Booster Seats for kids up to 8 yrs old...it's the law  

States vary on the age, but I did see most were 8...some were 6, 7 and I am pretty sure at least one was 9! I think they also all say either "and" or "or" up to 4'9". So, if it says "and" and they are above the age but under the height they would still need to be in the seat...?

Sheesh, I know some adults who can't be much over 4'9...lol!

Thanks for responding.

Hi Carla, your son (I assume he is your avatar) is adorable. Enjoy- he will BE 7 before you know it! lol Thanks for responding.

Yeah, I need to go back and reread what my state says ('and' or 'or')...so I know for sure, too. I *think* that, since your law says OR, then if your son is under the weight, but over the age he is ok. And if a 5 yr old weighed in at 65 pounds, he would not have to be in the seat. If it said "AND" then they would have to meet both the age and the weight.

I believe it is OR - if it was AND for all three issues - seldom would a child fit into all three! So they had to make it to fit a large variety of combinations. My grand daughter fits the height and age, but just barely meets the weight by a pound. Her mom was anxious for her to be booster free - never did understand that.
I still have her in mine - don't see the problem. She never complains and likes haveing her cup holder and "junk" pocke right there. SHe gets in and she does her own seat belt (the cars belt)and off we go. I feel better knowing she has the little bit more safety.

Yes, it is 'or'. My 7 year old (who will be 8 in July) only meets the age requirement, not the height/weight. Like I said, he is small for his age (anyone that asks could swear he is half his age, he is that small). I have to help him buckle up as he is still using the 5 point harness. Though he has done most of it on his own before.

You wouldn't believe things I saw when working the drive through at a fast food restaurant in high school. Yikes! A big pet peeve of mine, too, is car seats that aren't even properly installed...twisted up seat belts and not even pulled tight so the seat is flopping around all over the place.

I bet you did see it all! Car seats are not that hard to deal with. I dont' know why everyone makes such an issue of them. Back in my baby days, the car seats were HUGE and awkward and hard to deal with and hook in and belt the child - the one I had had this front cover thing - you put the child in, use the car seat buckles then put this curved cover thing on the front - like putting hte child into an egg with and the front opens - nad then the cars seat belt was belted around the entire thing! It was by Graco too! IF they still did those kinds today instead of the quick and easy ones they have now, there'd be alot of kids not in a car seat! But they are so convenient now, I just dont see why there's a problem. ANd you can get htem cheap at yard sales and second hand stores, the kids grow out of them so fast, they can hardle be "used" before the need replace until they get about 4 years old or so, then they stay in them a little longer.

You have a point, but there is also an age thing - 60lb or 8 years old or 60 inches I believe it is here in CA. give or take here or there. My daugher is an officer so she knew specifics and she just let her daughter out of booster - 8 and 60 lbs. I still have a booster for her in my car - it isn't a problem and it just gives her a little bit of safety - she is tall and thin and the seat just boosts her enough for hte seat belt to work better. Next year, she might be to tall for the booster to help, but more it will hinder, but that's next year. I think most parents are just in to much a rush to get the kids grown or through 'that stage" and all. The world is making them grow up faster now...good grief, they dont even have a childhood anymore.

But hte boosters are not that "noticable" while in the car. I have one for my grand daughter and she doesn't have a single problem getting into it and buckling hte seat belt herself - she is 8. She happens to like the fact that it has a cup holder and a little "junk" pocket on the side and she wouldn't ahve either without it. She never complains. It is just a seat with arms. no back, nothing more. Just booster her up enough for the car's seat belts to work on her properly. I don't see peoples problem with keeping the kids in them or "looking forward" to when they dont' have to use them. Its all about the child's safety while you are driving. They had to make it a law so as to protect the child as so many were not taking care of the child while they were driving......