I am wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same dilemma as I am! My son just turned 6 and seems so big for his car seat/booster. It is "convertible," meaning we can use the normal seatbelt to buckle him in, but he can't reach around the seat to do it himself, so it's more frustrating (because I have to do it)! Because the car seat regulations have changed so much in the last few years, I feel like a pioneer on this problem. All my older friends' kids were just sitting on the regular seat by 6. But now kids have to be 85 pounds, right? I'm sure someone will invent a solution eventually (if they haven't already). . .just hoping for some ideas from other moms!
Thanks for all the help! I may look into the Turbo Booster since everyone had such rave reviews about it! Just so everyone knows--I ALWAYS adjust the straps for each of my kids and check that they are properly buckled! It just helps when they can do a few clicks themselves! =)
Thanks again for your replies!!
My suggestion, go to Wal-mart (or other store) and get the booster seat, they are no more than $20.00, the kids can put the seat belt on themselves and they are light weight to move to other cars! My son is seven and still needs to be in one and we use this and it is great. The only complait is that sometimes his bags get caught on the arm rests and he pulls the thing out of the car! Good luck only 2 more years to go for car seats!
T.
Things seem to change all the time don't they. For me it wouldn't matter if I had to buckle him or not. I've decided to keep my kids in a 5pt. seat as long as possible. I just bought a Britax Regent which is good for 80lbs.
Last time I checked the law in MN: was in a child restraint seat until age 4. They recommend until age 8 and are trying to change the law to age 8. If I were you I would go with a backless booster or a the Graco Turbo Booster. Those are the easiest to get buckeled. My daughter is 5 and doesn't do well in a booster she slumps over when sleeping and really just doens't enjoy it so the other option which I do is pay a little more money for a carseat that harnesses a higher weight limit than your typical carseat where they outgrow them at around 4 years or 40 lbs. We have a Britax Marathon that will harness a child (not a booster) to 65lbs. and they have a larger Britax called a Regent I believe that will do 80lbs. That is safer and more comfortable for my daughter so that is what we are doing. She can also buckle and unbuckle herself alot easier than using a booster. I know she's probaly the only one in her kindergarten class in a carseat but I don't care and either does my daughter. I have noticed none of my neighbors, and hardly any of my daughters classmates use boosters or anything which is a shame. I know seatbelts donot fit me correctly so I know they won't fit a small child correctly without a booster or carseat. In my opinion too the carseats that go from being a carseat to later on a booster seem to be more of a pain to use later on as a booster positioning the belt correctly.
I know its hard but if you have him keep practicing he can do it. My sons are still in booster sets my one is in an eddie bauer convertible seat and my other son who would get way overwelmed do to his temperment we went and bought just a booster seat for him for 19 dollars at target well worth the money to make life easier. I used to have to hall 5 kids 4 and under to and from preschool 2 days a week so I understand the problem with getting them in and out. Good luck J.
J.:
Children should be in boosters, if the seat belt is cutting across their neck and their legs do not bend over the seat and touch the floor. Also if they do not sit still they should be in a booster. It is safer to use the booster seat. However depending on which state you live in the laws are different. If your in MN then it's an either or rule. I have a 4 year old who still uses a booster, but does not have to because he is 4, it's reccomenned, but not a MUST. I hope this helps if you need more help with this let me know I'm a daycare provider and have items and recources that can help.
T.
You should really be buckling his belt anyway, the failure rate of seatbelts is quite low, however the rate of seatbelt failure triples when children are allowed to hook them because they may not latch them all the way, or tighly enough, or not pull it tightly across thier hips and chest therefore allowing thier body to come over the seatbelt in an accident.
If he is struggling with that seat, maybe try getting him a Graco TurboBooster type seat. HE is big enough for a backless booster, however the boosters with a back provide the wing protection in an accident, and are more comfortable for riding and sleeping in the car. The Turboboosters have arms on them, so the seatbelt could rest on there, so when he gets in he could just grab it and hand it to you to buckle. Thats what works in our car for our almost 5 year old. He grabs the belt and hands it to me, I hook it and pull it tight.
