Would you buy a bacless booster for a 5yr old?

[PHaley]

my neighbor gave me a ride & I noticed he only has 2 carseats which means either his 5 yr old or 4 yr old ride in nothing!! Anyways I'm in Target & they have backless Turbos for $13 Anyways I grabbed two and was thinking to gift them to his kids and suggest he buy the 10 mo old a Scenera or EFTA depending on budget. We have the 8 yr law here in MD so if she rf to 2 or 3 and can remain harnessed to 5 her older sibs TBs will be open. Anyways do you think this is not ok? I know its not ideal but I doubt he'll go buy GN for them or even hbb. Thanks for listening.

 

[mommaon112903]

I would rather see them both in a NBB than nothing :twocents: The lap belt fit has to be horrible in nothing, and at least in a NBB the fit *should* be better and not be at such a high risk for submarining/internal injuries.

 

[wendytthomas]

Not as a first choice at all, but it's definitely better than nothing.

Wendy

 

[ketchupqueen]

I'd prefer a HBB, but I concur, better than nothing.

 

[PHaley]

Thank you. Those are pretty much the responses I thought Id get, I figured for the same price as ordering pizza I can atleast get them in something:thumbsup: That and I am pretty sure from having seen how he uses the snugride that they dont believe in tightening straps or keeping the chest clip in proper position, plus I think the 4 yr old is definately over 40#s (hes bigger than the 5 yr old) and the carseat is one of those eddie bauer combos... just now as I thought of it I could suggest using that as a hbb and then I'd know he wasnt going to skip the Scenera and put the nearly 1 yr old ff in it

Would you rather a 40ish # kid in a nb TB or hb EB seat?

Space may or maynot be a huge issue, I cant tell from one ride but he drives a newish Toyota Tundra with 4 full doors... would it have a top tether anchor or latch if I can show him for the ff hbb and rf convertible?

 

[ketchupqueen]

Turbo, hands down. And show them how to use the clip. And how to buckle properly. And put the screws in for them (or stand there and watch them do it.)

 

[Maedze]

I wouldn't.

Buy one, that is.


I figured out a few years back that I'll go broke if I make it my personal mission to become financially responsible for other people's children. Parents should buy their own restraints. Period. If they cannot afford them, they should go through legitimate resources, like the local CPS coalition, SafeKids, their health insurance, etc., to get one donated.

I would advise him of the law, make recommendations, give a list of numbers he can contact, and refuse to transport his child without an appropriate seat, but I wouldn't buy him a seat unless he was a close personal friend with whom I'd had a prior understanding (i.e, Auntie Phaley buys all the smith children a new car seat on their fifth birthdays!)

Maybe that makes me a cold, dead fish, but I think it falls under the whole, "you can lead a horse to water" theory.

 

[PHaley]

Maedze -I totally agree about the horse/water anaology and was just getting ready to ask... How would I approach dad anyways? I am pretty upfront with family and close friends and have written notes for complete strangers or mentioned this site as a resource in passing but I've never addressed or offered seats to someone who I value the neighborly relationship but aren't close enough to fully consider as friends iykwim. I want the kids safe of course, they come to my house, play with my godchildren, are sweet and precious and I wouldn't be able to stomach it if anything happened but what if I offer info and he doesn't follow up or what if I offer the seats and he doen't want them? I guess I was so shocked by seeing how they're riding and then so glad to find the TBs on sale that I just got wrapped up... any one have any tips on the approach? I could always go the "call the cops when they leave route" but that seems extra?!

 

[carseatcoach]

I agree with Maezde (I have given people my used seats instead of selling them, but I won't purchase new seats unless they are close friends who acknowledge they need help). Also, I wouldn't buy a backless booster for a 5yo because I wouldn't want them to think I endorsed the seat.

 

[NannyMom]

I have a harder time approaching the carseat issue with people I know than with strangers. Especially if they are people I don't know really really well. And really, I wouldn't buy and give them a seat. I'd probably find a way to make sure they know the law is 8 years. If they want more info, then you can go on and give it. Maybe they didn't have money for a seat and don't know what resources are in the area. Or maybe they flat out don't care and wouldn't use the backless anyway.

It's wonderful that you are concerned and want to help. But carseats are a touchy issue for some people. Some take it as an attack on their parenting skills.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I agree. I would talk to the family before you consider buying them seats. My guess is they can afford $13 a seat for their kiddos, they just have not done it. If they cannot, there are places they can get seats.

I'd just mention it to them. Hey, I noticed that X and Y are not in carseats/booster seats. Did you know that the law here is XYZ? I just found all this out or I just learned about all this so tought I would share. BTW, I saw these great boosters for only $13.

I agree that a backless is not ideal for a 4 or 5 year old but it is far safer than nothing. It is an acceptable option if they fit the weight requirements. You can tell them that you heard a high back was a better option.

 

[carseatcoach]

I agree it's better than nothing, and it's what we give 4 and 5yos who come to carseat checks in nothing. I make a point of explaining that to parents -- that they're leaving safer than they arrived, but there are other options. I feel okay with that at a carseat check. I would feel very awkward explaining that to a neighbor: "here, I bought you a seat that isn't all that great".