Car Seat Safety 101
I picked up Claire from church the other day, and a classmates grandma had parked next to us. Claire needed to call daddy so we were just hanging out in the parking lot when grandma came out with her two grandsons (cousins not brothers), she put one in a booster seat and the other (who wont be 4 until March) in just the seat. My jaw dropped and I panicked, I seriously did.
I didn't say anything to her, and it is still haunting me to this very moment, what if something had happened on her way home? How would I be able to sleep at night? I am not sure if I should say anything to her daughter with whom we are associates with. Maybe I shouldn't say anything at all, which is probably the right answer because people can get very sensitive over this kind of stuff. I am very conflicted over this situation. If I thought grandma was just visiting from out of town and this would be a one time ordeal I would probably just let it go even though I wouldn't want to; however this grandma has the boys a good chunk of the time. One she even has five days a week as his mom works.
What are your thoughts?
5 comments:
That is a tough situation. My husband and I were just struggling with a situation where it was socially out of place for us to give advice to someone but we feel that it is really in their best interest. At this point we are still praying about it, so I have no answers for you.
It does drive me nuts though. I once saw a lady in our neighborhood driving around with her 2 year old on her lap (we was "driving.") Eeek!
No idea what to do. Some people just really don't think it is important at a certain age. I would probably at least mention it to the mom though--maybe she is not aware.
Me, I would totally say something to the grandma. And when she says something like "None of you had carseats" remind her gently that the cars were much smaller and people were a bit less crazy on the road. Fatalities are the norm now, not injury...sadly enough. I am the CARSEAT NAZI!!!!!!
That's a tough one - but I would be just as conflicted. What about conversationally asking the Mom what her kids use in the car? Bring it up like you're debating between a booster/car seat or regular booster, etc? Then you can guage what she puts her kids in and maybe that will give you a bit more guidance or a feel for if you should say something? I agree that it's a safety issue, but people can be strange.
If you do say something, just tell her, you wanted to see if she knew and you won't bring it up again, etc.
Good luck! And I'm sorry about your friend with the food allergy. Let me know if she's interested and I can get you my e-mail. It is all so overwhelming, especially in the beginning.
Maybe you could ask your friend "What car/booster seat do you use for _____"? "We're thinking of getting something new and I'm looking for recommendations". If she says we don't use one, I'd let it go and pray for the child. Otherwise if they use one, I'd mention it to the the Grandma and if you get no where with her, I'd mention it to the friend. I know it's a tough situation, but God forbid something happen to that child....
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