Booster seat dilemma

[lunalibre]

My DD is 10, but she's small -- 53" and ~60 lbs. I still have her in a high-back booster seat at home. However, the grandparents are taking her on vacation this summer. They're flying to their destination, then will be doing a significant amount of freeway driving. The grandparents definitely don't want to drag along a high-back booster seat, and they're trying to minimize the checked luggage to a single suitcase. I think that means that I can't send a separate booster seat to check, and there won't be room in the suitcase for the booster.

Do I get one of those backless booster seats and cram it into DD's carryon backpack on the plane? Then she won't have much space for "entertainment stuff". Do I get one of those positioning vests? I just can't see allowing her to ride without any sort of safety device. I would never be able to live with myself if something happened. Some states we drive in say DD has to be in some sort of seat/device until 57" and 80 lbs. She may need a booster seat to get a driver's license at this rate.

Anyone have any suggestions for particular models? Help!!!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Can they rent a seat with the car they rent at the destination??

Even if they just have one suit case checked, they have to deal with checked luggage anyway, I would add one more and just check a backless booster. Offer to pay for the 2nd bag if that is the issue.

I would not want your DD to have to try to carry it on the plane with her.

 

[Hannathy]

Isn't it also age? not just weight. Your DD weighs less than my DS and he hasn't been using anything for a long time. Once he passed the age part of the requirement.

Personally I think some of the suggestions are just overkill but you have to make your own decision. I mean there is "perfect world" and then there is real world. If she rode in the back seat I wouldn't send anything.

 

[mjkacmom]

My dd9 is small (52", 52 pounds), and has been in a backless for years, as has dd7 and ds7, who are almost as big as she is. They're old enough to sit correctly in the seats (and not bend over). I'd just get a backless, especially since you will probably need one anyway when she's older (I don't think my dd9 will even be without one! ).

 

[HLDisney]

Would the grandparents be willing to go to a Walmart or Target when they get to their destination and buy a backless booster? I got one for my DD at a Target and it was less than $30, which is often the cost of an extra piece of checked luggage.

My DD is 8 years old, 48 inches and 60 lbs and on occasion (when it's too crowded to fit her booster), will sit in the backseat with just the seatbelt. Legally, it's fine but I can understand not wanting to do it for long periods of driving.

Helen

 

[Bren's Mom]

I would purchase a new backless and gate check it that way it's not taking up room in her bag. There is generally no charge for gate checking car seats.

Some suggestions:



http://www.walmart.com/ip/Harmony-Juvenile-LiteRider-Backless-Booster-Car-Seat-Pink/10992661
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Graco-No-Back-TurboBooster-Car-Seat-Baker/10769963

 

[travelbel]

I would get a backless booster seat and check it in at the gate, which is what we always do. Or, they can check it in with the one suitcase... we've never been charged for doing either. I would hope that the grandparents would agree with not compromising on safety!

 

[4under4]

Isn't it also age? not just weight. Your DD weighs less than my DS and he hasn't been using anything for a long time. Once he passed the age part of the requirement.

NO.

The requirement is to meet all parts of the equation... age AND weight AND height.

My mother was killed by a drunk driver at 4:00 in the afternoon, just 2 miles from our house. It's not about whether or not the grandparents are good drivers, it's not about how far they are driving or on what kind of roads. It's knowing that there are always stupid people on the road, and the safety of your child should come before any inconvenience to anyone.

My kids will be in boosters until they outgrow them because regardless of whether or not they "can" be in just a seatbelt, boosters are just a safer place for them to be. Why take chances? Can't think of a single good reason to do so.

You are the parent, which means you have final say in this. If grandparents don't want to deal with the car seat, then IMHO, they don't get DD.

OK, off soapbox now.

 

[Bren's Mom]

NO.

The requirement is to meet all parts of the equation... age AND weight AND height.

<snip>

My kids will be in boosters until they outgrow them because regardless of whether or not they "can" be in just a seatbelt, boosters are just a safer place for them to be. Why take chances? Can't think of a single good reason to do so.

Well, yes...age is a factor as well.

When it comes to booster, I teach parents that they first must exceed their state's law (and the law of any state they plan to drive in). Beyond that, I encourage them to follow best practices. Best practice for boosters is to use them until both the law has been followed AND the child can pass the 5 step test:

http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

For a no back booster, which most older kids are in, if they pass the 5 step test there is no additional reason to continue using the booster (assuming they've already exceeded state law). Boosters aren't safety bubbles, they simply help to position the seat belt correctly on the child. Once the seat belt fits correctly without the booster, the booster is unnecessary.

 

[3monkeys4me]

If you aren't comfortable with her in a backless booster I would look into a Ride Safer Travel vest. My small 6 year old (45 inches, 39 pounds) had been using one when we travel for the past few months. It is fairly easy to use (i would show your daughter AND grandparents) and it is very lightweight and easy to stash into a carry on bag.

HTH!

 

[soonerfan2008]

Well, yes...age is a factor as well.

