I don't post much here, but value all of the info I have read on this site. I am curious since there are so many certified and knowledgeable people here about car seats and car seat safety how people respond to your knowledge, particularly IRL. I'm sure reactions from people vary greatly depending on whether or not advice was solicited.
I don't claim to be an expert but feel I know a lot more then friends/ family IRL. An accident I had several years ago really opened my eyes to learning as much as I could about car seat safety. I find people IRL blow off advice from me. My SIL was visiting recently and my youngest DD was going to go in her minivan with my DH. She could not understand why I wouldn't allow it to happen. There wasn't enough room for me to install small 15 month old DD's car seat properly RF in between her booster seats and there was tons of crap thrown all over the back, on the floor. Cups, food, books, toys, umbrella etc. There was like no room to walk. She thought I was nuts and DH just drove himself with DD. I then proceeded to get on my soap box and tell her that her kids should not be wearing jackets for their 2 hour car ride home. (this was the next day) Her 12 month old was FF stuffed in a jacket and her 3 yr old was in a low back booster same as the 6 yr. old. The booster seats were recently involved in an accident (more than a fender bender) and she hasn't replaced them and blew off me telling her that she should look into it. She also thinks I'm nuts that my older DD is still harnessed in a Regent.
I don't care much what she thinks of me. My family should know understand where my concern comes from. But after the visit, I questioned myself thinking maybe I was out of line telling her things she didn't care about or think to ask about ever. I find other friends reactions similar as well. Or they seem interested only to revert back to doing things incorrectly.
I don't get it. People can ignore statistics. Do they just think they are immune to it all and that's why they don't do anything about it? I figure someone here might be able to empathize a bit.
Care to share any thoughts, stories?
Thanks.
I don't claim to be an expert but feel I know a lot more then friends/ family IRL. An accident I had several years ago really opened my eyes to learning as much as I could about car seat safety. I find people IRL blow off advice from me. My SIL was visiting recently and my youngest DD was going to go in her minivan with my DH. She could not understand why I wouldn't allow it to happen. There wasn't enough room for me to install small 15 month old DD's car seat properly RF in between her booster seats and there was tons of crap thrown all over the back, on the floor. Cups, food, books, toys, umbrella etc. There was like no room to walk. She thought I was nuts and DH just drove himself with DD. I then proceeded to get on my soap box and tell her that her kids should not be wearing jackets for their 2 hour car ride home. (this was the next day) Her 12 month old was FF stuffed in a jacket and her 3 yr old was in a low back booster same as the 6 yr. old. The booster seats were recently involved in an accident (more than a fender bender) and she hasn't replaced them and blew off me telling her that she should look into it. She also thinks I'm nuts that my older DD is still harnessed in a Regent.
I don't care much what she thinks of me. My family should know understand where my concern comes from. But after the visit, I questioned myself thinking maybe I was out of line telling her things she didn't care about or think to ask about ever. I find other friends reactions similar as well. Or they seem interested only to revert back to doing things incorrectly.
I don't get it. People can ignore statistics. Do they just think they are immune to it all and that's why they don't do anything about it? I figure someone here might be able to empathize a bit.
Care to share any thoughts, stories?
Thanks.