Is this illegal or just plain stupid?

msdrdg

There is a Mom at DS's daycare that I have been giving the side eye to for a long time.  She's never really done anything wrong, just dumb annoying things.  I know the teachers think she's an idiot too.

Anyway, she has a 5/6yo DS and a 2yo DD.  This morning when I pulled into the parking lot she was in her car fixing her makeup (really important for day care drop off) and her DS was standing in the backseat.  I didn't see her DD but thought nothing of it because she has been sick and I figured she was home with her grandparents.  But then she walked in with both kids.

When I left I looked in her car.  The back seat was full of crap, just barely enough room for her DS's booster seat.  Her DD's seat was in the front and I couldn't tell if it was set up as just a booster or as a 5point FF convertible.   I wouldn't put it past this idiot for it to be set up as a booster. 

I know this is really really stupid, but (assuming it's a 5pt convertible) is it actually illegal to have a 2yo in the front seat?

I plan on speaking to the director tonight when I pick up DS.  Or should I not, is this tattle worthy?  

Libby1978

I don't think that's legal.  In my state I think a child has to be at least 12 to ride in the front.

Hesterlicious

I think it is only illegal here if there is a back seat. No backseat then it's fine. Air bags are dangerous for little ones and that's why you kick the LOs behind you. Plus sanity reasons.

megperk72

I don't think it's illegal in most places, unfortunately. Definitely unsafe. The main reason it is so unsafe is due to airbags. Because of the force at which airbags deploy, they can cause great harm to children. This is why children ride in the back. However, if she is smart enough to disable them then it's really not that big of a deal (provided the child is in the proper seat and buckled properly.)

Kitiara5512

In Texas, I think its illegal to have any kid under 8 years old in the front seat. I think.

ridesbuttons

Considering some vehicles do not have back seats, I do not see how they can make it illegal for a child to ride in the front seat.

jess60

From what I can find online for MA, it is "recommended" but not law for children under 12 to ride in the back seat.

zeptattoo

I'm guessing you are in Maine?  According to their website, any child under 8 and 80 lbs has to be in a safety restraint seat.  Anyone under 12 and 100 pounds has to be in the rear seats, if possible.  I'm assuming the "if possible" is in regards to whether or not there is actually a rear seat in the car, not if the rear is full of crap.

jess60

zeptattoo:

I'm guessing you are in Maine?

Pretty sure that MA = Massachusetts

ME is Maine.

msdrdg

I think I am going to casually mention it to the teachers instead of the director tomorrow morning.  Since apparently it is not actually illegal, maybe the teachers can make a comment to her about it and it's less pushy.

 

gimmietimmies

Illegal - it depends on where you live. That setup would be here since ff car seats are required by law to be secured by a top tether, and you can't (according to car manufacturers) install a top tether anchor behind the front seats, except in the case of single row trucks. It's a seat belt ticket here, anytime a seat is installed incorrectly (according to manufacturer's instructions - this includes installing where an airbag can't be turned off), but finding an officer that actually knows the rules, far and few between.

The only thing I might do is mention it in passing to the director, maybe they can mention it to the mom. It's been done at one of the centers ds was at, they usually were pretty diplomatic about it.

ShellShockedMama

Illegal in Florida as far as I know. 

msdrdg

anna karenina:

No one else thinks it's kind of nosy that the poster took the time to inspect the car on the way out?

 

I was parked next to her and happened to look in on my way to my car.  It isn't like I went out of my way to do it.

LoveBeingAWife33008

It should be illegal.

tarebear9891

When I picked my oldest up from daycare last year, the lady in the pick up lane ahead of me tossed her two year old in the backseat. Her car was a fish bowl and it was very obvious her kid wasn't in a carseat at all, which is very illegal.

I mentioned it to the director who said she couldn't do anything until she saw it herself. I should have called the police.

[Deleted User]

If you have a concern, talk to the director about it.  They will know the rules & regs in your area.  After that, take some time off from being such a snoopy, judgy, biitch. 

AppleMomma

twatley:

In my state it is illegal to have a child that young in the front seat.

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