Health & Safety

The following information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

It’s no fun when your child is sick or hurt, but having a well-stocked medicine cabinet can make it easier to manage, whether you're dealing with scrapes, bug bites, allergies or the kind of nighttime fevers and coughs that keeps everyone in your house awake.

As a Circle of Moms member named Tammy wonders though, it's not necessarily clear which items are truly essential. To help, I gathered road-tested advice from our communities. Here, veteran moms from our communities share seven medicine cabinet essentials parents should always have on hand. (And as poison control centers advise, remember to keep all medicines out of your children's reach.)

1. Thermometer

Thermometers are essential for determining the severity of an ailment. There are many types of thermometers — mouth, rectal, armpit, forehead, ear, or temporal artery. Amber O. prefers the temporal artery thermometer, available from stores like Walmart and Target, because it is easy to get an accurate reading and not invasive: “I have always had accurate readings from it, and I love using it,” she says. “They definitely do not wake up sleeping babies, which is great, and it's not uncomfortable.”

2. Children's Pain Reliever

It's important to never give children adult medicine. Check your children's medicine often to be sure that it hasn't expired or been recalled. Always ask the advice of your pediatrician before dispensing any medications. "Most pediatricians will say no cold medicine until age 6!" cautions a mom named Marcie. However, children’s Tylenol or Motrin are frequently prescribed for relieving minor pains and for lowering fevers, even for kids below 6. Some doctors even suggest alternating between the two. "Rotating Tylenol and Motrin is a good idea, especially if you can't keep [a] fever down. The Motrin will help with body aches as well," advises Shannon N.

3. Band-Aids and Antiseptic

Band-Aids and an antiseptic like hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol are essential for cleaning and protecting minor cuts and scrapes. Emilie B. recommends cloth over plastic adhesives because they are easier on sensitive skin.

If your children are very young, Chelle A. suggests keeping a pair of scissors handy as well. As she explains, "We cut my son's nails when he first got home and we nicked his pinky. We had to take a normal Band-Aid and cut the smallest sliver off it and put it on his hand. It worked great for us!"

4. Nasal Aspirator and Saline Drops

For the common cold, Circle of Moms members Minnie J. and Stephanie B. recommend a nasal aspirator and saline drops. The drops, "for helping clean out the nasal passages," are one of three essentials that Stephanie's pediatrician recommends for managing a child's symptoms (the others are a vaporizer at night and Tylenol, "for comfort)."

5. Benadryl and Anti-Itch Cream

It’s difficult to know what a young child may be sensitive to, but Benadryl will help to quickly calm any allergic reactions. Sarah A., for example, says her doctor once prescribed ½ a teaspoon of Benadryl for her son when he broke out in a bad rash. An anti-itch cream like hydro-cortisone or some other antihistamine-releaser also can help calm itches from bug bites, Cheryl P. says.

6. Your Family's Go-To Remedies

If you have your own remedy and it’s doctor-approved, then by all means it makes sense to keep it with the rest of your first aid and safety items so that it's easy to find when you need it. For example, Leigh R. likes to use Vick’s Baby Rub along with a cool mist vaporizer when her son has a runny nose and cough. "Vick's Baby Rub works wonders," she says. "The baby rub does not have the menthol or camphor in it, both of with are very unsafe for children."

Meanwhile, Michelle K. turns to a spoonful of honey to soothe sore throats and coughs. And for teething pain, Janet G. stocks her medicine cabinet with teething tablets.

7. Emergency Numbers

While a contact list of emergency numbers does not need to be in the medicine cabinet, you should have emergency contacts posted in an obvious place — such as by your land line and programmed into your cell phone. That way children who can work a phone have the numbers handy if an adult is unavailable. Laura F. posts her emergency contacts – the closest hospital, family doctor, poison control, and local police and fire departments — on the fridge. 

And if you’re up for it, Tammy P. suggests parents contact their local hospital, fire or police departments to find out about first aid and CPR classes. "As a pre-hospital care provider, I believe every new parent and grandparent should take a first aid and CPR class," she says "Even if you have had CPR before, there are lots of exciting new updates. It is a skill I hope no parent ever [has] to use, but if they do, they will be glad for the class."

