The bolded is so extremely important. The lap belt can cause so much damage when not placed low on the hips and thighs. I wish I could make every person that ever transports a child understand that. Crash forces, even in low impact crashes, are GREAT. Little bodies aren't made to withstand the trauma. The 5 step test (6 steps if you add feet on the floor) is really the ONLY way to know if the child needs a booster or not. Laws, weight, age, and height can't judge how the belt system fits. As a side note, please use lap and shoulder belts. Lap belts are only good for installing car seats, not people. Bless his heart. I can't imagine such a job. Just the stuff I come across in my work as a CPS tech is more than I can handle sometimes.

Once they pass the 5 step test the lap/shoulder belt system is fine. All the booster is doing is helping to properly place the lap/shoulder belts. Some 11 y/os don't pass the 5 step test. My oldest was just shy of 11 when he didn't need a booster in my Civic. He, however, still needed a booster in dh's car. He used a backless booster so others didn't even really know he used one- except close friends that had to use one too. I found teaching my ds about proper fit helped him understand the need for a booster. He didn't mind nearly as much when he knew the reasons. I also think the adults attitudes play a huge part. When you have parents standing firm on the decision, not complaining, not wavering, it's easier for kids to know that's just how it is. hth.

Tis true. Gotta protect that head, neck and spine. It truly depends on the seat. Nearly all kids outgrow infant seats by age one (except some of the new bigger ones). They should then move to a convertible seat RF. The difference in height can be pretty great, and weight limits can vary from 30-45 lbs depending on the seat. Some are also simply more comfy RF than others. The same with FF harnessed seats. There's ones with 15" top slots and 40 lb weight limits, and there's ones with 18-19" slots and 80-85 lb limits. I mentioned in another thread, but as a reminder to all, booster seats are not child restraints. All they do is boost a child up so an adult seat belt system fits them better. They are no better protected than older children and adults that ride in seat belts alone. A 5 pt harness is safer, esp for kids under 6. Kids should then ride in a booster until they pass the 5 step test (see carseat.org) which generally is 10-12 years old and usually at least 4'9". Moving out of a booster too soon increases the risk of head, spine and internal injuries (often times even in minor crashes). FTR, I don't know many people IRL that keep kids RF pass 2, harnessed past 5, or in boosters until they pass the 5 step test. That doesn't mean they shouldn't, cuz they should. But my job as a CPS tech is to inform/educate people about CPS so they can make better decisions. And it's working. We have more techs educating, more people keeping kids properly buckled, and the number of deaths and severe injuries IS going down. I did a lot wrong with my now 18 y/o. But when I knew better I could do better. That's what education is all about. Now you (generic you) know, so you can do better and educate others too. :D hth.

We pulled our oldest out of public school at the end of 6th grade. He graduated from home in June. Our youngest has always been hs'd (only in 2nd) and we plan to hs until he graduates. I am open to dual enrollment in upper high school, but otherwise he'll be home.

There's never been a documented case of leg or hip injury from being rear facing. There has, however, been LOTS of documented cases of the protection RF gives the head, neck, and spine in a crash. Besides bent legs don't break, and even if they did I'd rather deal with a leg injury than a brain or spinal injury. It is highly recommended that kids stay RF to the limits of their convertible seat, or at the very least age 2. Up to age 2 RF is at least 5 times/500% safer than FF. Studies haven't been done to know about older kids, but it's safe to say the head, neck and spine protection is worth keeping them RF as long as possible. hth.

My ds was in a harness in all vehicles at age 5. Now, at over 7, he's in a 5 pt in my car (the one he rides in 95% of the time, a SK Radian XT) and a high back booster in dh's and older ds's cars.

Top tethers do not have a weight limit, jsyk. Lower anchors do in most vehicles (40-48 lbs) for all seats except SK Radian SLs in newer vehicles (post-2005, 80 lbs). Seat belt adjusters should never be used. They are not regulated and independent crash testing shows they reduce the effectiveness of the seat belt system causing far more harm than good. And with a properly fitted booster, which I'd think a Clek would be, there should be no reason to even, kind of, need one. I'd toss it in the trash. Boosters should always be belted in when not in use, unless the seat allows lower anchors to be used and even then some say to still belt it in. The unoccupied seat would be a projectile in a crash, not a seat being properly used. Only a certified tether anchor should be used. Not sure if that's what you mean?? Most older vehicles have pre-drilled holes or weld nuts which can be used to install tether anchors. However, D-rings, like are used for RF Radians and Britax seats) should never be used with a FF seat, and only specific places on a vehicle can have an anchor installed. HTH clear up any mis-information. I don't mean to offend, I've been doing this (CPS tech) for over a decade now. There's a lot of mis-information out there. I do want to say kuddos to all you parents keeping your kids harnessed and in boosters!! We see the results of your efforts. Lives ARE being saved. :D

I expected him to grow in maturity and wisdom. He expected the same of me.

We use Bible Study Guide for All Ages- just the worksheets along with our Bible. Since we also have Bible with HOD we only do one side of the worksheet per day. Easy to use, but teaches a lot and is inexpensive. To learn events of the Bible (I don't use the word story as it seems like it could be fictional and it isn't), I agree a good kid's Bible works well.

