Would you let a 54lb 10yo...

zactayaus

Well-known member

• Mar 17, 2013

• #1

...that is 52" tall ride in the 3rd row of your vehicle without a booster if they 5 stepped there?

Just curious. DS2 will be 10 next month and he absolutely hates that he is still in a booster. Not a single friend of his rides in one. Unfortunately for him it will be a good two years before he will 5 step in my 2nd row. He may however already 5 step in the 3rd row. I haven't tried him yet because I wanted to get opinions first before I got his hopes up. I'm just not sure how I feel if he does 5 step there too as he's such a light weight.

What do you guys think?

ETA: Link to pics in post #20.

 

Last edited: Mar 27, 2013

Lemonade

New member

• Mar 17, 2013

• #2

If he fits, I would let him sit in the 3rd row. Isn't weight is secondary to bone strength at this point? Keep the NBB in the car if he ever wants to ride in the 2nd row. My DS is small...I will be posting this in a few years.

 

M

Mysweethoneybee

New member

• Mar 17, 2013

• #3

My 5.5 year old is 52" tall so I can't picture how a kid would 5 step at that height.

 

zactayaus

Well-known member

• Mar 17, 2013

• #4

Mysweethoneybee said:

My 5.5 year old is 52" tall so I can't picture how a kid would 5 step at that height.

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My 3rd row is super short to the floor and has better seat belt geometry for smaller riders.

 

Baylor

New member

• Mar 17, 2013

• #5

I would if he 5 steps. But only in that position. I know my son fits different in different cars and places and noticed how close he was to 5 stepping in one of my dads cars... Luckily, He traded that one in,,

 

jacqui276

New member

• Mar 17, 2013

• #6

Just curious, but at what age would you guys be ok with a kid sitting in those mini 3rd rows if they 5-step in them? My 3rd row is really close to the floor and designed for kids as well so DD (who is 8yrs, 8mo) 5-steps back there. So far I haven't let her ride back there since her riding without a booster makes me nervous. Is there a "magical age" where you guys would be ok with it?

 

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NVMBR02

New member

• Mar 17, 2013

• #7

My 9.5 year old is right about the same size, 53" and 52 pounds. She is also really close to 5 stepping in our third row and hates riding in a booster. I have decided when she 5 steps completely to my satisfaction I will let her ride back there without a booster.

I may be in the minority on here but I know how badly she wants out of the booster and I know that peer pressure if a horrible thing. We are going to recheck how she fits once school lets out this summer.

 

Brigala

CPST Instructor

• Mar 17, 2013

• #8

If the child actually 5-steps, I have no problem with an 8 year old riding without a booster.

 

hrice

New member

• Mar 17, 2013

• #9

Yes.

 

tiggercat

New member

• Mar 18, 2013

• #10

52in is pretty short to 5 step (my 7yo is about 52in/57lb), but if they definitively and 100% 5 step? Yes, I think I would let them.

Sent from my iPod touch using Car-Seat.Org

 

zactayaus

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2013

• #11

Thanks everyone. I will wait until he actually turns 10 next month on 4/16. Then I'll tell him that I just want to check his fit in the 3rd row without the booster just to see how much longer I think he'll need the booster there. Then of course I'll take a bunch of pics and post them here for opinions. That way I won't get his hopes up to much if he still doesn't fit without it.

 

ctbcleveland

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2013

• #12

Is he small enough to fit in a bubble bum? I wonder if he'd be less self concious with that since it is more like a pillow (more discreet).

 

zactayaus

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2013

• #13

ctbcleveland said:

Is he small enough to fit in a bubble bum? I wonder if he'd be less self concious with that since it is more like a pillow (more discreet).

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He's definitely small enough for one and I'll definitely keep that as an option.

 

Kel

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2013

• #14

My son 5 stepped at 8 in 3 vans and trucks. But not my dad's cavalier.

 

Harmony96

New member

• Mar 18, 2013

• #15

zactayaus said:

Thanks everyone. I will wait until he actually turns 10 next month on 4/16. Then I'll tell him that I just want to check his fit in the 3rd row without the booster just to see how much longer I think he'll need the booster there. Then of course I'll take a bunch of pics and post them here for opinions. That way I won't get his hopes up to much if he still doesn't fit without it.

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That sounds like a good plan. Can't wait to see the pics.

 

thepote

New member

• Mar 19, 2013

• #16

The third row is where I put ds2's 9-10 yo friends that don't use a booster, because they five step there with no concerns. Ds2 is still a car sleeper, so I'm hoping he continues to be ok with his hbb for a while yet.

 

crunchierthanthou

New member

• Mar 19, 2013

• #17

Yes- 5 steps is 5 steps. If he fits, he can ride there. If he doesn't want to climb back there every time, I'd just explain that riding in the second row means using a booster and let him choose.

 

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants

• Mar 19, 2013

• #18

I'm skeptical that a 52" child will truly 5-step in most vehicles, but if you're a hard grader on the 5-step test and he really does pass, I'd probably allow it.

 

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henrietta

Well-known member

• Mar 20, 2013

• #19

Brigala said:

If the child actually 5-steps, I have no problem with an 8 year old riding without a booster.

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In my state of TN, it's illegal. Kids must be 9 years old to ride w/o a booster. Just sayin.

 

zactayaus

Well-known member

• Mar 27, 2013

• #20

Link to pics! http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?p=2497689#post2497689