Guest Blog: Car Seat Expiration?

Yet another post from my friend Corey. {This is the last one, this time around.} Don't be afraid to leave him a comment, I'm afraid he's beginning to feel bad about his lack of feedback. So be a sport and share your two cents with him.

We have totally started thinking about the very question he asks about as the carseats H and E are currently in both expire in the next year or two. Will E be big enough to be in a booster at that point? Or will we have to fork over the money for a new one? I guess only time will say.

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To me, Simplicity in the Suburbs, is an easy life, bliss, happiness, and feeling like things are a good deal.

I have been thinking about at what point is a car seat necessary and at what point isn't it. At 32 should I be in one? No, but what about a 10 year old? When did it become the norm to see 6 year olds in car seats? Oh, and when does it EXPIRE? Excuse me, do they EXPIRE? I didn't know we were talking about food! It is some plastic and belts, but it has an expiration date? What? How come my seat in my car doesn't have an expiration date? Is this some made up racket thing by GRACO, CHICCO, EVEN FLO and others?

So we are having our third child and I was fortunately/unfortunately (which side of the fence), informed by my wife we need to go buy a new baby carrier. Instantly my mind was off to the races , thinking this is a joke. How do people without much means have kids and follow all of these guidelines? We are fortunate that we don't have to worry about the costly expense of another carseat but what if it was an issue?

So is it a law on the expiration date or a guideline? Some days I feel like Corporate America is trying to put big fears and guilt on the every day average joe. Are these marketing schemes or is there real data on this expiration date?

I was at our friends cabin recently, their was 8 adults and 8 kids ranging from 4 months to age 8. As we were cruising I was doing some thinking (I know, scary), why don't they have to wear restraints on a boat? Are many of the laws, rules, regulations today from the hard work/or lack there of from lobbyists on both sides of the fence? One day no car seats for kids, then shortly there after they need them till they can drive on their own. One day no expiration date, the next day you are considered a jerk that doesn't care when you don't get a new car seat!

Look for me carrying around my third child in a new car seat, I just don't what kind yet, and how much it will set me back...