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

Image Source: Erin Neeley via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

I'd made it through months of morning sickness, quirky food cravings, and days filled with constant treks to the potty. But in the last trimester of my pregnancy with my first child, it dawned on me that my biggest pregnancy challenge was still ahead: labor.

Like many women who are pregnant for the first time, I wanted to know what to expect during labor and whether an epidural was advisable for me. A relative of mine shared an audiotape of herself screaming during her labor, which set me on edge. Was that what pushing would feel like? How long might my labor last? Would it necessarily be horrible for me, too?

Here, Circle of Moms members share answers and advice on what to expect during labor.

Every Delivery is Different

Both Andrea D. and Hannah B. advise that moms should count on their labors being unpredictable. “Every delivery is different, all babies are different, and so is the mom giving birth," as Andrea puts it. Her first birth was straightforward and she labored for 13 hours; her second, which capped off a complicated pregnancy, had her "balling my eyes out and curled up in a little ball.” Similarly, Hannah "planned on all the meds" but her labor moved too quickly for them to be administered. "It can all drastically change in minutes," she counsels.

Another Circle of Moms member (screen name: “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong") reiterates that the level of pain a woman experiences with labor varies widely: "For some women it is not bad, and [for] others it is unbearable. Every woman is different.”

"Bring on the Epidural!"

Temeka P. recounts begging her medical team for the pain relief of an epidural as she entered her 21st hour of labor. “The pain does go away instantly,” she reports. And Jennifer M. says that after she got an epidural she was "the happiest person in the world.” Kayla H., who got through one delivery without pain medication and the other with, says she felt “absolutely nothing" when she labored with an epidural. He final word on medication-free childbirth? "Never again."

"It Was Easy"

On the other hand, some moms have an easy time of it. Danielle K. was in the hospital at 9 a.m. and her baby was born at 2 p.m., a mere two hours after her water broke. “It was a great experience and I can only hope the next one will go as good as this one,” she says. Shelly Z. was also pleasantly surprised by her experience: “My birth lasted only three hours and was very calm. The pain was [no] worse than the pain of migraine headaches I’ve had since my late teens.” 

What Contractions and Pushing Feel Like

Many Circle of Moms members describe labor pain as a much more intense version of menstrual cramps. “I would best describe the contractions [as] the worst menstrual cramps you have ever had, ten times over,” says Sarah H. For Holly M., the contractions “felt like a Mack truck.” For Merindah D. though, the pressure from pushing, which "felt like taking a huge poo," was far worse than the pain from contractions.

Sarah adds one bright note here: that birthing classes and some words of wisdom from her own mother really helped her deal with the pain:

“I remember my mom telling me that they call labor labor for a reason. I would have to agree with that. It is hard work! It is not easy and it does hurt, but you can get through it.”

A Life-Changing Experience

Despite the pain, many Circle of Moms members describe their childbirth experiences as “amazing” and the best day of their lives. Jennifer M. shares that "even" her husband shed a few tears of joy when their child was born. For this reason, Bree H., who has had two natural childbirths, hopes first-time moms will approach childbirth without fear. She believes that if moms prepare themselves for natural births they can be pain free. “When you are relaxed in a natural labor your body releases chemicals into your brain that gives you natural painkillers,” she says. “I felt totally drugged during my natural birth."

Though she says she did experience pain and “passed a lot of gas,” Denikka G. urges pregnant moms to focus on the fact “that it is a different kind of pain ... pain with purpose with a huge reward." As she explains, "I've broken my arm, had rope burn, burnt my fingers, and sprained my ankles, and childbirth is a totally different kind of pain altogether. It wasn't as bad, because if I stuck with it just a little longer, I would have this huge reward, instead of the ‘pointless’ pain of a general injury."

Mack truck-level pain or no, many Circle of Moms members agree that their deliveries exceeded all their expectations. In my case, I was relieved to discover that though birth was pretty painful, it was not near as torturous as my relative’s Screaming Banshee- like wailing made me envision.  In fact, I remember thinking that centuries of moms have gone through this and so I could push through.  And I did so three times, resulting in three beautiful babies.

