This morning I got onto the elevator and saw one of my neighbors with a young girl who was visiting. We chatted for the ride and she said she would be "four in July." Medium-sized three year old.
Neighbor (young, childless) is carrying a backless booster. For a three year old.
My heart just went down to my toes. As we got of the elevator and stopped him "at the risk of being rude" but I asked him if that was what he was using to transport her. I just couldn't let it go. I let him know that it was illegal in our state to transport her that way (thought it sounded less agressive) that because of her age and size she had to ride in a regular car seat. I said that "I didn't know about the laws in her home state" (checked later, illegal there too even with their pathetic standards) but that he was facing a serious ticket as well as points on his driving record if he was stopped. He looked concerned and was struggling with the issue but it wasn't like there was much he thought he could do. Big day. On the way to the zoo. Zoo hat. They went their way and I went mine.
In retrospect, I could have offerred to let him borrow a car seat. I wish I thought of it at the time but I really felt at the end of what I could say. I've waved to him maybe five times in the elevator.
*sigh* Maybe he'll talk to the mom but I if she is using a backless booster on a three year old, I would guess that is an obstinate choice.
Pennsylvania has lousy car seat laws.
I hope she is safe today. =(
