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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To keep using a high back booster seat for my 8 year old?

60 replies

Ifcatshadthumbs · 16/01/2014 19:48

He thinks I am (obviously) and a few people have commented questioned why he still has it and not a booster cushion. Most of his friends use a booster cushion and few don't use anything.

My main reason is it gives added protection plus he does fall asleep on long journeys so more comfortable for him.

Am I an over protective meaner though?

OP posts:
PPaka · 16/01/2014 19:50

No
Yanbu

Dogonabeanbag · 16/01/2014 19:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Ifcatshadthumbs · 16/01/2014 19:54

Thank you I just think the longer I can get away with the safer it is for journeys.

When is too old though? I'm guessing age 9/10 might be even more uncool for him?

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 16/01/2014 19:55

We do it too, for the same reasons. And we pour scorn on people that comment Wink.

MothershipG · 16/01/2014 19:57

No, both of mine had theirs until they were about 10. The AA website says use them up to 135cm.

ilovepowerhoop · 16/01/2014 19:57

Dd has not long stopped using hers and she is 10. She is over the height and the weight limit for the booster seats.

ChablisLover · 16/01/2014 19:59

Yanbu

We still use them for ds (7) and can't see stopping soon

I find the booster cushions too flimsy iykwim

Much prefer the protection the back and sides give ds

Robinredboobs · 16/01/2014 20:00

Are you sure it's actually safer though? Have you checked the seat's maximum weight/height because I'm thinking if his neck is not in the correct position on the seat that could be quite dangerous?

oneofthosedays · 16/01/2014 20:01

My Dd is 10 and still has hers - 5cm to go before she is tall enough to ditch it, she does get a bit of flack at school because her two closest friends are very tall for their age and haven't had one for a while. I explained why it was important to keep using it until she is tall enough which has pacified her for now! Not had any comments from other adults though.

meboo · 16/01/2014 20:08

My son turned 10 when we stopped using it, that was because he was too tall for it. However he misses it because it was comfy to sleep in, it's horrible seeing him all scrunched up now when he sleeps in the car.

BillyNotQuiteNoMates · 16/01/2014 20:13

I did - actually it was my DCs own choice as they found them more comfortable. Just make sure that the seatbelt starts on or above his shoulder. The back of the seat should be high enough to allow this, or he is not safer.

BillyNotQuiteNoMates · 16/01/2014 20:14

oneofthosedays the minimum height limit of 135cm is for the use of a booster without a back, not a high backed seat.

MyCarHasBrokenDownAgain · 16/01/2014 20:17

My DS is 8, we still use ours in both cars. The back has quite a lot of room for adjustment, so it would still provide support for his head if we were in a side impact collision.

Sirzy · 16/01/2014 20:19

YANBU.

It seems a lot of people aren't aware of the car seat rules, or the reasons for keeping children in the right seat for as long as possible.

DS is 4 and I am amazed how many of his peers are picked up from school and put onto booster cushions or no seat at all :(

TeenAndTween · 16/01/2014 20:34

YANBU.

If the high back still fits him and helps to put the seatbelt in the right place not cutting his neck off then it is better than a booster seat without a back.

My DD is small 9 and will be in hers until it is outgrown.

Original poster
Ifcatshadthumbs · 16/01/2014 20:34

He's definitely not above the maximum height or weight yet. Glad I'm not the only one who insists on using them. I must admit I am surprised by how many of his friends have no booster at all.

OP posts:
BillyNotQuiteNoMates · 16/01/2014 20:57

My DD is 5 and loads of her friends aren't on any kind of booster at all. I don;t understand why. She uses a high back in our car, but I would admit to just using a booster if someone else is giving her a lift for a short distance.

Lambzig · 16/01/2014 21:27

Must admit, I was a bit shocked that my friend is using one of those trunki booster cushions for her 3.5 year old. She is a delicate little thing and I can't imagine she is anywhere the weight minimum yet.

I can't imagine letting DD out of her booster seat until at least ten, but she is petite. If your DS is below the 135cm, And it fits him, I would carry on using it.

3rdnparty · 16/01/2014 21:33

ds(9) is above the height limit but we still use it I like the side protection... he has no choice Grin

sherbetpips · 16/01/2014 21:36

The head rest thing I understand although at what age do your kids still nap? Please don't think these seat backs offer protection, they simply position the seatbelt correctly, the same as the red seatbelt buckle you get on the booster seats.

ilovepowerhoop · 16/01/2014 21:46

they have side impact protection for the sides of the body and the head and dont just make sure the belt is in the right place. high backed boosters are safer thsn just a booster cushion

ilovepowerhoop · 16/01/2014 21:47

and not all booster cushions have a strap

Original poster
Ifcatshadthumbs · 17/01/2014 08:21

I disagree that they don't offer protection in fact I read that they offer 60% more protection in the event of a side impact crash.

OP posts:
motherinferior · 17/01/2014 08:23

DD2 will be 11 in June and still has to be in one, poor love. She is tiny. It's highly embarrassing for her, but it's the law and I can see why.

Pascha · 17/01/2014 08:31

I think demonstrates what the point of a high back booster is in the event of a crash.