One more reason to HATE the new Michigan booster seat law!

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

actualy, many states already have laws on the books that preclude public school attendance unless the child has proof of vaccinations (but they do permit a parent to sign a waiver form stateing they have a personal objection to withhold vaccinations that permits attendance).

Jodi already knows that, she's had that debate several times with several people, she's just stirring the pot, again. Next she'll be bringing up asthma/allergies and smoking.

 

[Beth76]

I'm still confused......you said he is 10 YRS old..........37 pounds ??

My 3yo weighed 39 lbs at the doctor's last week. He's tall for his age, but he's not overweight at all. My almost 7-year old weighs over 60 lbs. Again, tall, but not overweight.

 

[sha_lyn]

That's true, but I would think that if a child is tall enough that the shoulder belt fits correctly, the lap belt would fit correctly as well in most cases.

Even if the lap belt fits correctly, the pelvic bone and abdominal muscles are not as strong as they would be in an older child or adult.

 

[npmommie]

My 3yo weighed 39 lbs at the doctor's last week. He's tall for his age, but he's not overweight at all. My almost year old weighs over 60 lbs. Again, tall, but not overweight.

now I am really confused........LOL..........your not yet 1 yo weights over 60 lbs?

 

[RadioNate]

I see this thread has turned but I was at a wedding and didn't respond.

You know, I really don't know what it is. I'll have to check. I've actually been wanting a new seat for her, so maybe now's the time.

The Costco Grand Explorer Sheild booster was the only booster marketed for use with a lap belt only. If you google it unfortunately you'll see many horror stories about the injuries and deaths (Anton Skeen being the most widely reported) associated with this perticular seat.

Last I read, they were safe to use without the sheild. That is actually one of the ones I use for carpooling. If it is now said to be unsafe even without the sheild, I'll toss it and get DDs newer one that is still in my moms basement.

Used with a lap/shoulder belt w/out the sheild they should be ok. The reason I brought it up is that the PP said she was using a booster with a lap belt only and the old Grand Explorer was the only booster that allowed use with only a lap belt.

 

[barkley]

My 3yo weighed 39 lbs at the doctor's last week. He's tall for his age, but he's not overweight at all. My almost year old weighs over 60 lbs. Again, tall, but not overweight.

heck-my 11 year old just cracked 50 pounds a few months ago (and he's a bit tall for his age). he's never owned pants that actualy fit him in the waist before he outgrew them in length (this kid will be wearing 'underroos' in college ).

 

[Beth76]

now I am really confused........LOL..........your not yet 1 yo weights over 60 lbs?

Sorry, he's almost 7.

 

[npmommie]

Sorry, he's almost 7.

LOL...........I figured there was a typo!!!

 

[sha_lyn]

Jodi already knows that, she's had that debate several times with several people, she's just stirring the pot, again. Next she'll be bringing up asthma/allergies and smoking

LOL.... I thought she was a part of the debate, on the side of vaccinations should be law. funny how the "nanny state" is ok if doesn't mess up carpooling.

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

LOL.... I thought she was a part of the debate, on the side of vaccinations should be law. funny how the "nanny state" is ok if doesn't mess up carpooling.

Shhhhh you're making sense, that's crazy talk!

 

[kimmikayb]

So theoretically a kid could be driven to the bus stop, get out of their booster seat then get on a school bus without any seat belt at all!
One makes money for the state
One would cost the state money

Agreed. I don't allow my kids to ride the school bus because it isn't the safest thing on our country roads.

And the state doesn't like to spend money, that's for sure.

This is a no-brainer topic. My 7 yr old happily sits in her highback booster and will for several more years. It's all about protecting her and keeping her safe in case of an accident.

Totally agree!!
I really don't understand why this is even a debate. We shouldn't need a law to want to keep our kids safe in the best way possible.

 

[MareQ]

I'm still confused......you said he is 10 YRS old..........37 pounds ??

Yes- He just turned 10 2 weeks ago and he weighs 37 lbs. That is why he is in a booster seat and will be for some time - that is why I value his safety over any self esteem issues him being in a booster seat may present.

 

[jodifla]

LOL.... I thought she was a part of the debate, on the side of vaccinations should be law. funny how the "nanny state" is ok if doesn't mess up carpooling.

