseat and pushed aside the booster seat. I had picked child up from their young nanny. The child who just turned 7 told me she doesn't use car seats in her family car. (I do remember seeing this child climb into their family car with no car seat before). I was driving them some distance and the seat belt without the booster was across child's neck (she tried putting it behind her back and using the lower one only). I told her that in my car she would have to use the booster for safety, which she did with little complaint. What would you have done? I feel weird saying anything to the parent because I don't think they use booster seats.

Why would you say anything? I think the fact that you drive a car is killing the planet and you are a selfish horrific person.

But, would I say that to you? Probably not.

See? You just smile and say "Thanks for letting Emily come over" and then bitch on DCUM like all of us do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aren't boosters required by law until age 8?

No, they are not.

In DC and VA boosters (or harnessed car seats) are required without exception for passengers under age 8. In MD they are required under age 8 unless the passenger is at least 4'9''.

Oop, guess I should still be in a booster at only 4'8"!

[Anonymous]

I don't even understand your question. Kid complied, without complaint. What would you have possibly done?? Bitched to the other mom that you think she's a bad parent? Seriously?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a playdate with a friend of DC who got into our backseat and pushed aside the booster seat. I had picked child up from their young nanny. The child who just turned 7 told me she doesn't use car seats in her family car. (I do remember seeing this child climb into their family car with no car seat before). I was driving them some distance and the seat belt without the booster was across child's neck (she tried putting it behind her back and using the lower one only). I told her that in my car she would have to use the booster for safety, which she did with little complaint. What would you have done? I feel weird saying anything to the parent because I don't think they use booster seats.

I've ran into this situation with my daughter's friend and my rules are the same as yours, in my car you ride in a booster and I hand my booster over to any parent who is driving my daughter. Before I had children I had a friend carpooling kids in her car, her kid had a booster and the friend did not because her parents said she doesn't use them. Well they were involved in an accident and the friend died. The seat belt was not position correctly on the non boostered child and she suffered severe bleeding from a ruptured spleen. The parent of friend sued my friend and won. The law states in booster until 8 so she also received a ticket. If you transport a kid in your car regardless of what the child does in there own car you are LIABLE. Unless you have people sign waivers before driving there kid and even then there are loopholes around it.

I would tell the parent your rules and tell her the law requires a booster. However, be prepared to have her tell you not to tell her how to parent and about how overprotective you are being. This happened to me when I said something to the parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a playdate with a friend of DC who got into our backseat and pushed aside the booster seat. I had picked child up from their young nanny. The child who just turned 7 told me she doesn't use car seats in her family car. (I do remember seeing this child climb into their family car with no car seat before). I was driving them some distance and the seat belt without the booster was across child's neck (she tried putting it behind her back and using the lower one only). I told her that in my car she would have to use the booster for safety, which she did with little complaint. What would you have done? I feel weird saying anything to the parent because I don't think they use booster seats.

I've ran into this situation with my daughter's friend and my rules are the same as yours, in my car you ride in a booster and I hand my booster over to any parent who is driving my daughter. Before I had children I had a friend carpooling kids in her car, her kid had a booster and the friend did not because her parents said she doesn't use them. Well they were involved in an accident and the friend died. The seat belt was not position correctly on the non boostered child and she suffered severe bleeding from a ruptured spleen. The parent of friend sued my friend and won. The law states in booster until 8 so she also received a ticket. If you transport a kid in your car regardless of what the child does in there own car you are LIABLE. Unless you have people sign waivers before driving there kid and even then there are loopholes around it.

I would tell the parent your rules and tell her the law requires a booster. However, be prepared to have her tell you not to tell her how to parent and about how overprotective you are being. This happened to me when I said something to the parent.

But why would you need to say anything to the parent?? The OP had a booster in her car, other kid complied and sat in the booster. Ergo, OP's liability is not at issue. What's the benefit to saying something to the other parent? Just to rag on them?