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Original poster

To still use a car seat for my 10 year old?

307 replies

ExcitedButNervous0424 · 03/05/2024 15:46

My son has recently turned 10 and still uses a high backed booster.

When I mentioned this to my friend the other day, whose son is a few months younger than mine, she practically laughed and said she can’t believes I still put my 10 year old in a car seat.

My son is always asking why he still has to use one as apparently, to quote him: “none of my friends do” but it’s always been non-negotiable for me. I always thought he was exaggerating when he said that none of his friends use car seats anymore (not even backless boosters) but judging from my friend’s reaction its made me wonder whether my son is actually right.

My friend said to think about how much I must be embarrassing my son when he has to use a HBB when his friends don’t use anything, but surely car safety isn’t about just letting him do what his friends do?

What’s the norm? Because her reaction really surprised me.

OP posts:
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7
Cece92 · 03/05/2024 18:24

It's a choice but if he's below the minimum height then it's law. My daughter 10 and is 148cm maybe slightly taller she has not been in one for a long time. She is quite tall for her age in fairness (not from me lol) x

Rummikub · 03/05/2024 18:23

Beddgelert · 03/05/2024 18:18

Exactly! You do realise that agreeing with this post has nullified your reasons and the law 😅😂

Edited
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Why does it??

Chocolatebrownieyum · 03/05/2024 18:23

People are very strange about wanting to move kids up and out of car seats. When DD17 was 1yo we had to buy an extended rear facing seat from a special needs company because you couldn't buy them mainstream here even though in other countries they were already widely used. Everyone else I knew moved their babies into forward facing aged 9 months and went on at me about how my 'poor' DD was facing backwards and couldn't see out the front. In fact she had a much better view out of the side and back, and in any case I was much more interested in her safety than her view!

Considering how many people worry unnecessarily about the extremely unlikely event of a car spontaneously bursting into flames at a petrol station when they've left their toddler inside, I find it odd they don't worry about the much more likely scenario of a high-speed car collision.

stargirl1701 · 03/05/2024 18:22

My 11 year old is in booster cushion and my 9 year old is in HBB. 11 year old is 150cm but doesn't meet the 5 point safety test.

Beddgelert · 03/05/2024 18:21

ExcitedButNervous0424 · 03/05/2024 18:06

On the road? Around your local streets?

Or in a venue designed for such a purpose and with vehicles purposefully intended to be driven by children?

I have no idea what you’re trying to achieve on this thread with the
smug level of superiority you seem to think you have?

I promise you that none of us care what sports/hobbies your child does as it is not relevant to this thread in any way.

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BTW normal cars just dual controlled the same as 17 year olds learn in😂

Towerofsong · 03/05/2024 18:20

You could get your rear windows tinted to save him the embarrassment

BlueBlahBlah · 03/05/2024 18:19

My DS is 9 y/o and 138cm but we still use a high back seat, because why not?
I have wondered about it though because I know it’s a case of you CAN stop using them at 135cm, but does that mean you SHOULD?

Beddgelert · 03/05/2024 18:18

ExcitedButNervous0424 · 03/05/2024 18:11

That’s awful!

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Exactly! You do realise that agreeing with this post has nullified your reasons and the law 😅😂

Rummikub · 03/05/2024 18:18

ExcitedButNervous0424 · 03/05/2024 18:11

That’s awful!

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My reply was to this.

Rummikub · 03/05/2024 18:17

Yes! It was.

Cars are not designed with short people in mind. So any safety measures for children I would adhere to. And did.

Beddgelert · 03/05/2024 18:17

ExcitedButNervous0424 · 03/05/2024 18:06

On the road? Around your local streets?

Or in a venue designed for such a purpose and with vehicles purposefully intended to be driven by children?

I have no idea what you’re trying to achieve on this thread with the
smug level of superiority you seem to think you have?

I promise you that none of us care what sports/hobbies your child does as it is not relevant to this thread in any way.

Show quote history

I am not being smug.

I acknowledged the law is the law.

I am just giving you an insight into how different parenting styles and their approach to risk is different from your own.

Original poster
ExcitedButNervous0424 · 03/05/2024 18:11

Rummikub · 03/05/2024 18:08

I wanted to do a skid awareness course and they said I couldn’t as I was too short.
Which now annoys me more as I see there are ten year olds having a go at driving!

