New road rules, anyone else get caught out?

[JackzMumma]

Hi all,

You're gonna think I'm an idiot!! I read the new laws a few weeks back, so I thought I was prepared. But apparently I got it wrong, with the help of my DH I might add.

I had a harness and booster for my 2.5 year old. He didn't like the way the harness cut across his neck, so today I headed into to shop for a better booster. Only to find that I actually needed a a seat with a harness built into the actual seat not the car (of which my DH convinced me)!! Bugger!! I'm now up for $300 which I don't have, and had spent the driving around with DS2 illegally restrained.

If I had of known I would have bought a proper seat! But know I can't fit 3 seats across the back seat unless I buy 2 new seats which I definately can't afford. I have no idea what to do and on top of it all my car needs fixing! GRR!!! Anyone else in my situation?

Thanks for reading my whinge session!! ;)

[my_lot]

I dont put my 2.5y/o in either option you have. I use the 5 point seatbelt in the carseat and will for some time yet (other DS was well over 5 when we moved him to the booster)

I dont know what people are meant to do when they cant fit 3 seats in the back but on the other hand i like the new laws as it kind of stops parents from using their babys/toddlers seat for a new baby and putting the eldest child at risk in a seat thats not the safest option.

The infa kid vario is around $120 and can be used with the Harness you already have. The seat bolts into the car and the harness attaches to the seats tether strap.

[mim1]

No, the H-harness or similar type harness that bolt into the seat's anchor point are not allowed for children under 4. The harness must be built into the seat with the whole seat tethered to that point. That's the tricky part of these new laws - there are so few seats that meet those requirements and narrow seats in that category are non-existant.

On the good news front you can definitely get one for under $300. Go to a big baby shop and look at the range. I hope you can find a solution that works.

I'm in the process of looking for a new car and trying to choose one that will fit 2 convertible car seats (or boosters with built in harnesses) and a booster with a h-harness or similar. It's hard to look at a car and work out if all that will fit. As I only have 1 child now, but hope for 2 or 3 more in the next 5 years I have to be prepared. I am living in hope of a more narrow convertible booster though ...

[JackzMumma]

Thaks for replying!

my_lot- No I have nothing against the new laws at all, if it's going to protect my children that's fine. I'm just annoyed that I was caught out, through no one elses fault I might add. But now I don't have the money, which makes me GRR!! :)

mim1- Thanks! I did find one for $299, but that's where the dilemma comes in with them fitting across the seat. It may come to me having to buy another slimline seat for DS3. I wish I had gone with my instincts and not listened to my DH! lol ;)