Should I keep my mouth shut or make a stink?

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

The way things are going with my kids...they will be in their seats in the back until they are 12!

4 and just now 30 lbs...

 

[CHawthorne]

I will have to go with worst quote ever and your comparisons are ridiculous when we are considering what the law REQUIRES.

There is no law requiring pregnant women to abstain from alcohol.

There is no law establishing how one is legally obligated to prepare a hurricane except for modern day building codes for new homes and remodels.

There is no law requiring minimum cooking temperatures for red meat.

There are laws about providing a minor access to a gun and making it illegal.

It isn't overkill at all.

And a 5 year old in the front seat without a lap belt is not "safely belted in".

Well not really. Failure to report child abuse or neglect is a violation of the law. And over feeding your child is a form of abuse. So technically I should be sending a lot of pictures of trip reviews to local authorities.

 

[Coconut36]

Actually I just read the laws for the tri-state area. With the ever increasing obesity problem we have most children will reach 80 pounds by the age of 5. So there really is no issue. Move along.

There is an age for most states..like NJ that indicates 8 years AND 80lbs..so 5 years and 80lbs would still require a child restraint not an adult seat belt.

Your comments are beyond ridiculous here..people aren't making up the recommendations or the state laws and in this situation it was regarding the child not being properly restrained and most likely violating not only recommendations that are out there but state law as well.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I vote for keep your mouth shut. You have given your opinion...twice. So the problem is NOT that he hasn't heard you. If the worst thing he does as a parent is let her ride in the front seat, I would say your niece has a wonderful dad. And if you have nothing better to obsess over, I think you need a new hobby.
As for some of the outrageous claims in this thread:
* I cannot fathom any judge revoking custody rights over a child sitting in the front seat of a vehicle. I feel very sorry for any family that would appear before such a judge.
* 57 inches, really? So you are keeping your children in a car seat past puberty? That has fallen off the silly boat into a vat of ridiculousness.
What should families like myself do, that have only 2 seats in the backseat and three children? That is honestly a question for all of the "experts"- is it safer for one child to be in the front seat or in the backseat without a seat belt?
For the record, I was pulled over a few weeks ago for a non-moving violation (taillight burned out) and the CHP officer did not bat and eye. My DD5 was in the front seat *gasp* AND not in a booster. *double gasp*

Ideally it would be considered if dad BROKE THE LAW...

And I don't believe your last sentence for one second.

I have been pulled over before for a non-moving violation and the first thing they did was check the children to see if they were properly restrained. Then they asked for my license.

As to what to do--I guess you should plan your vehicles better.

We were a family of 6 with a secondary car that seated only 5. We couldn't just make up on our own unsafe rules to squish in when the 6 passenger vehicle was in the shop.

Or you can just go really old school and have the child sit on the hump. It would be just as safe.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Well not really. Failure to report child abuse or neglect is a violation of the law. And over feeding your child is a form of abuse. So technically I should be sending a lot of pictures of trip reviews to local authorities.

Who are you to say someone is over feeding a child from a trip report...

You don't know what they eat everyday...A trip is a vacation....A lot of people eat things they would never eat or feed their kids at home.

 

[CHawthorne]

Ummm...yeah you are purposely being difficult and distorting things here as I suspected.

Again..there are actual laws in all but 3 states I think regarding children remaining in a booster seat until a certain age/height and since the situation posted by the OP is a situation where it is NOT both parents making this choice it is absolutely the right of the child's mother to know what is going on and as I posted way way back if the OP brother is also in NJ they are indeed breaking the LAW..not the recommendations but the actual law of their state as it indicates that a child must be 8 years and 80lbs before they can be out of a booster seat and it states they must ride in the rear if there is a rear seat.

But it is my business to report all possible violations. If I am driving down the road and look over and see a child that may not be in the AAP’s recommended list of manufacturers I have every right to call the police and CPS. I also have every right to call the police when I believe a child may not be at the recommended height.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Well not really. Failure to report child abuse or neglect is a violation of the law. And over feeding your child is a form of abuse. So technically I should be sending a lot of pictures of trip reviews to local authorities.

