Just saw a guy in a work truck driving around the neighborhood with his toddler sitting on his lap.

The kid waved, I returned the wave. The dad laughed.

This is bad in so many ways.
Car seat
Facing rear until they are ht & wt.
Front faced car seat until they are ht & wt.
Booster seat until they are 4 foot 9.
Every time
No exceptions.

Sure.
It may seem ok one time.
Next time the kid won't want to get in the car seat.
What then?

Car seats are less expensive than a kids funeral.