I don’t make it a habit of judging people because I know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of that. However, I simply can’t take it anymore.
This is a general rant and is not directed at any one person in particular.
Forgive me if I offend you.
I am saying this not only as a parent but as a former firefighter and paramedic. Please, put your kids in a friggin carseat. There is absolutely no excuse not to.
When you leave the hospital after your child is born they ask you if you need a carseat. You could have said yes and it would have been free. I don’t want to hear you can’t afford one. There are organizations in your community that will provide you with free carseats.
I can’t tell you what it feels like to see you driving down the freeway with your 3 year old child climbing all over the inside of the car. I don’t understand what makes you think that it’s okay to allow that. Do you not fear the loss or injury of your child.
I have been the one to pull a child out of a car wreck that wasn’t secured in a carseat or seat belt. I have seen the injuries and I know what can happen to those who never think it will happen to them.
Please for the love of God and your children, put your child in a goddamn carseat. If you can’t afford one, look into your local community services, you can very likely acquire one at no cost.
Please do not take chances with your child’s life. You will never be able to undo that mistake and you will never forgive yourself.
Alright, I have spoken my peace and I will not make a habit of doing this.
don't know where the above part that says my recent post came from.
My recent post Kurt-Jürgen Freiherr von Lützow
Yes, Amen and well said. To add to that rant, children should never be left alone in the car. That is just as crazy and I have seen it far to often.
My recent post Kurt-Jürgen Freiherr von Lützow
If people can afford a car, they can afford a car seat for their children. I do not think though, that the people who read your blog, is the ones you need to reach on this subject. Advocate in your community for stronger enforcement of penalties in this area. Isn't there something called "reckless endangerment" in the US?
our youngest is going to be 11 and still rides in a booster seat. tough if he doesn't like it. A couple of days ago my wife was turning a corner, she had the green and a car ran the red light. the driver locked up his brakes and the car careened a good 70 feet. If she hadn't completed the turn as quickly as she could, that driver would have hit her broadside in our mini-van. On the same side as my son was sitting. Not saying the booster seat would have saved him, but why risk it, especially when the seat will be provided to you if you can't afford one.
My recent post Why Self-Control Matters and How to Get More of It
It drives me crazy too. I see it all the time. And in my 19 years as a firefighter/EMT I have seen ONE child who was properly secured get seriously injured in a car wreck,(she later made a full recovery) but over a dozen ejected and killed because they weren't belted in. It devastates families and communities, and chisels away at the souls of the emergency responders. I KNOW how hard it is to keep some kids belted in properly. My daughter is a little houdini who can defeat just about any system I've found, but the second she undoes her straps or wriggles out, we're pulling over and I'm re-securing her. There is no excuse, and nothing that will heal you if you're in an accident and your child is injured or killed.
Amen. Very well said..
Someone NEEDS to 'make a habit' of asking — no TELLING parents to grow up and act responsibly about the safety of their children. Thanks for your rant… you saved ME the trouble!
Thanks. This is something that really bothers me. 🙂
being that I was in a car accident when i was 10, I know better. My kids always sit in a cars seat.
I have been fortunate enough to be able to afford them. But people who cannot, should NEVER use it as an excuse. I know because I gave both my baby sits away. Kids grow up and anyone who had one will part with them once their kids outgrow them.
There's no shame in asking!
There is a lot of shame when an accident happens and your kids get injured just because you "didn't think"!
Amen! Amazing that in this day and age, people, still do this. My son, who is almost 10 years old is still in a carseat, because of his small size and weight. He complains, but I would rather have him complain than be dead. Same reason that my 10 year old cannot sit in the front seat. It is not safe. I don't care how many of her friends sit in the front seat. It is just too dangerous.
My daughter is 11 going into 6th and still sits in a booster. I don't care if she complains, it is what it is! I am her
parent, put in charge of her, which means all the repsonsibilities that entails! I agree wholeheartedly! Get a car
seat!