No more booster? :(

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NotJUSTamom

New member

• Oct 21, 2008

• #1

Im not sure if this is in the right place, but here we go!
Addison is 11. Shes in 6th grade. Basically shes not a little kid anymore. She does pass the 5 step test pretty well, and I'm wondering if she needs her booster anymore.I feel bad making her sit in a booster seat when none of her friends do, and honestly deep down I don't think she needs it anymore. I'm just a mom who is not letting her grow up lol! But, I just wanted to know what you all thought. Iv'e always had all my kids in car seats and I'm just paranoid

 

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tanyaandallie

Senior Community Member

• Oct 21, 2008

• #2

If she passes the 5 step test and is in 6th grade, I'd let her go without.

 

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NotJUSTamom

New member

• Oct 21, 2008

• #3

I agree, no more booster for Addison! Oh, well they are supposed to grow up!
Thanks!

 

TerisBoys

Well-known member

• Oct 21, 2008

• #4

You said she passes "pretty well" - is there any aspect that she's NOT passing? particularly belt fit?

If she's lacking in any area, I'd consider stepping down to a backless bpb.

FWIW - my 12yo is still in a booster (7th grade) backless. He doesn't have to use it in other vehicles, but my van has funky seats/seatbelts.

 

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NotJUSTamom

New member

• Oct 21, 2008

• #5

When I say pretty well I mean the lap portion is slightly high on her stomach which makes me contemplate yes or no, but she’s ok in my car without it I just went out and checked. I might still make her use a bb in my husband’s car though the belts are funky in that car. Thanks!

 

TerisBoys

Well-known member

• Oct 21, 2008

• #6

Just watch her for a while and make sure she's not slouchy in your car. Lap belt being on the hip is key for preventing internal injuries

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Oct 21, 2008

• #7

I'm so glad to see moms that keep their kids in boosters even though the child thinks it "isn't cool!" My hub and his ex decided it was ok for my step son not to ride in a booster anymore when he was 6 which I totally disagreed on and they started letting him ride in the front seat at the age of 9 1/2 (our state law says at a certain height and being 12 or older qualifies it as ok for riding in the front, which he didn't meet either of those)! Oh, my Step son got mad because I told my hub that if he allowed him to ride in the front of our car and he got a ticket that I would not be responsible for paying for it or any of the costs like rise in insurance,etc.., so he couldn't ride in the front at our house until last year (he is now almost 13). My 6 yr old is still in a booster and will stay in it atleast until 8, I believe (unless his growth changes) he will be big enough to come out of it.

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Oct 21, 2008

• #8

TerisBoys said:

Just watch her for a while and make sure she's not slouchy in your car. Lap belt being on the hip is key for preventing internal injuries

Click to expand...

:yeahthat:

I second the suggestion to move to a backless rather than going to no booster at all at this stage. Especially with the study that came out a while back showing that until teh iliac crest is mature theycan still submarine out from under the lap belt even if it fits properly.

 

CrabbyBunchX3

New member

• Oct 21, 2008

• #9

NotJUSTamom said:

When I say pretty well I mean the lap portion is slightly high on her stomach which makes me contemplate yes or no,

Click to expand...

If the lap belt is on her stomach, then yes she still needs a booster.
I agree with the others who have suggested moving to a backless booster.

 

Last edited: Oct 21, 2008

tiggercat

New member

• Oct 21, 2008

• #10

NotJUSTamom said:

When I say pretty well I mean the lap portion is slightly high on her stomach which makes me contemplate yes or no, but she’s ok in my car without it I just went out and checked. I might still make her use a bb in my husband’s car though the belts are funky in that car. Thanks!

Click to expand...

If the lap portion of the belt is not low and touching the top of her thighs, she doesn't pass all of the points of the 5 step test.
Could you take a photo for us (you can blur the face)?

 

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NotJUSTamom

New member

• Oct 21, 2008

• #11

I would love to take a picture, but me and my grand Ideas took the camera to the beach this past summer, droped it in the sand, and now it will turn on, but then turn off 2 seconds later. Iv'e tried everything and now it's on it's way to Connecticut!:thumbsdown:

 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus

• Oct 21, 2008

• #12

My 12yo still rides in a backless (he's petite). He can pass the 5-Step test in most vehicles, but I decided to make the decision about when to get rid of the booster based on which one provided the BETTER fit.

When he rides without a booster, I think "Yeah, okay, it's a good fit." But when he's in the booster, it's a GREAT fit.

My oldest is 14 and average-sized. He was a great example for me, because I got to watch him go from getting a better fit in the booster to actually getting a better fit without it - they do actually hit that point!

Anyway - my 12yo is at a transition stage. He rides without a booster in dh's car because that's a long story, and I'm okay with that. He rides without in my parents' truck, because the seat belt does actually fit better. In my car, he rides in a backless booster, because it's the best fit. :thumbsup: