I just waited until 13 since it’s what the AAP recommends. My son was tall enough earlier, but we just said 13 was what we were going with.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I feel better about making my middle schooler sit in the back seat now, thanks

DCUM is not representative. They rear face until 5 and breastfeed until 3.

OP here, this is the opposite of what I've experienced on this website but my kids must be older than yours

The carpool lane at our elementary school as 3rd graders in the front seat. Mine were allowed since middle school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I feel better about making my middle schooler sit in the back seat now, thanks

DCUM is not representative. They rear face until 5 and breastfeed until 3.

I posted earlier and did both of these, hahaha

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I feel better about making my middle schooler sit in the back seat now, thanks

DCUM is not representative. They rear face until 5 and breastfeed until 3.

Anonymous wrote: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

What state is that?

Anonymous wrote: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.

That is … pretty wild.

I’m firm on 13 and if they were small, not even then.

OP here, I feel better about making my middle schooler sit in the back seat now, thanks

Anonymous wrote:Back is fine even after they are 12 or meet height

Of course everyone knows this. I see kids weighing 50 lbs in the front seat. Back is safer but kids want to sit in front so parents let them. Same with in high school, parents want kids to be cool so they buy them alcohol.

Never. “But everyone else did!” would be the worst thing to say at the Er or a funeral.

I did not allow DS to ride in the front seat until he was 13, which was 8th grade. I had read somewhere about the possible damage from air bags and collision into the front panel under a certain weight and before puberty was more damaging then a similar collision in the back seat. DS was 5'5 and 125 pounds at 13, the seat belt fit him fine, and he is not a wriggly kid int he car so 13 seemed reasonable.

We wait till 13 unless the car is too full with smaller people. My 14 year old still rides in the back mostly, which I think is weird, lol. She’s my size, so could totally be up front. I think she likes that she doesn’t have to pay attention in the back.

I’ll probably force the issue soon, so she is better prepared for driving.

My 12 year old hasn’t ever ridden in the front. Most of her friends have been since 5th grade or so, but she hasn’t complained.

Mine didn't and I also don't care what others do. She recently sat in the front at 14 for the first time and only then because we didn't have enough seats in the back. I will drive better with her in the back, plus she prefers it and hadn't ever requested the front, not that I would have allowed it before 13 anyway.

No front seat until the age/weight/height requirement for your state has been reached by your child.

Otherwise we don’t concern ourselves with what other parents allow.