I have no issue with calling police over an unsafe condition for a child in a car.

But since you do, I doubt you will be calling out parents on too many cupcakes.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

But it is my business to report all possible violations. If I am driving down the road and look over and see a child that may not be in the AAP’s recommended list of manufacturers I have every right to call the police and CPS. I also have every right to call the police when I believe a child may not be at the recommended height.

If you could read the car seat sticker through the car door, I would be really amazed.

You are correct though--you have every right to report something if you feel it is unsafe. But by the tone of your posts, I doubt that you will.

 

[CHawthorne]

Who are you to say someone is over feeding a child from a trip report...

You don't know what they eat everyday...A trip is a vacation....A lot of people eat things they would never eat or feed their kids at home.

I’m looking out for the child. Just like someone looking out for a child not properly restrained. I would hope they would not take the stance of not restraining their child because they were on vacation. Safety is a full time job.

 

[CHawthorne]

There is an age for most states..like NJ that indicates 8 years AND 80lbs..so 5 years and 80lbs would still require a child restraint not an adult seat belt.

Your comments are beyond ridiculous here..people aren't making up the recommendations or the state laws and in this situation it was regarding the child not being properly restrained and most likely violating not only recommendations that are out there but state law as well.

Again you are wrong. Per the office of the Attorney General in the State of NJ. Refer to the first FAQ:

My son is 7 years old and weighs 83 pounds. Is he required to ride in a booster seat?

A - No. When a child reaches 80 pounds, s/he is no longer required to ride in a booster seat, but must be secured in a properly adjusted seat belt.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I’m looking out for the child. Just like someone looking out for a child not properly restrained. I would hope they would not take the stance of not restraining their child because they were on vacation. Safety is a full time job.

...ok......

Apples and oranges....Cupcake for breakfast at Disney World? Not being properly restrained...Oh yeah...TOTALLY see how they are similar.

 

[Coconut36]

And you are not? The recommendations, by your own account, are "safer." Not a guarantee. And also, not an automatic death sentence. And for someone to compare a child old enough to ride a school bus riding in a front seat to handing them a loaded weapon is just as inflammatory.
People pick their own causes to obsess over. Apparently we found yours. Because in the 17 years I have been a licensed driver, in the 9 years i have been a parent and all the available classes that come with that privilege- I have never, ever heard the term "death seat" unless I was discussing a capitol offence, and then the proper term is "death chair."
Now, if you will excuse me I have to go pick my DD up from school. Time to sign her death warrant, I guess!

No I am not distorting anything as I clearly posted the recommendation and mentioned several state LAWS..like California state law that starting in January will require children to be at least 8 years old before they can ride in an adult seat belt. So go pick up your kid..but you might want to read up on the laws of your state for future reference

(current state law appears to be at least 6 years and 60lbs: http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27360.htm )

http://aoe.carlsbadusd.k12.ca.us/Pdfs/Wellness/CA-new-child-safety-seat-law.pdf

same info as above..different law enforcement memo:
http://local.nixle.com/alert/4754093/

Distorting it would mean I am making the info up or using false information however I am not..I am reviewing state by state laws regarding child restraints and the height/age/weight requirements for each one.

As for the death seat reference..it's a slang term used to refer to the passenger seat in a vehicle..I have heard it used by law enforcement as well as by people I know..kind of like how people call motorcycles "donorcycles". Not an official term but based on safety risks how they are referenced by some:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/death+seat

 

[CHawthorne]

No I am not distorting anything as I clearly posted the recommendation and mentioned several state LAWS..like California state law that started in January will require children to be at least 8 years old and at least 57" before they can ride in an adult seat belt. So go pick up your kid..but you might want to read up on the laws of your state for future reference

(current state law appears to be at least 6 years and 60lbs: http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27360.htm )

http://aoe.carlsbadusd.k12.ca.us/Pdfs/Wellness/CA-new-child-safety-seat-law.pdf

same info as above..different law enforcement memo:
http://local.nixle.com/alert/4754093/

Distorting it would mean I am making the info up or using false information however I am not..I am reviewing state by state laws regarding child restraints and the height/age/weight requirements for each one.