What did labor and delivery feel like for you?

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

The following information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

Trying to conceive a baby can be scary, exciting, stressful and fun! I remember long nights lying awake wondering if this was the night that I finally got pregnant. Of course, those nights were also full of feelings of fear and worry, followed by excitement again.  

I worried that having a baby would change my life too much and that I wouldn't be a good parent. I worried about the safety of various baby products. But one thing I didn't think about was what kind of lubricant I was using.

The fact of the matter was that I should have been worrying about lubricants. Conventional lubricants often contain ingredients such as propylene glycol or methylparaben or chemicals derived from petroleum. These ingredients can cause side effects ranging from skin irritation to cancer. Not only are these toxins potentially harmful, they can interfere with your ability to conceive.

Most people know that spermicidal lubricants kill sperm, but even non-spermicidal lubricants can contain ingredients that are toxic to sperm, and even natural lubricants can interfere with sperm's ability to reach the cervical mucus.  

Even worse, conventional lubricants can contain ingredients that can be harmful to your unborn child, causing problems ranging from developmental to reproductive toxicity. The effects of toxins are especially dangerous during the first few weeks of pregnancy, when you are most likely to still be trying.

Lubricant Alternatives

So if you are trying to conceive, the best idea is probably to avoid lubricants altogether. If this isn't an option (and for many women it isn't), choose lubricants made from all natural ingredients — a list of options can be found on OnePartSunshine.com.

You can even make your own lubricants using ingredients such as canola, coconut, or almond oil. Try this recipe for "love balm" from Crunchy Betty.

To be truly sure that the lubricants you are using aren't interfering with the sperm's journey to the egg, choose a product that was designed to be sperm-friendly. Yes Baby makes a fertility-friendly lubricant, and there's some evidence that canola oil is sperm-friendly.

Most importantly, have fun. And try not to worry too much!

The preceding information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

Image Source: iStockPhoto

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Lately I've been trying to find someone local who will teach a self defense class to my 11-year-old daughter and her friends. I wish I could bubble wrap her to protect her from the world, but I don't want to make her afraid. I want her to be strong, to be smart, to survive, and to learn the skills that will help her survive — if she's ever in a situation like the one I found myself in many years ago.

When I was in grade nine, my science teacher offered a free self defense class after school. To me it was a fun way to spend time with my friends, that's all that I really thought of it. The teacher was a black belt in karate and he taught us how to walk when we were alone and how we could use as our keys as weapons. He spent hours teaching us how to escape from holds an attacker might put us in. He drummed into us: "Hit and escape, don't try to fight." He taught us how to maximize the power of our hits. It was great exercise, and great fun. Little did I know how grateful I would be.

It was my last year of high school. I was working at my local convenience store. We worked shifts in pairs for safety; especially the closing shift. That night I was working with two guys. One of them liked me, but in a creepy way. I did not like the way he looked at me, and that night I knew that something very bad was going to happen, just that little voice in the back of my head. I asked the other guy I was working with if we could switch shifts. If he worked until closing, I would trade him any other shift he would like, but he had a big party to go to, and I was on my own. I could feel the cold sweat, the fear, as midnight drew closer. I made sure to keep my distance from my coworker. All night he kept looking at me like a lion looks at a gazelle.

Midnight came, and my coworker locked the front door. I made the mistake of going into the small office to start the security camera, and was about to set the alarm when I felt him in behind me. He was over six feet tall, and easily two hundred pounds. I felt his presence before he touched me. I don't remember what he said, I just remember him reaching forward to touch me where he had no permission to touch. In that moment I stopped being afraid and my mind became calm. My brain stopped fearing and my body took over. I smashed the back of my head into his face. He let out a cry, screaming "You broke my nose!" I did not wait, he was still blocking me. I pulled back my elbow, cupped my fist, and drove my elbow into his ribs, just like my teacher had drilled into me, sending him collapsed onto the floor. When he was on the floor I simply walked over to him, unlocked the door and calmly left.

