Its so crazy to think that when we were kids we didnt even have to wear seat belts….eck

Awesome, I have had someone say to me my youngest, who is 6 but tall for her age, is tall enough to be without a booster seat and I said no way.

So important to follow these guidelines. Our kids safety should be paramount. Thanks for the refresher in these rules.

I never knew any of this when my boys were growing up and there was no law about them not being able to sit in the front seat of the car. That changed with my grandchildren. All sat in the back seat with appropriate restraints and seating.

This wasn’t a problem in my family as these laws weren’t in place when I had my family. However what happens now – my daughter who drives isn’t at that height limit. And my other daughter and myself just scrape in at 152/154cm and I must say that very few cars accommodate our size to drive them easily. We are not Robinson Crusoe – we are the norm. Driving is not as easy as one first thought.

Our twins are nearly 12 but small, they are the only kids in their class still in boosters. They don’t complain because their older sister had to go through it too (with much complaining may I add) and they know we want to keep them safe.

Yep, mine are both still in boosters. My eldest is in year 3 and hates it but they are short and I won’t let them transition out of it despite NONE of her other classmates using them.

Very wise and smart advice there, thank you very much for sharing this important information.

Yes! Yes! and Yes! My son is now 18 but seriously, the issues we had with car seating. He was small so we made him sit in a booster longer than all his friends, and he did not go to the front seat of the car for years after his peers. This caused angst when nearly every one else we knew let their kids go free range in front and back seats. It caused trouble nearly every time our son had to go in the car, whilst he would observe and share of his friends in the front seat long before they should have been, and out of boosters, etc. long before they should have been. I know I need only worry about my car and my child, but it was a battle every day trying to do the right thing. I would research and share my thoughts and research with others, only for it not to be considered.

Since my first was born, I’ve done a lot of research on seats and yes I did know this. My eldest was rear facing until she outgrew the rf limit on her seat, I just wish I knew about extended harnessing before I bought her convertible booster. She hasn’t outgrown the harness limits yet, but she is close and not being quite 4 yet, I’m not ready to change her to booster in the coming months. (Fingers crossed I can get a ext harness seat somehow). But yes, unless by some miracle I have tall long torso & leg kids, they will be staying in a child restraint until they meet the 5 step test.
Might be a bit of a struggle when they get older with extended family, but while I can control it, they will be seated safely.

We look like having a very tall child but I am still really worried about making sure he’s in the car seat as long as possible.

We always followed the height/weight guidelines when transitioning our kids to different car seats. Doing it because your baby is bored with rear facing……..really?!?!

My 9yr old old is still in her booster seat. Safety first indeed. Height is important.

I actually thought it was illegal for kids under 13 to travel in the front seat unless all other seats were occupied by other children.

safety first has always been our motto. In Vic. unless the law has changed children under a certain age are not allowed to sit in the front seat of any motor vehicle. Our 7 y;.o. is still in his booster seat and will be until he is too big for it.

Have to agree. Safety first alwaysover convenience

My daughter turned 8 in March, I have explained that she has to be a certain height before she doesn’t need her booster.
I also don’t allow anyone under 12 to sit in the front seat unless all other seats are taken my younger children.

Height is so much more important than age!

good article to read

Both of my kids are in car seats however I could not keep them rear facing for long as their legs were too long an they were getting scrunched up.