It seems that every other day brings new recommendations on how parents should use strollers, cribs, and other essential items. Some parents even feel overwhelmed by the adjustments.
However, one of the most complex safety tasks involves child car seats. As children grow a bit older, they start refusing to use booster seats to match their friends.
Most parents give in, but social media blogger Jen McLellan didn’t give up—and this choice saved her son’s life.
Usually, Jen uses social media to promote a positive attitude towards her body, especially among pregnant women.
She manages a blog, a podcast, and thousands of followers to share inspiring messages and give a voice to moms who want to do the same.
Recently, Jen posted something different: a warning. Her husband called her and told her they had a serious car accident with their son. Jen rushed to the scene, keeping her composure until she could find her 9-year-old son.
Eventually, she found out he was being evaluated by doctors, surprised at how well the boy had come out of it.
They said it was largely thanks to his car seat, which protected him from physical injuries, except for a few significant bruises.
“I can’t count how many times I argued with my 9-year-old son when he didn’t want to sit in the booster because his friends didn’t,” Jen said. “I am forever grateful that I didn’t give in.”
Trying to make sense of everything that happened and taking care of her son and husband (who is recovering from more severe injuries), she decided to share this frightening experience with her followers.
“I have one request for everyone reading this—keep your kids in boosters for as long as possible,” she wrote. “Let this be a positive outcome of it all. More awareness of the importance of boosters for older kids—even if they find them uncool!”
Jen’s son is a living example that, no matter how boring safety recommendations may be, they are necessary. Thanks to the booster seat, this little one has more emotional than physical trauma.
