How do you guys feel about the booster seat laws being put in place?

[mamagardener]

I don't see what the big deal is. If it even makes it a little safer for my children, I will do it. Adults can do whatever they want, but when it comes to children we are responsible for their safety, I for one will do anything if it helps keep my kids safe.

 

[babylady4]

For all of you who think this is invasion of privacy and the gov. trampling on your rights, good for you. So, when you are in that catastrophic car accident and refuse to have your children or yourself strapped in with boosters and seat belt (or not wearing a helmet while on a motorcycle) please do not be offended if the paramedics do not assist you or take you to the hospital because of your choice. I for one and tired of paying the hospital bills (through insurance or taxes) of people who choose to put their nose up at items designed to protect you in case of an accident. Don't come crying when you child has been killed in an accident because of not being in a booster seat. I look at it this way; I worked 9 long months to get this child here, I am not going to risk this child's safety for anything. If the laws were not in place I would still have my kids riding in a booster until a certain age because it just makes sense. To me, it is irresponsibility of the parents to NOT make sure their kids are safe in a car. The forces and physics involved in a car accident are so violent, kids just do not have the physical capabilities to withstand an accident without the proper safety precautions.

To those of you who do not want to go out and get a different car due to booster laws? That is just selfish, you knew of these laws when you had kids and to risk their lives just because you don't want to get a different car just blows my mind. You can always replace a car, you can't replace your child.

I'll get off my soap nox now.......

 

[Smartie_Pants]

I think its all a matter of the times and how you grew up. I have never even seen a booster seat in any of the cars in my area, I didn't even know they made them for older kids until I saw the new law on tv! Its also kind of like when Brittany Spears drove with her son on her lap and everybody made a big stink. When I was little, we did that ALL the time. In fact, I would beg my mom to take me out driving and let me sit on her lap and "steer" the car!

I always wear my seatbelt, and its always across my neck. I have to constantly push it down. My mom has slammed on the breaks and, even as a teen, I have almost come out of the seatbelt at times. Yes, I think people SHOULD wear their seatbelt, and yes, I think they SHOULD put their kids in protective equipment. That should be their choice to do so, and if they don't they will have to live (or not live) with the consequences should anything happen. I do agree however that the taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for their medical bills. The people who choose not to should have to pay extra insurance to cover that.

 

[scbatz33]

Let me add, my kids always wear their seat belt and I ALWAYS followed the booster/car seat laws in my state.

I read ALL the posts and I don't believe that anyone is saying children should not be protected. In fact, I think we all agree they should. The major complaint - as I have it too - is the government regulating our every breath, AND, being so arbitrary in doing so.

State and federal laws do not always mesh. State to state the laws are different - size, height, age. This is confusing and makes the reasoning behind these kinds of laws seem ridiculous and based on money or special interests vs. actual science.

And, might I say, Babylady, some states change their laws like most folks change their socks. I think it is unreasonable to assume that folks don't want to protect their children when they complain about a NEW law that forces them to make a MAJOR purchase(which they may not be able to afford) because some legislator got a wild hair. The KY law for example WAS JUST changed. So if you ALREADY have children and were obeying the law THAT THEY JUST CHANGED, it is unreasonable to say the parent is "selfish".

I know If my kids were still car seat age and I was still in KY I would be up the proverbial creek with out a paddle. I drive a 99 little 4 door and my hubby a 92 F-150. We don't have the financial reserves to purchase a new car to meet the regulations of a CHANGED law. I don't drive a 10 year old car because I like the way it handles!!! Some folks just don't have the money to spare. I know all my income goes to clothing, feeding and caring for my 2 children, so barring winning the powerball this week......

I think we should ALL remember that everyone's experiences are not our own. And, while we may feel that "our way" is the best way of living, not everyone is in the position to, nor has the same values to live the way we feel they should. I tell my DH all the time, you can't put your values and expectations on how to do things on others, it will only leave you frustrated and angry. Which is why I go back to my earlier statement - the government should not be in the business of regulating morality.

We should try hard to keep this in mind when posting because sometimes our passions lead to harsh and overly argumentative statements. These kinds of topics are very emotional and can lead to hurt feelings and closed posts if we don't take care to be kind and considerate. IMESHO - of course.

 

[PotterWatch]

Quote:
But it isn't your choice to viciously beat your child, another thing that could put their lives in danger. You don't get to choose to starve them or force them to work at a dangerous job when they are 10years old. There are lots of things mandated by the government that are designed to keep children safe even if their parents don't agree, this just happens to be one of them.

We do have constitutional rights, but the right to do whatever the heck we want isn't one of them and frankly I wouldn't want to live somewhere that allowed people to do whatever they wanted whenever they wanted to do it.

I'm not even going to touch the abortion comments because this isn't the appropriate forum to discuss that sort of thing.

 

[mamagardener]

It's not about rights, it's about CHILD SAFETY!!!!!

 

[Lucky Ducky]

Here in NM the law is they have to be in one up to 12 years if they are not over 6 AND 60 lbs. or 4'9". That means you have to have an obese 6 year old or an extremely tall for their age one in order for them not to be in a booster seat. I have 3 children under the age of 8 and ALL of them are in a booster or carseat (my youngest is almost 2). Luckily I have an SUV that my parents got for me, we were broke and in no way could've afforded anything at the time.

 

[scbatz33]

Quote:
This is absolutely irrelevant, but is Truth or Consequences south of Albuquerque? I couldn't remember. I know I've been there before. Have you ever been to Pie Town?

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Quote:
But it isn't your choice to viciously beat your child, another thing that could put their lives in danger. You don't get to choose to starve them or force them to work at a dangerous job when they are 10years old. There are lots of things mandated by the government that are designed to keep children safe even if their parents don't agree, this just happens to be one of them.

We do have constitutional rights, but the right to do whatever the heck we want isn't one of them and frankly I wouldn't want to live somewhere that allowed people to do whatever they wanted whenever they wanted to do it.

I'm not even going to touch the abortion comments because this isn't the appropriate forum to discuss that sort of thing.

I wasn't trying to start a debate, I was just saying if we are allowed to make choices about other things, we should be allowed to make our own choices regarding seatbelts. I believe in personal responsibility. I apologise if my post offended you in anyway, that wasn't my intentions, and I'll edit it out if it will help?

babylady4, what do you say to parents who do have their kids properly strapped in, who are strapped in themselves, and yet their kids still get killed or badly injured in an accident?

 

[OlliOlliOlli]

All I can say is, when I'm behind someone and I can see 3 small children bouncing around in the backseat obviously unbuckled, I question the parenting of these children. I was cut off by a woman at 80mph who nearly broadsided me into an 18 wheeler. In the backseat were several kids bouncing around. What message do you send your kids when you don't keep them buckled in and drive in a way that could kill others? They grow up and act just like mommy....that a car is not a deadly weapon and is not to be respected.