The Car Seat Dance
I am a safety nut. I love all things prevention, I admit it. I also have to admit that while I have the best intentions of fulfilling all safety laws without a fuss, my children have a different approach.
Ohio’s Child Passenger Safety Law went to effect on October 7th. This means all children under 8 years have to be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall. This law passed a few months ago and we have been using a booster for Enu since I heard about it and she is not happy. She has gone from never wearing a seat belt (Ethiopia) to having to wear a seat belt (too tight mom) and now a booster. She is 7 years old and boosters are so uncool you know! Thankfully I compared the law with her recent Dr. appointment measurements and she is now allowed to be booster seat free according to the state of Ohio (by 1 inch!). You can just hear my sigh of relief through these words I ‘m sure.
As much as I love safety, I hate conflict every-time we get into the car. So now three of my four kids can just wear a regular car seat (joy!!!!!!).
Then there is Elle. My runt. My little girl who hates anything remotely tight or snug. My little 35 pound almost five year old that will have to be in a booster until she is 10 I’m sure. All I can do is pray and try not to get to angry as she pulls and screams at the booster’s belts.
I have tried everything I can think of to help with this dastardly dance. I have pulled over and secured her seat. I have used strong Velcro to get her belts on better, I have taken away TV privileges. I have plead, bribed and bargained. Her Grammy has promised her a DS if she stops the crying. I have also ignored her, actually that is what I usually do. So if you see me looking serene behind the wheel of my car and then see Elle bright red with her mouth wide open, don’t think I’m heartless. I have just gone to my happy place where Elle is 40 pounds, four foot nine and is in a regular seat-belt.
I would love to hear what has worked for you and you family in regards to car seats and seat belts!
Tags: Car seats, seat-belts
We switched the girls to the backless boosters that use the regular seatbelt when they were between 30 and 35 pounds. They were so much happier because it wasn’t always pinching and much easier to adjust as heavier coats were added or shed. They also enjoyed the new found independence of learning to buckle their seat belt all by themselves. Target has two or three to choose from for under $20 and I’m sure Walmart or KMart does too.
The backless booster sounds like a great idea! I have one if you want to try and see if it works.
In the mean time tell Miss Elle that Grammy said….Think DS, Think DS, Think DS,,,,,,,,,oh yea, Remember a Tinkerbell Game will be thrown in if she keeps our ENTIRE bargain….Miss Elle knows what I am referring to!
Your Grammy Loves you!