Right now the law in Minnesota is 4 years AND 40lbs, however MN is trying to follow the suit of other states by raising it to 8yrs OR 80lbs.
My daughter is 6 and I still have her in a booster, its a no back booster, so she can easily still buckle her self up...I still check to make sure the belt is postioned and secure on her though :)
I have a four year old...and graco makes a great booster...just the bottom part that my son can strap and unstrap himself in the car...it is I think 30 dollars at target.
cathy
we live in WI where the law changed and kids have to be 8 years old or 80lbs. Our six year old (55lbs) and four year old (45lbs) sit in the backless booster seats. They both can buckle themselves and can see out. I don't mind it at all except we are running out of room in our van because everyone has to be in a seat. *safety first and we will follow the law (if you are caught in the state of WI without your child in a booster seat the first fine is $130. They aren't expensive either. We just got the graco one for $13.
The law in MN states that kids have to be in a car seat until the age of 4. After that they RECOMMEND that you use a car or booster seat until 8 years and 80 lbs. My 4 year old has a high backed booster and I have her buckle herself in while I put the 3 younger ones in and then I pull to tighten the belt across her legs. Let them help with what they can but always double check to make sure they got it in right and tight.
I am considering getting the Britax Regent at Target because it goes up to 80 lbs. with a 5 point harness and it's much safer. It also makes it easier to put seats next to each other and not have to reach between to buckle every time.
I know, because my kids are 1,2,3 and 4, that it can be a pain in the butt to have to buckle them all in yourself but if you ever get in an accident you won't have to blame yourself for not making sure it was done right.
J.
Here is what I found.
Boosters Are For Big Kids
Most kids need to ride in a booster seat from about age 4 until at least age 8-10.
If your child isn’t using a booster, try the simple test below the next time you ride together in the car. You'll probably find that your child is not yet ready to use a safety belt without a booster.
The 5-Step Test.
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat to make both the shoulder belt and the lap belt fit right for the best crash protection. Your child will be more comfortable, too!
I have an almost 10yo still in a booster, he is not tall enought yet to meet the 4 safety points for sitting in a car w/out a booster. Honestly, I never really paid attention to the law; I think it provides the bare minimum for safety and there is other, better info out there to determine the safest way to transport your kids. Height, weight and age are too general IMO.
Here's a list of the 4 safety points to determine whena kid is old enough to ride in a car w/out a booster, I doubt that there are any 6yo's that meet these points.
It may be a pain for you, I think it's important to keep belting him in until he's able to do it on his own. When my oldest was 6 I had a 1yo and an infant..I remember the hassle of using the car all to well ;)
Here's the checklist for riding w/out a booster for when your 6yo is older:
They are tall enough so that their legs bend at the knees at the edge of the seat; and
They are mature enough to remain seated with their backs flat against the back of the seat and not slouch; and
The lap belt sits high on the thighs or low on the hips (NOT on their tummy!); and
The shoulder belt crosses the shoulder and chest (NOT on their arms or neck!)
Some organizations will also give limits like 80 or 100 pounds, 4'9" in height or 8 years old. These are rough guidelines, not absolute limits.
J.,
I am not totally sure about the law now, my good friend seems to think it is 4 that children do not need to be in a booster, however they are trying to change the law until the child weighs 85 lbs. i have a 6 year old daughter and have her in a graco booster with the back still on. It can detach which I will probably do soon but she only weighs 48 pounds. I guess my philosophy is I would rather have her be safe than sorry the way people drive these days. i have a 15 month old as well so I can understand your frustration with it seeming to take forever buckling and unbuckling and so forth. Keep in mind that it isn't going to be forever that they will need or even want your help. It sounds like you are doing the right thing in my mind by having him in the booster.
B.
SAHM Hannah 5 Sam 15 months