That’s awful!

OP posts:
Rummikub · 03/05/2024 18:08

I wanted to do a skid awareness course and they said I couldn’t as I was too short.
Which now annoys me more as I see there are ten year olds having a go at driving!

Original poster
ExcitedButNervous0424 · 03/05/2024 18:06

Beddgelert · 03/05/2024 17:59

My child did young driver experience at 10 years old too!

He passed his driving test at 17 too.

Edited
Show quote history

On the road? Around your local streets?

Or in a venue designed for such a purpose and with vehicles purposefully intended to be driven by children?

I have no idea what you’re trying to achieve on this thread with the
smug level of superiority you seem to think you have?

I promise you that none of us care what sports/hobbies your child does as it is not relevant to this thread in any way.

OP posts:
Beddgelert · 03/05/2024 17:59

ExcitedButNervous0424 · 03/05/2024 17:58

What are you cladding as a pre-teen?

Every child is a pre-teen until they’re 13, so are you talking about 4 year olds? 6 year olds? 10 year olds?

None of which will be driving in “a few short years” 🙄

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My child did young driver experience at 10 years old too!

He passed his driving test at 17 too.

Original poster
ExcitedButNervous0424 · 03/05/2024 17:58

bakewellbride · 03/05/2024 17:51

All these people with pre-teens still in car seats ... in a few short years your kids will be old enough to be DRIVING the car!

What are you cladding as a pre-teen?

Every child is a pre-teen until they’re 13, so are you talking about 4 year olds? 6 year olds? 10 year olds?

None of which will be driving in “a few short years” 🙄

OP posts:
teaandlotusbiscoff · 03/05/2024 17:53

I kept DC in their HBB until it was outgrown a few months prior to turning twelve. Then DC used a backless booster until they passed the five step test at twelve. All their friends stopped at around 8-9, though one was six! We did a lot of long distance driving so it was non-negotiable, plus DC used to fall asleep in the car often (additional needs). The adult seatbelt is designed for above 150cm, other countries i.e. Ireland require car seats up to 150cm

bakewellbride · 03/05/2024 17:51

All these people with pre-teens still in car seats ... in a few short years your kids will be old enough to be DRIVING the car!

Original poster
ExcitedButNervous0424 · 03/05/2024 17:50

widgitfidgit · 03/05/2024 17:47

Snap!

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A quick google will explain why the requirements are related to children and not shorter adults.

OP posts:
Dominoeffecter · 03/05/2024 17:49

My son is 11 and still uses a booster as he is short.

YoongiMarryMe · 03/05/2024 17:49

My DS's had a HBB until they started high school. They were both 12y 9m as both have November birthdays and were deferred. No-one ever commented or teased them about it - it was a total non issue!

Also, we did a lot of long day trips and those head rests were nice and comfy for naps! Even now as older teens they’ll still nap on long journeys but now have to stuff their rolled up hoody against the window and it’s just not the same. Grin

edited for typo

widgitfidgit · 03/05/2024 17:47

SparkyBlue · 03/05/2024 16:40

Going by the comments on here I should be in a HBB which obviously isn't going to happen

Snap!

Birch101 · 03/05/2024 17:46

I don't know what the norm is but this is what I will be following for my child-

Extended rear facing until 125cm or 36kg whatever comes first, then a high back booster until outgrown and they pass the 5 step test.

To still use a car seat for my 10 year old?
User284732 · 03/05/2024 17:46

tinofbeans · 03/05/2024 17:30

My 10 year old is 137cm and still in a high backed booster. He's still below the weight limit of the booster and it makes the seatbelt sit in a much safer position across his chest.

When he gets too heavy for it, we'll review the situation. I don't understand people who ditch them early tbh

I've done some research on this, and for high backed boosters that use a seatbelt and not a harness, it is only the height that is important. Basically they are safe to use over the weight limit they advertise if still under 150cm.

Panda89 · 03/05/2024 17:46

YANBU - car seat quality and safety has always been a priority for me.
DD is 7.5 , small and very slim, she is still harnessed in a joie bold (she still has a way to go before she is 25kg) and once she is 25kg will use the HBB for a while as she is so teeny.