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Original poster

Please tell me the truth about car seats…

190 replies

PrincessFionaCharming · 09/04/2024 00:31

…for kids aged 8+

I have a nearly-10 year old. She’s fairly average height in her class. She still uses a high backed booster for long car journeys on the motorway etc, and she has a booster cushion thing in our second car which we literally use for the 5 minute school run when it’s raining and that’s it.

My understanding is that this is the law. But Literally NONE of her friends appear to use a car seat these days. Booster cushion or otherwise. They just leap into the front seat when they are picked up and off they go.

I have always been super strict about car seats. My daughter has never really complained about her car seat, she just gets on with it and that’s the way it is. She has recently asked a few times however why she’s not allowed to sit in the front (or back) with no seat when her friends are. I just say that’s up to their parents but I don’t think
it’s the safest option.

But honestly, what is the truth here? Are most 9-10 year olds still using car seats?? Is that the reality? I genuinely assumed they were, If it’s the law, but now I’m not sure!

OP posts:
BigMandyHarris · 09/04/2024 01:07

PrincessFionaCharming · 09/04/2024 00:44

I feel really weird about the prospect of her not requiring a car seat any more 😂

Why?

KlongDuplo · 09/04/2024 01:04

Who cares what other people do? You continue using car seats until you are satisfied that's she's safe without one. A checklist like this one will help you and your child decide when to lose the booster. And it might be that in some seats, no booster is needed, big in others it is. https://thecarseatlady.com/the-5-step-test-your-way-to-know-if-a-child-can-ride-safely-without-a-booster/

The height /age recommendations are so arbitrary when you look into them. There are SO many factors that affect how well a seat belt protects an individual - the shape of seat, the position (and adjustability) of the shoulder guide, the relative length of your torso to your height, your weight, distance from airbag, height relative to airbag, etc, etc.

Let's face it, cars and car safely features are designed for the 'average' male. And change is slow. Quite frankly, as a 5'2 woman, I would be safer if I used a booster seat in a lot of cars. And more comfortable too. I have a short torso and seat belts generally do not sit comfortably on me. I love that most cars now have height adjustable seats in the front so I can actually sit comfortably.

My kids (and their friends) have become used to me checking their fit in different seats in the car. And if I say they needed a booster, they either use it or find another lift! There are complaints at times - "she's only 10, why does she get to sit without a booster?" And I just tell them the criteria I'm using to decide "Well, her torso is quite long and I've put her in the middle of the row where the base of the seat is a bit higher - the seat belt fits across her shoulders and hips." There are no complaints once they can see the logic for it.

purpleme12 · 09/04/2024 01:03

I think a lot of people probably do stop using them sooner than they should.

Irememberitalltoowell14 · 09/04/2024 01:01

I’m in a similar position with DD9 questioning why she still has to use a car seat or booster when all her friends (including some who are shorter than her) are telling her they don’t. I’ve also heard it directly from their parents too so know the kids aren’t making it up. Their parents say they are tall enough but I’ve seen them stood next to DD and they are definitely shorter than her.

She is still below the legal limit of 135cm so I’ve told her regardless of what friends are doing she has to keep using hers until she is tall enough to ride without one by law. I’m baffled by it all to be honest!

T4qn · 09/04/2024 00:58

It goes on height not age. You need to measure her.

NavyPeer · 09/04/2024 00:45

PrincessFionaCharming · 09/04/2024 00:41

She’s about 128cm I think? Her friends all seem of a similar height but in fairness I haven’t measured them…

You’d need to get a tape measure out then to determine whether parents ‘give a shit’ or not

WHO places 138cm as 50th centile for 10 year old girls

many of her classmates would have surpassed 135cm

its not just age

Original poster
PrincessFionaCharming · 09/04/2024 00:44

I feel really weird about the prospect of her not requiring a car seat any more 😂

OP posts:
Feeltoooldtostudybutdoingitanyway · 09/04/2024 00:43

Mine both stayed in high backed boosters until the last year of primary, eldest was earlier in the year, youngest later because he grew later.

Original poster
PrincessFionaCharming · 09/04/2024 00:41

She’s about 128cm I think? Her friends all seem of a similar height but in fairness I haven’t measured them…

OP posts:
Original poster
PrincessFionaCharming · 09/04/2024 00:40

Yes. I know this. But the reality around here appears to be that no one gives a shit so I was wondering if this is a more widespread thing.

OP posts:
NavyPeer · 09/04/2024 00:40

How tall is she?

the law is 135cm or 12th birthday- whatever comes first

135cm is around 4 foot 5, which is fairly average for a ten year old

Itsokish · 09/04/2024 00:40

My children were definitely not in car seats over the age of 5 . Booster seats were the alternative after that age..

DianaTaverner · 09/04/2024 00:39

My DCs used high back booster until they were about 12 I think (both on the short side). It was no less comfortable for them, it gave them a slightly better view, and it's slightly safer, so they never questioned it at all. Mind you, as London children they never saw their schoolmates in cars: we only ever used them for trips away to see families.

BeardieWeirdie · 09/04/2024 00:39

If she’s over 135cm, she isn’t required to use one.