I was looking at sites this week to see what other people had to say. I came across Supernanny.
Looking through the information, I came across a site about car seats. It stated that the NHTSA says that children under 4 feet 9 inches should be in booster seats. Age wise that is around 8 years old. By focusing on safety, the NHTSA is overlooking the deeper problem of children wanting to be in charge themselves.
My children are 9 and 12 years old. They would not be caught in a booster seat. For one thing, they would feel too restrained. My oldest likes to control the radio. Being able to reach it is a must. I also ask her for help reading signs and checking traffic when I am driving. She needs to be able to move to do this.
My children are also of the age where friends opinions are important. They feel that other kids would laugh at them or tease them if they were seen in a booster seat. I agree. Safety of my children is important to me. However, I don't feel that I need to tie them up.
I have rules in the car. Wear seatbelts, no laying down, no eating, and sit still. If the rules are not being followed, I stop until everything is OK.
I am not saying booster seats are bad. I just feel that at a certain age, kids are going to stop obeying and refuse to cooperate. Each child has a mind of their own and will behave as they feel fit.
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Safety is very important but so is slighty loosening the reins on children. At an age like 9 and 12 they are quickly desiring control in their lives and the best thing I believe a mother can do is to give them little things they can control to suffice for not giving them full control. I think you are doing a great job of allowing them that sense of control and keeping them participating with you and eachother as you drive! It is a great way for the three of you to bond and spend time together while doing an unavoidable task like driving.
ReplyDeleteI agree, as long as there are at least some rules and the parent has control over the car I would consider it safe. It's rediculous to put a height requirement on booster seats, especially since some kids don't reach above that height until they're pre-teens.
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