Minneapolis/St. Paul Nesties
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Carseat/Booster Seat Laws
I'm very new to parenting as I became a stepmom just 2.5 weeks ago. We have a six year old and a 3.5 year old. So I'm full of questions!
What are the MN laws/guidelines for using carseats and booster seats? The only info I can find online says that until kids are over age 7 or taller than 4'9", they have to be in a carseat. But when can the kids sit in just a booster with no back on it?
TIA!
Re: Carseat/Booster Seat Laws
Don't they already have carseats/boosters?
I don't have kids so I'm unaware. Can you ask their Biological Mom? Doesn't their Dad know the regulations?
I am not a expert (but we do have one on here so I will make sure she sees this post)
It all depends on the seat the 6 yr old could be in a backless one but once again CHECK THE SEAT. something like this would work
http://www.toysrus.com/car-seat-finder/index.jsp
As far as the 3.5 year old they should still be in a 5 point harness car seat.
http://www.toysrus.com/car-seat-finder/index.jsp
4 and 40 lbs is the general recommendation for booster seats.
That said...it is not MN law, YET (although it is being worked on). They must remain in a booster seat until 8 or 4'9". (and the 4'9" is the more important goal to meet honestly, if the seat belt doesn't properly fit, it can do as much harm as good.)
But children are infinitely safer in a harness than a booster seat (as are adults...but that's just really not feasible).
MN state law does have a provision for proper use. So, by law, you must follow your manufacturer's guidelines for your seat.
I would not even consider a backless booster at 3.5, but my kid will be 3 on Sunday and is still rear facing, as that's the safest position for her.
I would get a booster for the 6 year old (assuming that's what he's riding in when he rides with dad) and then either a nautilus or frontier for the 3.5 year old. They're a forward facing only seat that has a harness and turns into a highback and then backless booster. If the 6 year old is still harnessed in dad's car, get two of the seats I mentioned.