My point is that it's a slippery slope once you open the doors for the Nanny State.

I see inconsistencies on the other side....it's OK to regulate car seats because I agree with that, but don't tell me I need to vaccinate my kid or be actually qualified to homeschool them.

 

[solferino]

I see inconsistencies on the other side....it's OK to regulate car seats because I agree with that, but don't tell me I need to vaccinate my kid or be actually qualified to homeschool them.

Now I'm really confused. If you don't have a problem with the car seat regulations what is the purpose of this thread?

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Now I'm really confused. If you don't have a problem with the car seat regulations what is the purpose of this thread?

Trolling?

 

[jodifla]

Now I'm really confused. If you don't have a problem with the car seat regulations what is the purpose of this thread?

I'm saying the OTHER side's point of view is that it's OK to regulate car seats, but god forbid you talk about requiring vaccinations or requiring parents to certify that they are qualified to teach their children.

My point of view is that I don't like other folks telling me what to do with my kid.

I'm mixed on vaccines because I don't want measles or other illnesses to take hold and endanger the general population, including my son.

I'm mixed on homeschooling because while a lot of parents on the DIS boards make eloquent and well-reasoned arguments about why homeschooling is good, some of the reasons others give make me absolutely cringe.

 

[kidshop]

Kids really should be in a belt positioning booster until the seat belt falls across their shoulders and not their neck. For some kids, that may be 8, and for some it may be 10. If all car manufacturers would make seat belts with adjustable shoulder straps, there wouldn't be a need for more than a 6yrs AND 60lbs law IMHO. I am 5'3 and in many cars, the shoulder belt crosses MY neck. I think the car manufacturers design seat belts to fit an average sized man. My Sienna has adjustable shoulder belts in a few positions, but not in all. That would seem to be a more practical way to make kids safer, since so many people ignore the booster law.

Marsha

I completely agree about the adjustable seatbelts! It's so simple! My ds is nearly 9, and is 54" or so tall. I tried him in our van w/o the booster, but I'm not happy where the seatbelt hits him...it not quite low enough. He'll go back to his backless booster. Until the seatbelt hit his shoulder correctly, a booster is a mandatory safety item. The seatbelt in my dh's car fits great , so he doesn't need a booster there. It's very black and white for me...if the sealtbelt fits you correctly, you don't need a booster. IF the sealtbelt doesn't fit, you need a booster. I don't need a law, and I don;t understand others who do.

 

[maelstrom]

Kids really should be in a belt positioning booster until the seat belt falls across their shoulders and not their neck. For some kids, that may be 8, and for some it may be 10. If all car manufacturers would make seat belts with adjustable shoulder straps, there wouldn't be a need for more than a 6yrs AND 60lbs law IMHO. I am 5'3 and in many cars, the shoulder belt crosses MY neck. I think the car manufacturers design seat belts to fit an average sized man. My Sienna has adjustable shoulder belts in a few positions, but not in all. That would seem to be a more practical way to make kids safer, since so many people ignore the booster law.

Marsha

I'm 4'11" and seat belts cut across my neck. They definitely aren't made for a wide range of people.

 

[sha_lyn]

I see inconsistencies on the other side....it's OK to regulate car seats because I agree with that, but don't tell me I need to vaccinate my kid or be actually qualified to homeschool them.

No inconsistencies here. I follow the home-school laws in my state, and I haven't complained about them.
I do vaccinate, but the bare min required. However I disagreed with you that a family with a history of serious vaccination reactions should give it a try with their other kids and see if the other kids also suffer brain damage.
Why should those with a possible health risk be forced to vaccinate so that your asthmatic child be at less of a risk of exposure?

 

[jodifla]

No inconsistencies here. I follow the home-school laws in my state, and I haven't complained about them.
I do vaccinate, but the bare min required. However I disagreed with you that a family with a history of serious vaccination reactions should give it a try with their other kids and see if the other kids also suffer brain damage.
Why should those with a possible health risk be forced to vaccinate so that your asthmatic child be at less of a risk of exposure?

Hmm. I don't think a family with a history of reaction of vaccines should have to vaccinate their child. They should be one of the allowable medical exceptions.

And I don't imagine that most people would disagree with current state homeschool laws. Most of them are so lax as to be nonexistent (although I don't know what they are in your state...)