I wish someone could explain to me why my son who is turning 7 has to go in a booster seat and my daughter that is 8 and actually smaller than him doesn't have to be in one. Our state is 4'9, 80 pounds or through 7 years. Both of my kids have a booster seat and use them no matter what but here is my son 4'5 and 64 pounds and my daughter is 4'1 and 45 pounds but the law says he has to be in one and she doesn't. Does anyone else understand this does our government think that an 8 year old is less valuable than a 7 year old or what. And why do some parents throw a fit over making sure their child is safe and in a booster seat I mean if they came out with a seat that they said would make my 14 year old safer she would be in one as well.
2006-09-12 10:40:44 · 7 answers · asked by Martha S 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
If I read what you wrote correctly, your 8 year old does have to be in a booster because she is under 80 lbs. It depends on how the law reads. Does it say you have to comply with only one component of the list or all of them? I don't think the government thinks and 8 yr old is less important than a 7 year old but they can only put so many qualification in the law to make it understandable. It would make more sense if they just put a height and weight limit on booster requirements. Kind of like the carnival, "you must be this beg to ride this ride". I don't know what age has to do with it.
2006-09-12 11:37:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure of your State's law, but all of the public service announcements I see about car seats say that all children under 4'9" need to be in a booster seat. I bet your State is just assuming that by 8 years of age most kids are over the height and weight limit for those seats. All states should just adopt the standards that the safety councils say are the best, that is the best way to make sure all kids are safe. I know my daughter is tiny for her age, she is almost 7 and is often mistaken for a 4 year old based on how little she is. I know I'm not the only one out there with a smaller child, so I agree with the point you are making.
2006-09-12 17:48:24 · answer #2 · answered by nimo22 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The law was probably made considering that the average 8-year old is larger than the average 7-year old. Since they are both under the height and weight limits, use a booster seat for both.
2006-09-12 17:52:34 · answer #3 · answered by Jenni77 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most 8 year olds are bigger than most 7 year olds. So put your 8 year old in a booster (my 8 year old is still in one) and move on with life.
2006-09-12 17:45:02 · answer #4 · answered by ChemGeek 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your daughter should be in a booster seat!!! she is too small regardless of her age. I live in Canada and our law doesn't say an age just pounds (80). Any child under 80 lbs should be in a booster seat.
2006-09-12 17:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by Greeneyed 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The age is just a guideline. They need to have a cut of point.
I understand what you are saying. It should go on height and weight. Because thats were it really counts.
2006-09-12 17:50:39 · answer #6 · answered by DY Beach 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As far as I'm concerned, as long as everyone is buckled in and otherwise secured, booster seats are a total waste of cash. Plus, as they grow you have to keep getting bigger seats. And about the 14 year old...she is either in high school or in 8th grade. Booster seats at that age, are totally sick.
2006-09-12 17:52:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