Car seat dilemma

[Anonymous]

My DC is three years old and big for his age. He is in the 40 pound range and is like three feet tall. In general I love and respect my MB with very few problems in general. I have my own car seat for DC which is an older toddler seat which I will agree he is definitely pretty much grown out of. We have been talking about getting a booster seat for my car. She thinks in a couple pounds he will be ready for a backless booster seat. I disagree and think he needs to be in the 5 point harness until he cannot possibly fit any longer. It is just the safest way to go.

I think she is wrong and even offered to by my own seat but she says he is too big for the harness and that it won't hold him in anymore. It really bothers me. It has kind of turned into a little passive aggressive argument between us. I care about DC so much and will probably be one of those freaks who rear faces forever when I have children of my own.

I know there are seats that go up to 100 pounds with the harness. What do y'all think about it? I have thought about showing her what the NHTSA says on the subject but I feel like that would be condescending....especially because I am only 21.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for any typos. Typed out on my phone just before nap time

[Anonymous]

Show her the professional recommendations that indicate he should be in a 5 point harness and explain that bc of those guidelines you are t comfortable with the liability of having him in anything less secure. This is your job so don't feel uncomfortable or like its condescending at all.

[Anonymous]

You drive him in your car so they need to listen to your safety requirements. Just tell her you will not drive him unless he's in a 5 pt harness and send her a link with boosters you approve of and information about carseat safety.
If anything happened to this kid in your car, your the one being sued.

[Anonymous]

OP is more responsible than the parent here. Absolutely do not compromise your safety standards, especially on the road. You can easily go to jail if you were found to be negligent, after any kind of car crash. God forbid the child died. Don't take that kind of risk, OP, no matter what the parents tell you.

[nannydebsays]

I would start with saying something like:

MB, I would like to show you current laws and current recommendations on appropriate car seats for DC. I know we both want dc to be in the safest seat possible when he is riding in my car. I believe the safest seat for him is one of the following (show her info on 2 or 3 seats that fit correctly in your car and are safety/age appropriate.) because of X, Y, and Z factors.

If she poo-poos you, I would just buy whatever car seat you are comfortable with him using in your car, and tell her that for insurance purposes you chose to install that seat.

[Anonymous]

i have a 41/2 year old charge who is in a 5 point harness in my car and a regular seat belt booster in his moms car and shes fine with that.

[Anonymous]

3 is too young for a seatbelt booster - whether it is highback or backless.

Get a seat with a 5 point harness that fits him (height and weight). You can get a seat that can serve as a booster later on - like the Britax Frontier or Graco Nautilus.

[Anonymous]

Your're car, you driving, you make the rules. I would get an Harmony (forget the full name) or an Evenflo Securekid. Both are reasonably priced. We have the Evenflo and its a nice seat. You are 100% right.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for the support you guys! And there was no nastiness on this thread! Hehe. It will be hard for me to stand my ground on this issue (not my style) but it really is important to me.

[Anonymous]

Not sure where you are but VA says they have to be 4 to be in a booster seat.

[Anonymous]

My TWO year old is that size. Slightly taller actually. I keep fretting about growing out of carseats ( well, growing out if everything) early.