unconventional parenting...

I'm a bit of what even I'd consider an "unconventional" parent. There are many aspects of parenting I've become passionate about now that before didn't make me think twice. One of which came up and blew up on my facebook today and that was car seat safety.

I shared a link on my facebook for other moms to see that the guidelines for car seats and boosters have changed to help educate them in case they had not noticed yet and could make an educated decision on what they felt was best for their kids. I got numerous "likes" and a few positive comments, and then a negative comment. That negative comment turned into a bit of an argument, she deleted her comments then messaged me which lead to my being called a bad name and deleted from her friends. This really saddens me, not really to "lose" a friend, but to have someone argue facts and research that's right in front of them for silly reasons.

Reasons I heard:

- There were less issues "back in the day" when we were babies and most of us weren't even in car seats

- My baby is big so my doctor told me it was "ok"

- I only turn him around to take pictures cause I have a small car and that's the only way I can get them.


Now I personally, along with several friends, think all 3 of those are insane reasons to ignore research and guidelines. For one, there are ALOT more cars on the road now than there were years ago. There are also a lot more people out there who ignore the laws (not much unlike her) driving around which causes more accidents. Either way, there is ALWAYS a chance at being in an accident and that chance to me is enough to take precaution and go with what is safest for my children.

An another note, I also dont see how any doctor would tell you it is "ok" to turn your child's car seat around at 6 months (and ignoring the law) because they meet the minimum weight alone. An infant reaching the weight minimum does NOT mean their neck/spine is strong enough to withstand the type of impact that goes with a collision. In my opinion, that is a red flag from any medial professional to find a new doctor!

And the third suggested reason, pictures. I am an avid picture taker and snap pictures of my kids all the time as does most proud parents, but that in no way should ever put their safety at risk. Being able to take pictures of your child while riding in the car is not something that should trump the law and what's safest for them and is pure ignorance.

Now I'd like to leave anyone who is interested and open to learning about car seat safety with a few links to help them, as education was my intent for the link I posted on my facebook. This, as well as my FB post, is not meant to cause a debate on what people think is best, just to inform so people are able to make more educated decisions. I wish I'd taken the chance to research it when my oldest was a baby and am thankful we never had to find out the "hard way."

Crash Test

Crash testing, along with a touching story of an 18 month old who was involved in a crash while forward facing.