You just did though and that is the problem. People are going by what they think the law is. For example you just told me that in the state of NJ my child has to be 8 AND 80 pounds. And I have provided the link which very clearly proves your claim as incorrect. So if you saw me putting a child into a normal seat you would be on the phone with the police and thus causing drama for the family because you misinterpreted the law. That is also very dangerous.

Here is the link:
http://www.nj.gov/lps/hts/childseats/childseats_newlaw.html

 

[Coconut36]

You just did though and that is the problem. People are going by what they think the law is. For example you just told me that in the state of NJ my child has to be 8 AND 80 pounds. And I have provided the link which very clearly proves your claim as incorrect. So if you saw me putting a child into a normal seat you would be on the phone with the police and thus causing drama for the family because you misinterpreted the law. That is also very dangerous.

Here is the link:
http://www.nj.gov/lps/hts/childseats/childseats_newlaw.html

It was worded on the state by state website I was reviewing as an "and" situation not an "or" That is why I said people should review the law for their state or the state in question to understand it. I don't live in NJ so my only exposure is based on what I read online. I assure you if I lived there or traveled there I would be well versed on the law and I would most certainly verify it before I "called" on anyone.

 

[CHawthorne]

It was worded on the state by state website I was reviewing as an "and" situation not an "or" That is why I said people should review the law for their state or the state in question to understand it. I don't live in NJ so my only exposure is based on what I read online. I assure you if I lived there or traveled there I would be well versed on the law and I would most certainly verify it before I "called" on anyone.

But you are wrong. You took your information from an out of date website and proceeded to tell me I was wrong. And you didn't say I should review the state laws, you very clearly made a statement that was in fact incorrect; and that if acted upon would cause an obscene amount of damage to a family.

That is very dangerous.

 

[Coconut36]

But you are wrong. You took your information from an out of date website and proceeded to tell me I was wrong. And you didn't say I should review the state laws, you very clearly made a statement that was in fact incorrect; and that if acted upon would cause an obscene amount of damage to a family.

That is very dangerous.

Uh huh...just like not properly restraining a child is on par with extra treats on vacation.

If you missed it before then I will re iterate..if in doubt review your state laws regarding child restraint requirements. The laws vary from state to state so it is always best to clearly understand the laws in the state you live in or will be traveling in.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Uh huh...just like not properly restraining a child is on par with extra treats on vacation.

(Not at you...at the PP)

 

[CHawthorne]

Uh huh...just like not properly restraining a child is on par with extra treats on vacation.

Joke all you want. I don't even live in NJ and with 5 seconds of research I proved you wrong. And instead of just apologizing for posting incorrect information you play it off. To me that is equally as damaging and just proves that most people should just mind their own business because they really don’t know what they are talking about.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

most people should just mind their own business because they really don’t know what they are talking about.

You're right

 

[Coconut36]

Joke all you want. I don't even live in NJ and with 5 seconds of research I proved you wrong. And instead of just apologizing for posting incorrect information you play it off. To me that is equally as damaging and just proves that most people should just mind their own business because they really don’t know what they are talking about.

Try reading it..I indicated my source indicated it as an "and" situation not an "or" situation. I am not going to apologize for it because I am not acting on it..if I called the authorities on someone based on an outdated website by all means would I apologize but I am at the mercy of the data I see and as I indicated if I lived there or traveled there I would be well versed in the law and I would certainly verify it before I called on anything I saw so no I still disagree that when it comes to child restraint and the laws of the state it is a MYOB situation especially if the law is being broken. In the case of the OP the child is unlikely to weigh 80lbs and is under the age of 8, thus the law is being broken in that state (and I do believe I urged the OP to review and understand the laws where this is happening so it is not being based on what I or others might post/say about them).