My son is 5 and weights 40 pounds. According to NC law, he can now switch from a carseat to a booster seat. I am looking at these booster seats and they just don't seem any safer than sitting in the actual seat. So I have decided to keep my son in a carseat for awhile longer. Any what point, will it look ridiculous to have him in a car seat?

I haven't quite figured out the benefits of this booster seat. According to the law my 6 yr old granddaughter has to still sit in one and like you, I don't see the safety in it.

my dd just stopped sitting in hers and she 10 but weighs near to nothing and they say they have to stay in safty seat til 80 lbs well she isnt that but says shes no baby anymore

Aidan is just over 40 pounds and he still rides in his convertible car seat. I am not sure if this is true, but I heard that the reason for the booster was to make them taller in the seat, so that the seat belt actually went over them in the appropriate places. This makes some sort of sense I guess, since the shoulder belt would be riding very high up on their neck otherwise. But I agree, those booster seats do not look very protective!

When we switched over it was because their heads had gotten so much higher than the backs of the car seats and their shoulders were getting bigger than the highest strap setting. It isn't safe that way, so we got the booster. The booster still helps give them the inch or two they need to allow the belt to hit right across their chest instead of hitting across the neck. This is the safest position of the seat belt.

I think the booster seat is designed to have the child sit up higher so the actual seatbelt in the car is at the appropriate place to be effective. If your son still fits in the car seat I would leave him in it, because a 5 point harness is a lot safer than just the seatbelt. My stepson always ended up putting the seatbelt under his arm... (still does sometimes) so there is a bit of training involved in him going to a booster seat as well...

It will never look stupid to keep your child as safe as possible. Gavin still rides rearfacing at 14 months and he will continue to until he is 30 pounds.

I am proud of you!

Thanks for the responses about the reason for the booster seat. Gracie thinks she's too big to sit in one and I was inclined to not make her sit in it until I see what you guys had to say about it.
I sure do learn alot on this site!