When it comes to booster, I teach parents that they first must exceed their state's law (and the law of any state they plan to drive in). Beyond that, I encourage them to follow best practices. Best practice for boosters is to use them until both the law has been followed AND the child can pass the 5 step test:

http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

For a no back booster, which most older kids are in, if they pass the 5 step test there is no additional reason to continue using the booster (assuming they've already exceeded state law). Boosters aren't safety bubbles, they simply help to position the seat belt correctly on the child. Once the seat belt fits correctly without the booster, the booster is unnecessary.

Right, but in most vehicles a child who is 53" (4 feet, 5 inches) tall is not going to meet the 5 step test, which is why 4'9" is the "magical age" for not needing a booster anymore.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

NO.

The requirement is to meet all parts of the equation... age AND weight AND height.

My mother was killed by a drunk driver at 4:00 in the afternoon, just 2 miles from our house. It's not about whether or not the grandparents are good drivers, it's not about how far they are driving or on what kind of roads. It's knowing that there are always stupid people on the road, and the safety of your child should come before any inconvenience to anyone.

My kids will be in boosters until they outgrow them because regardless of whether or not they "can" be in just a seatbelt, boosters are just a safer place for them to be. Why take chances? Can't think of a single good reason to do so.

You are the parent, which means you have final say in this. If grandparents don't want to deal with the car seat, then IMHO, they don't get DD.

OK, off soapbox now.

I fully agree ~ around here once a child is 8 by law they don't need anything ~ and parents are excited that their kid no longer needs a safety seat in the car

Well I have my own "law" ~ seat belts are made for adults so until a child is the size of a small adult and/or as long as they can fit in a booster seat they're gonna use one.


In fact my 10 year old *need to change my siggy his B-day was this past Tues.* still rides in a 5 point harness seat ~ Britax Husky *and it's big* it "expires" in June so he'll use it till then after that he'll use a back less booster. DD rear faced till her 4th B~day!

OP ~ consider having Gma/pa gate check a backless booster for your DD. When we fly I gate check a backless booster for my DD ~ except for when we visited WDW last year, we used Disney transportation the whole time.

 

[stacy6552]

Her safety depends on how long her legs are. Can she sit in the seat with her bottom all the way back and her legs bent over the front at a right angle? Then she doesn't really need a seat at all. I would think shes either got to be a pretty short 10 yr old or GPs' seat have to be really big for her to need a seat.

 

[ajjollie23]

When we fly and then have a rental car we ask the rental agency for a carseat or booster.. depending on the agency they aren't too expensive and that way they have it for the car but don't have to worry about checking it or carrying it on the plane.
Or as others have said get a backless booster, those can be used at your daughter's height and weight and they have a seat belt positioning strap that hooks onto the seat belt so that it is sitting correctly on her shoulder. They are also rather inexpensive.
My oldest DS5 is also going to be in a booster forever..he will be 6 soon and is only 45 lbs and that is because of a 10 lb, 2 " growth spurt over this year (he was 35 lbs at his 5yo dr appt last June)

 

[lunalibre]

OP here...

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I think we'll go with some sort of backless booster. I don't know yet if I'll buy one and find a way to shove it in DD's carryon, or else I liked the idea of picking one up at Walmart at the destination. The grandparents already had plans of hitting a Walmart/Target right after leaving the airport. I don't know that I would trust a rental booster seat, and I would consider <$30 a reasonable price for peace of mind for a week.

Like another poster here, I lost a close family member to a drunk driver. It has forever changed how I view car travel. Obviously a booster seat isn't some sort of "safety bubble", but it's up to me as the parent to make sure my child is as safe as reasonably possible. The GP's have no issues with using booster seats, but since they are paying for the trip for DD10 and DS13, I want to make it as convenient as possible to drag them along. I know my folks, and checking a second bag or gate-checking a seat will not qualify as "convenient." However, they certainly wouldn't mind picking up a booster seat at a store they had already planned to visit. That may not make any sense, but... that's the way it is!

Thanks again to everyone for the ideas!

 

[NotUrsula]

As to convenience, why can't your DD carry her own backless booster? DS used to carry his in an open-top cloth shopping tote, and it fit just fine in the overhead bin, while his "entertainment" backpack went under the seat. If her brother is feeling generous he can help her carry it occasionally, but they normally weigh very little.

 

[Sazuburns]

Trunki makes a product called the Boostapak which is a backpack which converts into a booster seat:

http://www.trunki.co.uk/products/boostapak_9/boostapak_21

It would cut down on the amount of checked luggage.

 

[tinytreasures]

Trunki makes a product called the Boostapak which is a backpack which converts into a booster seat:

http://www.trunki.co.uk/products/boostapak_9/boostapak_21

It would cut down on the amount of checked luggage.

that is really cool

is there a reason you can't gate check a booster for her?
It is free to check them I believe (check with whoever you are flying with)

as for carseat safety all of my children are in 5points except for our 12yr old he just hit the weight limit on harness so he is using the highback booster part now. He is very little
Our youngest just turned around when she hit the weight limit for backwards, she will be 4 in 2 months. I should have bought her a new seat but hated to when I spent so much on her britax

 

[DeniseinNS]

I would just buy a backless booster at Walmart when they reach their destination. It's cheaper then renting one with a car and you don't have to worry about dealing with it at the airport.