When advising certain people

christineka

New member
An acquaintance (in town) asked on facebook if three boosters would fit across a chevy equinox. I looked up the rear hip room and gave her backless booster suggestions because that's what people in my town use. Then, I checked her facebook page. The kids are 2, 4, and 6 years old. So, the 4 and 6 year olds are technically okay in backless boosters. It's not best practice, but that's normal around here for kids that are actually in seats. Not for a 2 year old though! I commented on that. The mom responded that she thought once a child got to a certain weight they could be in a booster. I told her it was age. Now technically, if her 2 year old is 30 pounds and 34 inches tall he can use the cosco backless. Do you tell people that? How do you advise people who only want to do the bare minimum to follow the law?
 
ADS

christineka

New member
Forgot to mention, they are taking a trip via airplane. She wanted to rent the equinox and rent boosters. Then she decided it would be cheaper to just buy backless boosters rather than to rent them for $9 each. Apparently this was supposed to be an inexpensive trip.
 

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants
I do not volunteer the information that the 2yo is legal for a backless booster, but if asked, I don't lie.

In the scenario you mentioned, I would explain my state's proper use clause and how minimums differ from best (or even better) practices.
 

babyherder

Well-known member
Does the 2 yr old have a harnessed seat normally? If you can convince her to bring that on the plane and buy the older kids cheap backless boosters they'll still be better off than with a 2 yr old in a backless booster.
 

Anne

New member
When offering advice, I always go by best practice. I don't lie or mislead, I use words like "should" and "safer". When questioned directly about something, I will answer whatever they're asking, even if it means saying something incredibly unsafe is, unfortunately, legal. But I make it clear that it is not the safest option and provide better alternatives.

If what they're asking or going for just isn't possible, I say something like "I'm sorry I can't help you more, there's just no safe way to do that". Like the people at TRU wanting to know which booster to get for their one year old and looking at me like I had three heads when I said the nasty word "harness".
 

skaterbabs

Well-known member
Actually, IIRC the Graco Turbo does have a minimum age of three listed on the backless.... in our state that would make the 2 yo illegal.
 

Maedze

New member
The Graco Turbo has a 4 year minimum age.

Most backless boosters have a 3-4 year minimum age. The Cosco backless has a 1 year minimum age.
 

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