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Original poster

Booster seat 12 year ?

11 replies

DisplayRabbit · 17/10/2025 12:09

Hi everyone! So my 12-year-old hasn’t used a booster seat for about a year and a half, but recently he had to sit in his 10-year-old brother’s backless Graco booster because there wasn’t enough space in the car.

To my surprise, he was so calm. Normally he’s pretty restless and moves around a lot during rides, but that time he sat quietly the whole trip. It really seemed to help him settle down, maybe because of the armrests or the extra support.

He’s still on the smaller side for his age technically still within the height and weight range for a booster and honestly, he fit in it just fine. I took him out of it mostly because he asked me to; none of his friends use one anymore, and he’s almost a teenager.

The funny part is his reaction. He got in and immediately went, “Ugh, this booster smells like a little kid!” 😂 (His brother’s seat definitely has that kid smell, especially after sports practice.) But even though he complained, I could tell he didn’t actually hate being in it. He was calmer, safer, and honestly seemed comfortable.

Now I’m torn I know he’d probably be embarrassed if I told him he needs a booster again, especially in front of his school, but I really feel like it makes a difference. For his safety and for my sanity on car rides!

Has anyone else dealt with something similar? Did your older kid ever go back to using a booster for comfort or safety reasons

OP posts:
DiscoBob · 17/10/2025 12:10

You 'took him out of it', as in he couldn't get out independently?

I'd imagine it would be social suicide to insist on such a thing. He showed his embarrassment with his comment about the smell.

Ooogle · 17/10/2025 12:11

What’s his height and weight? I have a 13 year old who would be horrified at the idea but is also way too tall so it doesn’t matter really. Is there anything else he could have to make car journeys more comfortable instead like a cushion or something else?

lanthanum · 17/10/2025 12:26

It might be worth talking to him about what you noticed, and that he did seem more comfortable. If he agrees, maybe you look at getting him a booster again for longer journeys (when school friends are not going to know). His own booster, so it doesn't smell of younger brother, and not when you're giving other kids lifts if that is going to embarrass him.
When mine no longer needed the booster seat, she still found it more comfortable to use it if she was sat in the front.

GoodVibesHere · 17/10/2025 12:28

I don't think an almost-teenager would want to be in a booster seat

Original poster
DisplayRabbit · 17/10/2025 12:30

lanthanum · 17/10/2025 12:26

It might be worth talking to him about what you noticed, and that he did seem more comfortable. If he agrees, maybe you look at getting him a booster again for longer journeys (when school friends are not going to know). His own booster, so it doesn't smell of younger brother, and not when you're giving other kids lifts if that is going to embarrass him.
When mine no longer needed the booster seat, she still found it more comfortable to use it if she was sat in the front.

Yeah, my younger one’s backless Graco booster picks up smells so fast, especially after sports practice. I wash the cover, but the plastic part still keeps that smell somehow, haha.

And yeah, that’s exactly what I was thinking I don’t want to make him feel awkward, but I also want him to be safe. What worries me is when his little brother doesn’t need a booster anymore, he might notice that his big brother still uses one while he doesn’
t.

OP posts:
Bitzee · 17/10/2025 12:31

I think it would be a bit embarrassing to be a 12YO sat in a car seat if you give lifts to friends or drive him to school where he’ll be seem by his peers. Probably better to just tell him to stop fidgeting and if he doesn’t get car sick maybe keep a book in the car he can read. Oh and wash the cover because it sounds grim if you can smell it like that.

Bitzee · 17/10/2025 12:36

DisplayRabbit · 17/10/2025 12:30

Yeah, my younger one’s backless Graco booster picks up smells so fast, especially after sports practice. I wash the cover, but the plastic part still keeps that smell somehow, haha.

And yeah, that’s exactly what I was thinking I don’t want to make him feel awkward, but I also want him to be safe. What worries me is when his little brother doesn’t need a booster anymore, he might notice that his big brother still uses one while he doesn’
t.

Show quote history

We have 2 graco backless booster and neither smell like that. Are they the ones with the cup holders you pull out and any chance some food has got inside via that? Because surely it is not normal for the smell of a 10YO to penetrate hard plastic like that… Is this a boy thing that I have to look forward to??? 🤣

Original poster
DisplayRabbit · 17/10/2025 12:41

Bitzee · 17/10/2025 12:36

We have 2 graco backless booster and neither smell like that. Are they the ones with the cup holders you pull out and any chance some food has got inside via that? Because surely it is not normal for the smell of a 10YO to penetrate hard plastic like that… Is this a boy thing that I have to look forward to??? 🤣

Show quote history

Yeah, we’ve used it a lot for soccer practices and long trips this summer kind of forgot to wash it, haha. I’ve got two very active boys! 😅

OP posts:
lanthanum · 17/10/2025 15:30

DisplayRabbit · 17/10/2025 12:30

Yeah, my younger one’s backless Graco booster picks up smells so fast, especially after sports practice. I wash the cover, but the plastic part still keeps that smell somehow, haha.

And yeah, that’s exactly what I was thinking I don’t want to make him feel awkward, but I also want him to be safe. What worries me is when his little brother doesn’t need a booster anymore, he might notice that his big brother still uses one while he doesn’
t.

Show quote history

Perhaps when the younger one doesn't need the booster, his brother can have the confidence to say "you're mad - it's so much more comfortable with the booster".

ScaryM0nster · 17/10/2025 15:41

Keep in mind it doesn’t have to be the same set up all the time.

So longer journeys, or away from school could use one.

Original poster
DisplayRabbit · 17/10/2025 15:43

yeah that's what I'm going to do, we're going to try tonight, I'm going to suggest that he take his little brother's place, in his booster seat, and the little one next to him on the bench seat. Then if all goes well, I'll go buy him a big boy booster seat tomorrow, just to avoid the smell of his little brother

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