Car Seat Safety: Advocate or Zealot?

[gummybear]

Sept 4, 2015 11:24:22 GMT -5 whattheheck said:

I hope if you’re a zealot, you’ll read this and know that I understand where you’re coming from even if I abhor your approach. I want to see all kids as safe as possible too. I’m kept awake by the local news that another child was killed because she was unrestrained. I become physically ill when I see a picture of a friend’s small child in an ill-fitting seat belt without a booster in my Facebook feed. I’m frustrated when a parent HAS an appropriate seat that isn’t maxed out, but chooses not to continue to rear-face for reasons they can’t explain. Some nights I do lie in my bed and cry because it seems like we are not getting anywhere. Beautiful babies are still dying. I get it, truly I do. But I know becoming a zealot won’t change those things.

First off, she should seek some professional help for the bolded.

Second, I get it. I do. Car seat safety is of the utmost importance and information and knowledge is power. It's an easy fix for most issues and it can save lives. I appreciate any information that can be provided to me about making my kids safer. She makes a good point about the zealots.

I feel like car seat safety is the new smug mommy war. Who can rear-face the longest. Who can swoop in the fastest on the cute viral video of the kid being told he's going to Disney and critique and bash the parents about a low chest clip, loose straps or twisted belt.

It makes me want to tune it all out.

[livinitup]

I think most zealots think they are being reasonable and respectful ... When they are NOT.

[sparkythelawyer]

While this lady is a bit....emotional, I agree with a lot of it. I pretty much hate read the "Car Seats for The Littles" group on FB because they really do not get how ridiculous they sound sometimes. This includes a whole long-winded post about how it was not appropriate to call a poster's kid cute when she posts a picture of her kid in their seat and needing guidance. They turn off a lot of people they could help with their attitude.

[sporklemotion]

Sept 4, 2015 11:29:57 GMT -5 gummybear said:

Sept 4, 2015 11:24:22 GMT -5 whattheheck said:

I hope if you’re a zealot, you’ll read this and know that I understand where you’re coming from even if I abhor your approach. I want to see all kids as safe as possible too. I’m kept awake by the local news that another child was killed because she was unrestrained. I become physically ill when I see a picture of a friend’s small child in an ill-fitting seat belt without a booster in my Facebook feed. I’m frustrated when a parent HAS an appropriate seat that isn’t maxed out, but chooses not to continue to rear-face for reasons they can’t explain. Some nights I do lie in my bed and cry because it seems like we are not getting anywhere. Beautiful babies are still dying. I get it, truly I do. But I know becoming a zealot won’t change those things.

First off, she should seek some professional help for the bolded.

Second, I get it. I do. Car seat safety is of the utmost importance and information and knowledge is power. It's an easy fix for most issues and it can save lives. I appreciate any information that can be provided to me about making my kids safer. She makes a good point about the zealots.

I feel like car seat safety is the new smug mommy war. Who can rear-face the longest. Who can swoop in the fastest on the cute viral video of the kid being told he's going to Disney and critique and bash the parents about a low chest clip, loose straps or twisted belt.

It makes me want to tune it all out.

Yup. I can't remember the last time I saw a pic in a car seat that didn't include flaming for a slightly lowered chest clip or possibly too bulky sweater.

[bugandbibs]

This piece seems off and full of hyperbole.

I'll be honest, car seat safety is something I am super passionate about because of my job. My kids RF until 4 when their spines fuse because I have taken care of too many kids in wheelchairs from car accidents. I do my best to educate in a non-judgmental way, but my conversations are usually in person so it's easier to not be an asshole.

I do think the concept of "ride to the max" is a good one. This is how I frame conversations. Use the car seat you have to its fullest capacity.