I am wondering if anyone else gets backlash from their parents (or grandparents) about proper car seats usage. I didn't even tell my mother that I just spent $249 on the Britax Regent because she would flip, but I did inform her that she needs to dispose of my baby's old Cosco Touriva (the one with the shield - I don't know the date of manufacture but I'm certain THEY've had it more than 6yrs), plus my youngest is WAY too big for it. My kids are the only grandchildren. Even after, I know she will either donate it to her church or sell it at her annual garage sale.
I *suggested* she purchase a booster seat to replace it but unfortunately cannot offer to pay for it. (Plus they are financially very secure.) Her response was that for the 2-3x/ month that my kids are with her, they can either go without car seats or borrow my car.
I explained (again) that it's a state law that kids remain in car seats to 80 lbs, told her that auto accidents are #1 cause of death for people age 1-34, and that my 3-year-old is nowhere near ready to be without a car seat. Of course, it became a slightly heated argument. I have no other family in this country and need do sometimes her help, so I can't just say that she can't see the kids but safety stuff like this drives me nuts!
I think 1)they take it as an insult to their own parenting skills - "you never had a car seat and you survived" - and 2)are stuck in their ways. 3)She also thinks that I am "obsessive-compulsive" about health and safety. I mean, sure it's a pain in the neck, but you never know if and when an accident will happen! Obviously I would never let my kids in a car with anyone without a car seat, but what do others do/ say?
I *suggested* she purchase a booster seat to replace it but unfortunately cannot offer to pay for it. (Plus they are financially very secure.) Her response was that for the 2-3x/ month that my kids are with her, they can either go without car seats or borrow my car.
I explained (again) that it's a state law that kids remain in car seats to 80 lbs, told her that auto accidents are #1 cause of death for people age 1-34, and that my 3-year-old is nowhere near ready to be without a car seat. Of course, it became a slightly heated argument. I have no other family in this country and need do sometimes her help, so I can't just say that she can't see the kids but safety stuff like this drives me nuts!
I think 1)they take it as an insult to their own parenting skills - "you never had a car seat and you survived" - and 2)are stuck in their ways. 3)She also thinks that I am "obsessive-compulsive" about health and safety. I mean, sure it's a pain in the neck, but you never know if and when an accident will happen! Obviously I would never let my kids in a car with anyone without a car seat, but what do others do/ say?