So Hannah had a friend over the other day, one of the few that lives pretty close to us that doesn't do before/after school care, so I was going to ask her mom if she wanted to carpool - I will take the girls to school in the morning, if she'd bring them back in the afternoon. Would make it easier on me since usually I am having to wake Megan in order to get Hannah in the afternoon.

Well, let's just say,that's NOT going to HAPPEN! I went to take her friend home the other day after playing, and they both got in my van, and she sat in the middle bucket seat. The only one that doesn't have a booster. I said, no, you need to get in the back. She said she doesn't sit in car seats. I said, well you should, it is safer and you aren't tall enough to ride without one. She said she never sits in one, and refused to sit in it. So, I called her mom to come get her. When her mom got there, she acted like I was insane. I politely told her that if her daughter was not going to follow my rules in my van, then she could not ride in my van. She said it is stupid for my rules to include a 7 year old child sitting in a booster seat, especially when it is only 1.5 miles. I just said that she does not pass the 5-step test, so regardless of her age it is not safe for her to ride without a booster. She stormed off muttering something about crazy strict parents.

Yesterday I picked up Hannah from school, and getting ready to pull out onto the street from the school, I see this woman, and the child STANDING up in the back seat reaching over to do something. So not only does she not make her sit in a booster, apparently she doesn't care whether she's even buckled.

So, suffice to say Hannah will not be carpooling!

(BTW, Hannah told me later she knows why she has to sit in a booster, and she doesn't care if she has to and her friends don't. That's my girl.)

How dare you follow the law and want your child to be safe. I mean sheesh! That parent is teaching that child to be a complete brat as well. Kids like that don't get invited to play. Joey may not be thrilled to be in a booster but she understands she needs to be safe and would rather be safe than sorry.

That is garbage. I cannot believe how mad that lady got after you were trying to make her daughter more safe. I would consider reporting her to the police if you continue to see her child unrestrained in her car. Forget about anyone that thinks that is going overboard, the thought should be on the safety of her daughter. Even if she doesn't care about making her daughter safe, the law is the law.

GOOD for you for following current child passenger safety recommendations and for standing your ground with this child and her parent!

KUDOS to Hannah!

wow! thats all I can say.
My niece is 7 and doesn't ride in a booster sometimes. BUt its in the car with the adjustable seat belts and she passes the 5 point in those. She is tall though, more like a 9 year old hieght.
I just called my sister this morning as they are flying out here this weekend. So I told her that Texas has just passed the law and its everywhere right now! So they might actually follow it for a while at least. But all kids 8 and under and under 4'9" have to be in a booster no matter what! At least that is what they say on the news.

intersting
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/pr060209.pdf

the fines are dumb only 25 bucks for a first offense and 250 for a second. Should bu much much higher!

That's a low fine. Whst is it for an adult riding with no seat belt?

200 I believe but not positive. I think its pretty darn low too. I would say for an older child (like school age) first offense like 50, then after that much steeper. And a younger child (like under 4) should be mega high!

I totally agree.