Is my son ready for a booster seat?

[jrose_lee]

My ds1 is 6.5 years old, 50 inches tall and 61 lbs.  Do you think he is ready for a  booster seat?  We actually have some really good harnessed seats that will still fit him, but we are trying to fit three seats in the back of our car.  Now that ds3 is having to switch out of the bucket seat I don't know that we can fit all three of the nicer seats in the car anymore.

The choices are: buy another Radian (we already have two and it's the only way to fit three across) or let him sit in a booster.  I'm not sure if we can afford another Radian at this time or if it would be worth it since ds1 is getting so big.  Should I just move him to a booster at this time?

Any thoughts?

[Maedze]

There is a good chance at 50" your son wouldn't fit by torso height in the Radian anyway :-)   He is more than old enough and large enough to fit correctly in a booster, but the most important component is a judgement call only you can make: how's his behavior?   In order to be safe in a booster he must sit maturely and still 100% of the time, and only his parents know if he's ready to do that!

[leighi123]

What seats do you have and what car do you have?   

While most 6yr olds are fine in a booster if they are mature enough to sit still, somtimes in small cars/3-across its easier to have all 3 in harnessed seats b/c it can be a pain to buckle a booster when its a tight fit.  
 

[Maedze]

Originally Posted by leighi123 

What seats do you have and what car do you have?   

While most 6yr olds are fine in a booster if they are mature enough to sit still, somtimes in small cars/3-across its easier to have all 3 in harnessed seats b/c it can be a pain to buckle a booster when its a tight fit.  
 

While I agree with this, the only seats that are likely to fit a 50" child are not 3-across conducive.   A kid who is 4'2" has likely outgrown the Radian by height unless he's extremely short waisted. 

[pbjmama]

I moved my ds to a high back booster at similar measurements when he was 5.8 yo. He is very responsible and understands safety is a priority in the car. I have had a few occasions to remind him to sit back in his seat when he was leaning far out to see something interesting.
 

[DahliaRW]

If he can sit properly in a booster, it is a perfectly safe option.