At What Age Did/Will Your Child(ren) Sit in the Front Seat?

[golfgal]

Less expensive, yes, but but not as safe if what you are worried about is getting struck too hard by the airbag or getting jammed up against the steering wheel. A pillow is going to put you even closer to the steering wheel.

I can adjust the height of my seat, but if I put it as high as it will go I can't reach the pedals properly, though the seatbelt still isn't quite right.

I'm 5' 3.5", and I don't have issues with reaching the pedals correctly with my seat adjusted for good vision, but I am rather close to the wheel normally. I used rubber-covered blocks taped to the pedals when I was in the third trimester; it was a good-enough temporary fix for only 6 weeks or so. I wouldn't do that permanently, however, because I'm sure they would start to get loose fairly quickly with regular use.

I am only 1/2" taller then you and with my seat all the way up I can't have the belt adjuster all the way down or it squishes my shoulder too much. I am able to sit an arm length away from the steering wheel pretty easily. It sounds like pedal extensions would be a better solution then a seat belt adjustment.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I actually read (and of course cannot find it now) that the age restriction also has to do with bone density and development. That's why its based on age rather than height/weight. (My daughter is tall but thin)

That said, I have an 11 year old who gets viciously car-sick. I made the decision to move her to the front seat about a month ago when I told her we had to go to Walmart and she burst into tears. I move the seat back as far as it goes, and she has to sit perfectly straight, no leaning or wiggling.

We don't have a sensor on the airbag - is there any other way to know if it is "reading" her?

Can you check the manual to see if it lists a required weight for the air bag to deploy?

 

[LisaNJ25]

around 9 1/2 my my dd. She is not a small girl. I usually have her in the back seats when at all possible. I have 3 car seats in my car so there are times when she has to sit in the front.

 

[clovergirl5]

My dd13 was just allowed to start occasionally riding in the front seat. Other dc ages 2-9 are not allowed too. I have seen terrible airbag accidents with young kids sitting in the front seat. The airbag hits them in a certain way because they are not tall enough.