My son is 2 1/2 and in a backless booster seat???

Question

My son is 2 1/2 and wont be 3 until march 18th and his father and aunt had him in a backless booster seat, can i turn them in and if so what will happen? last time i checked they had to be in a carseat until age 4 and then a booster seat until age 8

Answer 1

There are "recommendations" made by car/booster seat manufacturers... and then there are "laws" in each state. What, how, and when those laws are enforced is another story. You need to find out exactly what the law is in your state.

If you don't do that, though, here's a bit of important info: Even more important than your son's age is his size - height and weight are a better indicator of whether or not a child ought to be in a particular seat than his/her age. I've seen some 4 year olds who probably weigh as much as my 11 year old (according to the height/weight restrictions, my daughter technically could still be in booster seat). So, take your son's size into consideration.

Finally, before you go off to call the police or social services, have you spoken to your son's father and aunt about your concern? You sound a bit eager to get them into trouble. I have a question for you: Is this really about your son's safety? Or is this about bad blood between you and your son's father? Just a piece of advice: focus on being an attentive, loving mother. Part of doing that involves maturity and forethought. This means that if your son's father did something unsafe and you are made aware of it, you educate him. If he continues to make unsafe choices regarding your son, then you notify a professional and take the necessary legal steps. Otherwise, you're just being immature and vindictive and using your son as a tool to try to upset your ex... and beware of that, because your son will be the one who gets hurt... and isn't that what you're trying to prevent?

In the end, unless your ex provides a truly unsafe environment (drugs, violence/abuse/neglect), just be glad he's trying to be a part of his son's life. And before you go off running half-****** to the authorities (which will just make you look like an unstable ***) try talking to your son's father. Perhaps it's just a case of ignorance (not stupidity or purposeful endangerment) and he just needs someone to show him the way.

If your son's only 2 1/2 you're going to need a lot more patience than you're showing right now to get you through the next 20 years.

Answer 2

He has to be at least 40 pounds and at least 4 years old by law to be in a booster seat. So while you could put him in a booster seat if he gains 2 pounds in the next 5 months it is NOT the safest. It is safest to keep him in a 5 point harness! There is no reason you can't keep him in a 5 point harness when they have 5 point harnesses that go up to 65pounds, and even 80pounds!!! Think about it this is your childs life. A child can easily submarine (slide out from under the seatbelt) of a booster! Especially if they don't sit still for very long which many 4 year olds don't. You know your child best but if this were me I wouldn't put a just turned 4 year old in a booster.

Answer 3

There is no way that a 2 1/2 year old should be in a booster seat - especially a backless booster. If they won't comply, then yes, turn them in.

Answer 4

It depends on where you live. However a child can be in a booster seat w/ back at 30 lbs. and should be in a seat until they are 7 or 8.

Answer 5

I would DEFINITELY report them to the police.

They have to be in a solid fitting seat until about 80 lbs.

DO NOT LET THEM ENDANGER YOUR CHILD.

Answer 6

I WOULD AND THEY WOULD LIKELY BE FINED AND THE CPS WOULD INVESTIGATE THEM.