More specifically, the AAP advises parents that for children over two, they should sit in Forward-Facing Seat with Harness. These safety seats should be used as long as possible, until child is within the height and weight restriction for the seat.
After your child has outgrown the forward facing carseat with a harness, he should be in a booster seat until he is 4 feet 9 inches, and between 8 and 12 years of age.
My daughter is now 13, so this will not affect her. But I cannot imagine convincing her to sit in a booster seat if she were still 12, or under the height guidelines. And somehow I do not expect to see many of her middle school classmates emerging from booster seats in the drop off lane at school.
I definitely have no problems with the first two guidelines. And both my boys will be following them (well, number two anyway-- they are now 6 and 4. But already my six year old is questioning me about when he can get out of the booster seat. So I know keeping him in his until he turns 12 will be challenging, to say the least. I imagine I can do the booster seat thing until he pushes nine, but after that, I am sure it will be a daily battle.
But if it keeps them safer, I guess I will be getting my battle gear ready.
So how do you feel about these new car seat guidelines?