Seat belt fit is really all that matters. Age and weight have nothing to do with fit. Overall height has little to do with fit. Seated height in combination with the vehicle seat and seat belt placement are what will determine whether or not the seat belt fits. Lap belts that ride up on the abdomen cause internal and spinal injuries. Shoulders belts that cross the neck or face cause children to put the shoulder belt behind their back or under their arm. That causes head, neck, spine and internal injuries. I've met one 8 y/o in my 10+ years of CPS work that passed the 5 step test. He's now 14 and 6'4" tall. It should be remembered that a booster is not a car seat. It does nothing to retrain a child. All a booster does is literally boost the child up so the adult lap/shoulder belt combo can properly fit the large bony structure of the body (hips and shoulder). Most vehicle manufactures gage seat belts to fit 5'8'-5'10" men. We can't expect them to fit children (or even smaller adults) properly. I am a fan of high back boosters with good side impact protection because they offer additional safety- especially when riding in an outboard position. However, a backless booster (like the Harmony mentioned in another post) works well to place the seat belts when a high back isn't desired or won't fit in a seating position. They run around $13 at Walmart.

Yes, but at least adults have fully developed hips and pelvis bones. Not that it's ideal for an adult to an ill fitting seat belt, just worse for kids.

2nd grader is using MUS. Oldest ds used Teaching Textbooks for high school.

I haven't read through the thread, so my apologies if this is a repeat. A harnessed seat is safer top tethered. It reduces head excursion (how much the head travels forward) in a crash. I always recommend a seat be tethered IF an anchor is available. In your case, if the choice is a booster or an untethered harnessed seat, I'd go for the untethered harnessed seat, esp for your 4 y/o. All 4 y/os are safest in a harness. If your 7 y/o is near outgrowing the harness on the seat you're using (by height or weight), then I'd consider a booster with good side impact protection. I'll sub so feel free to ask if I can be of more help. ETA: Reading you have Regents. Depending on the weight of your kids the 7 y/o likely needs the top tether. So here's what I would do... Option 1: Regent and 7 y/o center 3rd row, Regent and 4 y/o and baby 2nd row. Option 2: Sunshine Kids Radian for the 4 y/o 3rd row outboard, SK Radian or booster for the 7 y/o 3rd row outboard, baby 2nd row. This option would cost a little, but way cheaper than a new van. You could always try option 1 and if the kids or you hate it move to option 2. Remember the SK Radian can be used to the full weight (65 or 80lbs) and height (53" or ears above seat back). You might even be able to get a Radian next to the Regent 3rd row as they have a very narrow footprint. Few newer vehicles can have top anchors added, but if you post the year, make, model of your van I can look up the info for you.

A booster with good side impact protection should work well for an 8 y/o. Here's a link to measurements. Just remember it's often times how seats puzzle together more than overall size. I prefer one with a deep seat to give thigh support. http://sites.google.com/site/carseatmeasurements/ Here's the link to the 5 step test. Kids should stay in boosters until the 5 step test is passed. As kids near being tall enough for a seat belt alone remember they may pass in one vehicle but not another. Most kids will be 10-12 years old and at least 4'9" before they're ready for the seat belt alone. http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm ETA: Another option would be the Britax Frontier 85. It has a tall harness and makes a good booster later on. It's $$ tho and may be too wide. It, however, is the only harnessed seat I'd recommend for an 8 y/o. hth.

We have two, both indoor. A 14 y/o black female that is the sweetest most perfect cat ever. She belongs to our oldest ds, we've had her over 13 years. And, a 1 y/o white female that belongs to our youngest. Let's just say it's a good thing ds adores her or she wouldn't be living here. :glare:

I haven't used BF, but could you go half speed? Read half the reading per day, or spread the 5 days over 8-10 days.

I provide in home child care. It pays has much as I was making outside the home by the time you add in expenses for working outside the home. I care for two full timers, and another occasionally.

Yes, we do. We open in prayer, then do The Pledge of Allegiance, Pledge to the Christian Flag and Pledge to the Bible. As far as I know our local schools still do The Pledge. They did 7 years ago when I worked there anyway.

Since He gives us the 100% I don't mind giving back the 10. I've also found I can do more with the 90. Not that I don't have other things to do with that 10%, but it isn't mine to spend. We give the tithe to our church almost always. For one thing, it really needs it. We did a major re-build a few year ago and the giving is lean, so I know the $ are truly needed for bills. We have, however, on occasion given outside the church when there was a genuine need and we didn't have the extra to give. ETA: Re: OT law, if they could give under the law, I should certainly be able to give under grace.

:crying:

Our 7 y/o has never used a fluoride toothpaste or had treatments. He does drink lots of tap water, and ours is fluoridated. I've found teaching him to brush well (we use Eco-Dent tooth powder), floss, and rinse after eating has worked well. He did have one tiny cavity in the groove of his first molar at age 5, but considering he nursed through the night for two years I'm not too concerned. On the other hand, our oldest used fluoride t/p, fluoride rinse (per dentist's instructions), had fluoride treatments, and sealants, and he's had tons of cavities.

Huge Handwriting Without Tears fan here.

I like how Steve does this too. I also teach him how to do the inverse for any problem in his head (8-6=? is the same as 6+?=8). With practice he's gotten very good at that, so he may have to pause and think but he can easily get it by switching it. Another thing that helped early on was making up stories- 8 people came to the pizza party, only 6 ate pizza, how many did not eat pizza? You can use any counter for those- pennies, buttons, etc. You make up a story for one problem,, then have him make up a story.

IMHO- yes. I adore Michelle's commentary. We used TQ for middle and high school and my son and I loved it. We did use it with a couple spines and an assortment of books, but even just the commentary opened up great discussions.

Same here. :D