over a bloody booster seat 🥵

[StarDolphins]

My 9 year old is being taken to a party in Manchester (1 hour journey) today by the birthday girls parents. She is 134cm (she’s a bit less actually but because her Dad told her she’s that, she’s sticking to it)

Sges currently sobbing and shouting (since 7am off & on) because I’m insisting she has her booster seat when all the other 7 kids won’t have one. She said she’s going to get laughed at and she just wants to fit in & be the same. I’ve tried to be understanding, I’ve said blame it on me, I’ve said they’re not good friends etc.

AIBU to stick to my rule? She’s nearly there but technically still needs a booster until 135cm. I’m just worn down as she’s been crying over this ALL morning🙄

I’m wondering how many of the posters saying the OP is being ridiculous would be blaming her if she had posted that her daughter had been injured whilst not in a booster seat, but she is only 1cm under the legal limit?

UABU to ask MN where most people have no idea about car safety. An hour trip is presumably on the motorway, even if friends parent is a great driver other people on the road aren’t. You are completely right to do everything you can to keep you own child safe and well regardless of what others are doing and of what people say online. Do you think the ride attendant at a theme park would let an under height child on an adult ride because it was ‘just a one off.’

Ffs don't be that parent.

I believe that if they are under the legal height and there is an accident that the insurance is invalid and the driver would be liable. Whilst this is something at nine she will struggle to understand, it is just something to bear in mind.

Thank you! I have spoken to the school and these girls deny it so school close the case as no evidence! The other battle I have (and 100% sticking to incase anyone else decides to call me a rigid, embarrassing mum🤣) is tgat apparently the things she watches are for babies and she really should be watching squid games and stranger things!🤣 it’s so hard having girls!

I get where you are coming from OP as a safety conscious person myself. I tell myself: The most important safety factor is:
the driver
other drivers
road conditions

IF they crash the most important safety factor is seatbelt and airbags.

Is then driver a teenage boy (sorry, just stats)? Have you checked the tyre pressure? The tread? the road conditions?
im not trying to be snarky it’s just that the hugest implication for safety isn’t the car seat. If she was a toddler and could be hurt by a prang then, maybe as a prang is more likely.

She will still be safe on a UK road in a roadworthy car with a competent driver. The chances of a crash are very low.

I'm not disputing it, I'm belittling it. I'd adhere to it regardless because it's the law. I don't have to like it or agree with it, I'd just do it to not break the law. A bit like going to work and paying taxes.

My neighbour has a 5yo same as mine and frequently drives with him in the front passenger seat and no car seat to be seen.

You can't trust other people.

@StarDolphins if you were the driver what would your stance be?

Jeeze. I'd need a booster seat, then. That could make driving tricky.

I agree with this

You sound like a great mum OP. Keep advocating for your girl and helping her make good choices. One day she will be away from these people. Hopefully she can have a kinder friendship group in secondary school.

That parent that wants to stick to the car safety rules because if not I have to live with it for the rest of my life?

I haven’t been ‘that parent’ anyway. I’ve sent her off with no booster seat. Then when she gets home, I’ll give her a glass of Prosecco and a line of coke, just to show her what a cool mum I can be😉

My mum is just shy of 5 foot she often says she'd like a booster seat! Children's ones aren't wide enough to be comfortable for an adult

I'd personally take a chance at 9 years old, life is full of risk, and sometimes for your own sanity (and to save your child's embarrassment) you take a risk / break the rules.

I’d let go this time.

My DGC are aged 3 to 9. In my car the eldest uses an appropriate high back booster, and was rear -facing until almost 5. His parents had him forward facing by 18 months and using the adult seat belt, no booster, at 7. They know my opinion but I can only control what happens when DGC are travelling in my own car.

Where my children's safety is at risk, then yes it is a hill to die on!
My 10 yo DD is still in a high backed car seat/booster, as is my 8 yo DS. There's no dispute, even in someone else's car. They don't question it.....I'm possibly a little stricter than their dad about car seats but that's just life sometimes.
I also deal with my children being rude to me and trying to wear me down to get their own way.
So 2 issues here 1 is your DDs rudeness, the other is them understanding why safety rules are there.

Thank you for this! He’s not a teenager, he’s 45years old - the girls parents are actually my friends and have been for 25 years but they’re not as ‘safety first as me!

She will still be safe on a UK road in a roadworthy car with a competent driver. The chances of a crash are very low.

@CountFucula but if she is not big enough for an adult seat belt, the chances of a more serious injury are much higher. Why would you take that risk with your child?

Don't think the police will tell the child off

Wow, that's me told.

@YorkshireGoldDrinker why are you belittling it?

Do you not think car seats/boosters have reduced injuries, even though many more cars on the roads?

Sweden has a very low child fatality rate in road accidents because they have very strict rules in respect of car seats

Adult booster seats (😂) are available to buy. If you care about the law/need one to see over the steering wheel (😂). I'm truly sorry. I'm not mocking your mum, I'm just in a fit of giggles over this.

Thank you! I have let it go so she doesn’t get the piss taken out of her but I’m not happy about it.

I'm absolutely 100% for safety. Always. I own a Volvo. It's an excellent car and safety is what Volvo are known for. It's their entire reputation. It was Volvo who patented the 3-point seatbelt.

My question is why have there been more accidents despite more safety legislation?