Reason with me please

mamakc

Active member
I'm thinking about the 1 big rule of car-seatdom. The best car seat is the one that fits your child, fits your car, and will be used correctly every time.

I have nothing against extended harnessing. I recommend it daily to friends. Most kids aren't ready to booster until age 6 and I see that displayed in other people's kids all the time. But I am considering boostering my DD full time in my car sooner, rather than later. She is 4 years 7mos. It sounds crazy even to say it, but I think it might be what works best in my car, with this child. I am constantly having to rearrange seats. We babysit, we carpool, we have friends of different ages go with us places, etc. DD is mature way beyond her years and actually is excellent at staying in position. When I look at MY situation and consider everything I've learned over the last few years, I think it's reasonable to consider it with a 4.5 year old child, over 40lbs, who is mature for her age. Also knowing myself and how I'm fairly scatterbrained and have been known to forget to attach a top tether (out of sight, out of mind..) Or I'll be in a hurry and after a particularly challenging installation I'll realize I forgot to change the harness height between kids on the radian. I might choose to leave it for this one trip. With frequent re-installation I risk misuse. I would keep her harnessed in DH's car because we never have to move those seats.

But at the same time, I would NEVER advise someone else to consider full-time boostering at her age. I'm torn. Thoughts?
 
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Judi

CPST/Firefighter
I figure if they are over 4, and are mature enough, then they can go in a booster. I personally don't. I keep them harnessed a good looooong time.
 

lovemybabies924

New member
If your child can stay in position while asleep as well then I think it is ok if it's what works best for you, but if there is any doubt...

Sent from my iPod touch, sorry for any auto-correct typos!
 

cookie123

New member
I like them harnessed. THen there's no worry they're out of position. Also, booster crash test videos scare me.
 

SAHDADDY

New member
I figure if they are over 4, and are mature enough, then they can go in a booster. I personally don't. I keep them harnessed a good looooong time.

If your child can stay in position while asleep as well then I think it is ok if it's what works best for you, but if there is any doubt...

Sent from my iPod touch, sorry for any auto-correct typos!



i agree with this, big test would be if shes asleep, if thats the case then go for it as long as you feel she is safe that way
 

mamakc

Active member
If your child can stay in position while asleep as well then I think it is ok if it's what works best for you, but if there is any doubt...

she does, actually, which surprised me! Although she rarely sleeps in the car. Don't get me wrong, I like my kids harnessed, too, but I don't like installing seats every day.
 

Carrie_R

Ambassador - CPS Technician
I might consider doing it as a trial run, IF you are going to keep a harnessed seat around/in storage until it's been successful for a good six months. That way you have a backup available if you're having issues with her being boostered, or if she's less able to do it once the novelty wears off.

My 4y6m nanny charge will be full-time boostered by the end of the month. He sits well, and he has a significantly better chance of being properly restrained than he has been in a harness. It's not often that I would recommend it, but there a circumstances.

That said, if it were my kid, I would probably use the booster on occasion but the harness as a general rule, making a commitment to make sure I installed correctly, every time. This might mean making different transportation choices, or getting seats that are less prone to error (like something with an infinite harness.) If you really feel that it's unrealistic for you to do that, then you need to do what you need to do to keep your child safe, and if you genuinely feel like that's boostering her, then you need to do it.
 

Phineasmama

New member
I would do it...my DD is 4 1/2 and I know for a fact she could ride in a booster correctly. I would still probably use a harnessed seat for long trips though.

BUT we have 3 across in a small SUV so it's easier just to keep her harnessed.

Have you considered getting a HBB and keeping it in the trunk/back of your vehicle so you don't have to uninstall her primary seat all the time?
 

ElfJewel

New member
If you think it will work better then you should try it. I would harness for long trips though. Or get a booster for rides in other cars and leave the harnessed seat in your car, so you don't have to move it.
 

mamakc

Active member
Thanks for the thoughts. I feel a better about it and think it's the best choice. I think what I'll do is use the Maestro as a booster. It fits her good and that way there will always be the option to covert it back to harness mode if necessary.
 

An Aurora

Senior Community Member
My 4.5 yo is more booster ready than my 6 yo. She rides in our original Parkway in grandma's car.
 

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