NCDR: good carseat RF resources?

freezorburn · August 2014

So, in spite of several times clearly stating to MIL in emails that we are continuing to RF DS in his carseat (for those on mobile, he's a little over 2yo and maybe around 24 lbs. -- a string bean), one of those times being in response to her asking me for clarification, today she let a police officer (presumably the local carseat safety inspector) talk her into installing our convertible seat in her car FF. Probably because the law only requires RF until 2yo where she is? IDK.

Any good articles or other resources that I can show her to explain why ERF is a good idea? I feel like most of my info is either second-hand through forums like this. Even when I run a search, it is mostly forum posts that pop up. And also my browser keeps defaulting to UK sites, so I need a few good US resources featuring People Who Know What They Are Talking About. And why, just because the law says 2 years, that doesn't mean it's long enough.

Appreciate any good stuff you can send my way -- thanks ladies!

nanabanana06 · August 2014

Ok, let me get my links cracking!

nanabanana06 · August 2014

https://csftl.org/rear-facing-car-seat-myths-busted/

https://csftl.org/why-rear-facing-the-science-junkies-guide/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKIeExpDLDA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gU9zzCGA8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuLq_Jr69ak

jess9802 · August 2014

How about, "Because he is my child and you will install his car seat as I ask you to or he will not travel with you?" The other resources are great, but I'd be prepared to break out that line.

I seriously don't understand why people have such an issue with RF. My MIL occasionally makes comments about DS not being able to see anything RF. She said this once as I was loading him into DH's Ford Explorer - DS had a great, unobstructed view of the back window. Lord.

freezorburn · August 2014

jess9802 said:

How about, "Because he is my child and you will install his car seat as I ask you to or he will not travel with you?" The other resources are great, but I'd be prepared to break out that line.

I seriously don't understand why people have such an issue with RF. My MIL occasionally makes comments about DS not being able to see anything RF. She said this once as I was loading him into DH's Ford Explorer - DS had a great, unobstructed view of the back window. Lord.

To be fair, I did encourage her to seek out the help and advice of her local carseat experts. Unfortunately, she has an overdeveloped sense of trust and deference to people in uniforms. Which is a different issue entirely.

Rrrrrachel · August 2014

Aap says minimum two years and preferably longer.

freezorburn · August 2014

Rrrrrachel said:

Aap says minimum two years and preferably longer.

He is past the minimum 2 years. "and preferably longer" apparently doesn't hold much weight if a police officer has a different opinion.

RockiesNugget · August 2014

freezorburn said:

jess9802 said:

How about, "Because he is my child and you will install his car seat as I ask you to or he will not travel with you?" The other resources are great, but I'd be prepared to break out that line.

I seriously don't understand why people have such an issue with RF. My MIL occasionally makes comments about DS not being able to see anything RF. She said this once as I was loading him into DH's Ford Explorer - DS had a great, unobstructed view of the back window. Lord.
To be fair, I did encourage her to seek out the help and advice of her local carseat experts. Unfortunately, she has an overdeveloped sense of trust and deference to people in uniforms. Which is a different issue entirely.

Tell her, "Yes, you CAN turn them FF at 2 years, but it is still safer for them to be RF and wouldn't you want DS to be in the safest position possible if a wreck were to happen while you were driving? Heaven forbid something happen while you were driving and DS is injured that could of been prevented by being RF, how would you feel?" (Show her the vidoes too!)

And yes this is playing the guilt card and slighly mean, but it seems that you feel strongly about DS remaining RF as long as possible. Then if she still doesn't want the car seat RF, use the "Because he is my child and you will install his car seat as I ask you to or he will not travel with you?" line.

I thought I was going to have to fight DH about LO being RFing as long as possible (everyone we already know turns their kids as soon as it is legal.) However, he was on board and made it a requirement to have high RF limits when we buy the convertible seats.

freezorburn · August 2014

Thanks everyone! MIL isn't going to just take my word for it, I think I need some good evidence to back it up. Because a police officer told her it would be okay to FF. And my word is nothing next to an officer of the law.

@nanaosaki06 I think Joel's story will be really effective with MIL since it is told from the perspective of a grandparent, and it sprinkles really good info throughout. I think I'll also include the science junkies guide to intimidate her too. Thank you!

freezorburn · August 2014

Oh, and I'm seriously scared of watching Cameron's story all the way through since it starts out with such happy music.

nanabanana06 · August 2014

Camerons Story is a tear jerker. It shows what happens when you FF too soon and when a child becomes a projectile in the car. It's a sad lesson those parents had to learn. The mom is now a huge advocate for ERF on CSFTL now.

freezorburn · August 2014

Well I emailed her back and we'll see what she says. I said that maybe the officer didn't have the most up-to-date information. And to also keep in mind when she watches Joel's story that DS may be older than Joel was at the time of his accident, but he is a LOT smaller. Hopefully that will be enough to get her to turn the seat around. In her email she referenced the officer's recommendation 3 times, so I think she just had a hard time saying no to him. Fingers crossed.

nanabanana06 · August 2014

You keep saying officer. So, she went to a police officer to get the seat installed? I'd probably tell her that just because the officer does car seat installs does not mean he's qualified to do so. Many people go to police officers and fire departments for car seat installations and inspections. Many are just briefly trained on the subject, but aren't qualified technicians. So, I'd tell her to get the seat reinspected by a CPST technician. Since they will know the current recommendations and are specifically trained for all things car seat related. Not just how to install them certain ways like an officer is.

freezorburn · August 2014

Hmm, not sure if he was a CPST tech. Thanks Nana.

momtosam · August 2014

Lots of great links. But honesty. It is MY CHILD, MY CHOICE. My DS is STILL RF and we plan to do so until he can no long RF by the seats standards. He is comfy and happy and never has complained.

Most officers do not know much about car seats. They can install but they do not know whether extended RFing is better or if they should be FF. Most in our area can not even install one properly. You have to go through a course. But that really is a laugh. My DH SUCKS at installing our carseat. I ALWAYS do it and yet he is car seat certified. LOL

But again. If it were me, MY child. My choice. If was not happy with my ILs choice then my DS would not be allowed in their car.

freezorburn · August 2014

MIL is a special snowflake and requires special handling. And we are trying to coordinate this car seat installation from 5 time zones away. I don't plan to budge on RF, but I do need to be diplomatic about it.

freezorburn · August 2014

I found these after Nana mentioned CPST certification -- I wish the language were stronger in favor of RF past the age of 2, but they're still very good and I thought I would share:

https://cpsboard.org/cps/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Rear-Facing-Quotables.pdf