When I got to my car my body became racked with the shakes. To this day I do not know what would have happened if I hadn't protected myself. It was a defining moment in my life. At the time I was five foot five, one hundred and fifteen pounds. I should not have been able to fight off a six foot, two hundred-pound man, and yet I had. I felt stronger. That moment forever changed who I was. I would not be a victim, it was empowering.

It hurts me to think that anyone would ever try to hurt one of my children, but the reality is that one out of four women in will experience some sort of unwanted sexual encounter. I would like to bubble wrap my kids; to protect them from the world. But I don't want to raise children who are afraid. By protecting them from the world, I am in actuality hurting them.

Image Source: Tristan Lindsay

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Five years ago, if anyone told me that their family plan included having two children less than two years apart, I assumed they were delusional. Yet that’s the situation I unexpectedly found myself in: despite taking the pill religiously, I got pregnant with my second child when my first was nine-months-old.

The nurse who ran my mommy and me class had advised me that the best time to have a second child is after your first born turns two years old. (Doctors, too, generally recommend waiting to have another baby at least 18 to 23 months after the birth of the previous child, and making sure that health concerns are absent.) But I've found that you can’t rely solely on a health practitioner’s advice to determine the best time to have another baby. When it comes to all things child-related — including pregnancy — nature doesn't always bow to conventional wisdom.

As I learned shortly after, and as Circle of Moms members reminded me, my children benefit from having a sibling, no matter how big or small the age difference is. So go ahead and determine your family’s goals when trying to pinpoint the best time to have another baby. But as Circle of Moms members reveal, the best laid plans often remain just that: plans.

The Benefits of Closely Spaced Siblings

Moms who recommend having siblings close together feel that it provides great benefits: closely-spaced siblings have built-in playmates and can share the same toys. The closeness also can help to reduce conflict, says Anna B., who had three kids within 33 months. Her older child registered no jealousy when she brought a new baby home, and she "has no memory of being an only child."

Leslie W. also appreciates that she didn't have to “prepare” her daughter for the new baby. “To her, the new baby was just the way of life; me nursing the baby, no big deal to her. If I had an older toddler, I would have had to explain everything to her ... There was also no jealousy, since she didn't know any different.” 

Leslie's son and daughter, born 15 months apart, are becoming close friends: “My daughter loves her baby brother. She helps me a lot, and changing two babies in diapers is no big deal. I've been telling all my friends that if they wish to have another baby, a 15 to 18 month gap is the best because your kids will be close and care for each other, play together, etc."

Heather C., explains the developmental reasons for the easy tranisitons these moms report: “Once your eldest child is two years old, they have a greater sense of self and are likely to be more affected by jealousy and sibling rivalry than a younger child who hasn't quite figured things out yet ... it's less likely they'll enjoy things together and be so close, as their interests and ages would be so different.”

The Benefits of Widely Spaced Siblings

On the other hand, moms whose children are more widely spaced say it gives parents the chance to catch their breath in between, and the opportunity to focus on each child's development as an individual. As Heather C. notes, “With a bigger gap, you get more quality time with the new baby (especially if the eldest is at school)."

The older child can even be a built-in babysitter, adds Jessica C. Her son "adores" his big sister, who is nine years older.

Chelsy S. simply appreciates that she won’t have two children in diapers at the same time, because her three and a half-year-old daughter will be potty trained by the time the second baby arrives.

The Benefits of Not Worrying About It

I have to agree with Circle of Moms members Dana D. and Kim B., who feel that there’s really no perfect gap for the spacing of children. "There are advantages to having siblings closely spaced together as well as farther apart," points out Dana, and Kim feels that “kids will benefit in different ways no matter what the age gap, so it's is really about when you and your husband are ready for another — or are surprised with one."

Kim's last point is a great one to end on. As my own story shows, no matter what you plan, life can throw you pregnancy and fertility curveballs. Kristin E.'s first child was just slightly older than three when her second finally came along. “We weren't planning on having that big of a gap, but it took me a bit longer to get pregnant than I was hoping,” she shares. Sharon R. concurs: “Sometimes we cannot choose the age difference, as you never know [how easy or difficult it will be to get pregnant."

