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Kid in back seat- in middle or side seat?

My 4 year old is in a booster/car seat with 5 point harness and since I have just him I have his seat in the middle of the back seat instead of a side seat like right behind the passenger or driver. I like him there because I can see him and mostly because I thought it might be safer in the middle seat...
But is it really safer? My car is a Scion XB and has side curtain air bags- should I move him to a side seat or keep him in the middle?

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Anonymous

Asked by Anonymous at 2:57 PM on Jan. 4, 2012 in General Parenting

Answers (5)
  • I always thought it to be safer in the middle as well. As babies I always put them in the middle. We have a car and 3 kids so how I do it now is my 6.5 year old is behind my seat then my almost 4 year old is behind dh's seat and then my 5 month old is in the middle. I have the older one on my side because I have to put the baby in and my older one knows how to buckle up so she buckles herself and then the 4 year old on the other side so dh can help me in putting on of them in the carseat lol
    mommy5409

    Answer by mommy5409 at 3:14 PM on Jan. 4, 2012

    Credits: 22043 Level 25 1 star1 star General Parenting Minor
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  • I've always put mine in the center since it is the furthest seat from the outsides of the car and being your car has side air bags, I think I would continue to keep it in the center. I know airbags are meant to save lives, but from past research I've done, they are made for full grown adults and the impact from the airbag could seriously injure a child...one reason why children aren't supposed to ride in the front seat of a car.
    sdks2011

    Answer by sdks2011 at 3:15 PM on Jan. 4, 2012

    Credits: 9157 Level 20 1 star General Parenting 101
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  • I've recently decided that the middle is better.
    meooma

    Answer by meooma at 5:09 PM on Jan. 4, 2012

    Credits: 375223 Level 50 1 star1 star1 star1 star General Parenting Degree
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  • if he is the only one in the backseat then the middle is best but if there are other siblings then the side is fine
    Christmaslver68

    Answer by Christmaslver68 at 5:31 PM on Jan. 4, 2012

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  • I wish I could but our booster in the middle, but it just doesn't sit there safely in my opinion. So my DD is behind the passenger seat in both cars, b/c again it doesn't sit well in my SO's car. We have the exact same booster in both cars.
    coala

    Answer by coala at 7:25 PM on Jan. 4, 2012

    Credits: 36793 Level 28 1 star1 star1 star General Parenting Major
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