Mommy0608
New member
Hi. I used to be on the forums all the time, but haven't been here in a while. Would love to get some opinions on this. DD is turning 7 next week and I am trying to decide whether to keep her harnessed a while longer or move her to a high back booster (or at least start letting her practice using one). She is about 45" tall and 38lbs, currently harnessed in a Frontier 85 with one more notch to go in height.
She has epilepsy that is well-controlled with meds. My previous stance was that we'd keep her harnessed until she (hopefully!) outgrew the condition. However, it's looking less likely that she will outgrow it, so I need to start thinking of other options. Her last seizure was in October. Doctor says she has to go 2 years seizure free to try taking her off meds which puts her at about 8.5 years old if she doesn't have another seizure before then.
DD also has Asperger's Syndrome, sensory issues and fine motor delays. She can't buckle herself in the harness. Well, she can if you give her about 5-10 minutes but we all know that's not practical. She CAN buckle a seatbelt though (she likes to plop down in the 3rd row and try to buckle herself). She can be a bit impulsive but she does understand that we all buckle for safety.
She's very aware that no one her age around here is in a harness and (sadly) many don't even use boosters. She is starting to be treated differently by her peers, sadly. Part of me thinks that keeping her harnessed is just one more thing kids can point out. I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of harness vs booster, knowing that we don't know which is safer assuming the child is old enough and big enough. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Here are my thoughts on harnessing:
Pros: Already have a seat that fits her well, confident that she will be in position properly in a crash.
Cons: Peer issues, can't buckle herself, can't easily carpool (I always drive since she's in a harness and friends are in boosters).
Booster (assuming she can sit properly):
Pros: Easier carpooling, can buckle herself, may reduce peer issues.
Cons: Only thing I can think of is determining of she's as safe as possible.
She has epilepsy that is well-controlled with meds. My previous stance was that we'd keep her harnessed until she (hopefully!) outgrew the condition. However, it's looking less likely that she will outgrow it, so I need to start thinking of other options. Her last seizure was in October. Doctor says she has to go 2 years seizure free to try taking her off meds which puts her at about 8.5 years old if she doesn't have another seizure before then.
DD also has Asperger's Syndrome, sensory issues and fine motor delays. She can't buckle herself in the harness. Well, she can if you give her about 5-10 minutes but we all know that's not practical. She CAN buckle a seatbelt though (she likes to plop down in the 3rd row and try to buckle herself). She can be a bit impulsive but she does understand that we all buckle for safety.
She's very aware that no one her age around here is in a harness and (sadly) many don't even use boosters. She is starting to be treated differently by her peers, sadly. Part of me thinks that keeping her harnessed is just one more thing kids can point out. I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of harness vs booster, knowing that we don't know which is safer assuming the child is old enough and big enough. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Here are my thoughts on harnessing:
Pros: Already have a seat that fits her well, confident that she will be in position properly in a crash.
Cons: Peer issues, can't buckle herself, can't easily carpool (I always drive since she's in a harness and friends are in boosters).
Booster (assuming she can sit properly):
Pros: Easier carpooling, can buckle herself, may reduce peer issues.
Cons: Only thing I can think of is determining of she's as safe as possible.