Only you can judge when you think the time is right for you to have another child. And even when you think you and your partner are in sync about when you want another baby, your body may not cooperate. Which is why I believe, as community member Amanda D. does, that whether close together or spaced apart, “children are a blessing, and blessings always work out for the best.”

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

It really can happen to the most careful of parents: you turn your head in the store for 15 seconds and look down to find your child is nowhere to be seen. Then the panic starts.

After having this kind of experience with his 4-year-old son, Norwegian businessman Sten Kirkback has created a company, EvadoFilip, and a watch-like device for kids that will help parents quickly find little ones who've bolted. Called the VivoPlay, the product uses GPS, WiFi, or cellphone technology GSM to tell you your child's location via your smartphone. Or if your child is looking for you, he can press a red button on the device and it'll call the five phone numbers pre-loaded on the device. 

Kirkback hopes the VivoPlay may also become a deterrent to child abductors.

Read the full story at The Daily Beast >>

Would you buy the VivoPlay?

Image Source: via EvadoFilip.com

Need a boost of energy in the morning? With just five easy-to-follow poses, this quick four-minute video from FitSugar TV can help quickly energize you for another busy day with the kids.

When you only have a few minutes a day for yourself, this routine is the perfect way to set yourself up for a healthy 2013!

This video originally appeared on FitSugar>> 

Image Source: FitSugar

Heads up, moms! Four major national retailers are recalling more than 150,000 Nap Nanny baby recliners.

As the Huffington Post reports, at least five infant deaths have been linked to the product. Additionally, dozens of parents have reported that their children have nearly fallen out of the recliners, even when placed in the product's harness.

The retailers recalling the product are: Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Diapers.com and Toys R Us/Babies R Us.

Get the full story at the Huffington Post>>

If you have the Nap Nanny, get information on returns from the CPSC>> 

Image Source: Via CPSC.gov

Puberty can be a nerve-wracking time for parents and their children. Not only are there physical and emotional changes, but moms and dads also must decide when it's the right time to start taking daughters to the gynecologist.

Two Circle of Moms members, both named Shannon, are seeking input from more experienced mothers. "My 13-year-old has had her monthly since she was nine, and every mood swing came along with it. Now we have hit a point where most of her friends have had sex, and when I get online and just sit and read some of the problems a lot of moms are facing, it leaves me with the same question every time: 'Do I need to take her to see my gynecologist?'" asks one of them.

The other Shannon shares that her teenaged sister-in-law came to her for advice, asking to be taken to a gynecologist because she has been having irregular periods and cramps. "Her mother thinks she is too young to go to the OB/GYN and won’t let her go. Is this wrong?" Shannon asks.

We've outlined the four times when Circle of Moms generally agree you should take your teen/tween to the gynecologist

1. To Address Certain Types of Symptoms or Problems

A gynecologist specializes in the health of the female reproductive system. Generally, most Circle of Moms members believe girls don’t need to go to this specialist at an early age if she is healthy and not sexually active.

However, if your daughter is having problems like recurring yeast infections, discharge, cysts or bad cramps, then taking her to an expert is warranted, says a mom who goes by the initials JL R. "If my kid had recurring ear, nose or throat issues, I would insist on an ear, nose and throat doctor. If they had heart problems, I would want a cardiologist. So if she is having vajayjay problems, then we are off to the gyno," she shares.

Cassie C. agrees: "A gynecologist has had specialized training in dealing with female issues and would be better suited to helping the child [than a pediatrician]."

For example, Ortiz E. took her 13-year-old to an OB/GYN because she had very heavy periods with clots that lasted for nine days, plus headaches and pain. “The doctor ran some tests and temporarily put her on birth control to regulate the blood flow, she says.

Wendy B. also took her daughter to the OB/GYN as a teenager, to find out why she hadn’t yet had her period at age 16. "[We found] out that her cervix was completely closed off so she couldn’t get a period." She also had a cyst on her ovary and needed surgery.

Cassie C. adds a moderating note, that even if your child starts having her period at age nine, unless there are problems you don't need to take her to a specialist. "I had my first appointment with a gynecologist at age 19, a few months before my wedding. I had not had sex before that and it was not necessary for me."

2. As Soon as She's Sexually Active

Once your daughter is sexually active — or when you suspect she will be soon— it's a good idea to go to the gynecologist to talk about diseases and birth control, says Ann B. "While we all want our kids to wait, I also am smart enough to know it’s probably unrealistic," she says.

The gynecologist prescribed birth control to Ann’s daughter starting at age 17 because her premenstrual syndrome was causing her to miss several days of school every month, and also because Ann suspected she was sexually active after dating the same boy for five months.

"I believe taking your child to the gyno for regular visits should start when they become sexually active, whatever age that may be," agree moms Rosie P. and Sara B.

"If a girl is grown up enough to ask to go to the OB/GYN [or ask for  birth control], then they're old enough to go!" adds Samantha D.

3. To Benefit from a Doctor's Advice

Keep in mind, however, that moms might need to guess when their daughters become sexually active. If that’s the case, then it might be best to start going to the gynecologist early so that your daughter learns about preventive measures from another source, and has a doctor to trust and confide in when the time comes, says Carmen J.

"In this day and age, no matter how you have reared a child, you need to be realistic. There is always the possibility of teenage pregnancy," she says. "Being honest and open is what will help most now as our teens age, [but] you may not know when your child becomes sexually active, despite open communication."

Heather agrees: "Our teens need to hear the talk not just from home and school. If we get them used to being able to discuss things with doctors, etc., surely it must benefit them in the long run."

Going to the gynecologist doesn't mean your daughter needs a pelvic exam, says a member named Kimberly. She took her daughters to the OB/GYN when they turned 15 and made sure that the doctor knew that they weren't sexually active. The doctors respected her request to not perform vaginal exams, but advised them on how to deal with cramps. "[Your daughter] doesn’t have to have the exam if she isn't ready for it, and if [you see] a good doctor, they won't want her to until she becomes sexually active," says Kimberly.

Mindy agrees, saying she started taking her daughter to the gynecologist annually at age 13, although she still isn't sexually active. "That way she is comfortable with my doctor before she has to have a pap smear or anything like that. She is not sexually active yet, but I wanted her to be comfortable with a female doctor in case there are questions or comments she feels like she can't talk to me about. When the time comes that she is sexually active, she will be as safe and educated," she explains.

4. Before She Leaves Home

If your daughter isn't sexually active, nor is experiencing any problems, then Circle of Moms members say a visit to the gynecologist can wait until your child is about 18 (or ready to go to college or leave the nest). At that age, your daughter is an adult, and more than likely not seeing her pediatrician any more. At this stage, getting into the habit of going to the gynecologist annually for a checkup is a good idea — even if she’s not sexually active.

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Amy S.'s six-year-old daughter, who rides in the back of the family car in a booster seat, recently started asking if she can sit up in the front of the car with mom. Jessica B.'s son is also begging to ride in the front seat, especially when he sees his peers get out from the front seat of the car when he's dropped off at school. Diane B.'s 11-year-old pretends not to hear her requests to return to the back seat.

It's normal for kids to express an interest in riding in the front seat of the car in the years leading up to teen-hood. But with parents in online communities referring to the front seat of a car as the "suicide seat," a "death trap," or "child killer," as a Circle of Moms member named Charlie P. reports, it's no wonder the first response of many moms is a resolute "no."

So when does it become reasonably safe to allow your child to ride up front? Below, Circle of Moms members share four perspectives to consider when making the call for your child.

1. "Not Until the Teen Years"

General Circle of Moms wisdom says children should not ride in the front of the car until they are about 12 or 13 years old. As Kelly B. explains, "What people don't understand is the reasoning behind why kids shouldn't sit in the front seats. They just are not big enough [before 12 or 13]."

She goes on to break down why riding in the front seat isn't as safe as riding in the back seat. During a collision, a child in the front seat can be thrown into the dashboard or through the windshield:

"Even if he's properly buckled in, he's at much greater risk for being harmed by objects intruding into the car in the front than in the back. What's more, in cars with passenger air bags (which includes most newer models), the car's frontal air bags deploy with such force that they can cause severe head and neck injuries to a child," she shares.

Moms Jeannett S. Talisha B. agree that it's best to wait until the teen years to allow your child to move up front. That’s most likely the time when your child will reach the height and weight needed to minimize injury from an exploding air bag in a crash. "Just like a roller coaster ride at an amusement park requires you to be 'At Least This Tall to Ride the Ride,' so should a child be to sit in the front seat," says Jeannett. And Talisha adds, firmly, "Once a child outgrows a booster seat, he or she should continue riding in the back seat with a seat belt until around age 13."

Brandi C., a mom who works in medicine, confirms these rationales with an eyewitness account. As a medical worker, she reports, the hardest thing she ever saw was the aftermath of an accident involving a seven-year-old "who wanted to ride up front with daddy to the store" and who had indeed been riding in the front seat: "They were rear-ended, and because of the child's size, he slipped under the seatbelt and under the dash, [and] died instantly. Since then, I have always carried that with me, and have chosen that my son and step-kids will not sit in the front seat until they are teenagers."

Some passenger safety organizations, such as SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. take concerns like Brandi’s one step further and suggest children continue to ride in the back seat until they are ready to drive themselves.

2. When State Laws Say It's Okay

Some states have specific child restraint laws and laws that spell out the rules regarding children riding in the front seat, offers a member named Talisha. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has information about choosing the right seat for your child in the car.

The laws can be very specific about what age, height and weight a child must be to sit in a front seat. For example, in Colordao, where Brandi C. lives, children have to be five feet tall and 11 years of age before they can ride in the front seat, she reports. Because each state is different, moms need to familiarize themselves with their own state's requirements. A mom named Jennifer suggests asking a local police officer the appropriate age, height and weight for safe front seat riding.

3. When No Other Seats Are Available

State laws are typically accommodating, letting a child who normally would not be allowed to sit up front to sit next to the driver if there are not enough safe rear seats in the vehicle, such as in a pickup truck, Sherri C. says. She notes that she had to let her oldest start sitting up front at age nine, when she ran out of seating in the back of her car. "With four car seats [already] in the back, he didn't have a spot to fit in," she explains.

Lynn V. notes that she would have had to let one of her three children ride in front when she owned a Plymouth Breeze. However, because she felt it was unsafe, she instead bought a Ford Expedition that had more rear seating available.

4. When Air Bags Are Turned Off

If you do place your child in the front seat, Kelly B. suggests checking to see whether your car's air bag has an on-off switch, or taking your vehicle to the car dealership so that it can be disabled, and Brandy S. provides more details:

"Most two-seat cars and pickup trucks sold these days either have a switch that allows you to manually turn off the airbag, or they have 'smart' air bags that detect the weight of the body in the passenger seat and will automatically turn it off if the body does not weigh more than a certain amount. In certain scenarios, you may be able take your vehicle to the dealership and have them deactivate the air bag if your vehicle does not offer other air bag-off options for placing a child in the passenger seat."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a list of companies that install airbag on-off switches, Kelly adds, although she says parents need to get permission from that government organization before installing such a switch. And “if your passengers have all moved out of the car seat phase, your biggest or tallest passenger should ride in the front seat, and [you should] move his seat as far back from the dashboard as possible,” Kelly says.

Once the airbag is disabled, Charlie P. feels that the front seat is a “safe and practical place for a rear facing child” in a car seat, because, among other reasons, the front of the vehicle and dashboard are the strongest points in the car, and also because research shows that parents are less distracted when their child is in the front versus rear seat. “Safety conscious brands such as Volvo also state very clearly that front seat is just as safe as the rear seat for car seats,” this member notes. 

Safety First

Whatever your circumstances, the most important consideration, say many moms, is saftety: if you’re not comfortable with the idea of moving your child up front, don't cave in. A member named Kelly suggests buying some time by getting a high back booster seat and installing it in the center of the back seat so that your child can more easily see and talk to you, without having to sit next to you. As RenaFaye N. reminds, your most important consideration should be safety: "A child's safety is more important than what she thinks she wants."

Image Source: FabalaTD via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.