SIX Kids in Our Car!
After I had made my car seats info page, a lot of people asked
me where the new baby would sit (the car seats page had the 5 kids in our car). I wasn't sure
yet either and did a lot of research over the last few months and ended up with the following
configuration:
First Row
We will have to have one kid sit in front and I have heard diverse reasonings for who would
be safer there. We don't have an air bag, so that's not an issue. I finally decided to put Jane (3yo) in her forward facing toddler seat (Maxi Cosi Priori)
there, since she is the most protected and the farthest away from the front. The drawback
of putting one of the older ones (9yo or 7yo) in front is that they are in belt positioning boosters,
and I am afraid that they might move out a little. For example if Cees would be reading a book and
he dropped it, he would lean over to the floor to get it. Would not be very restrained that way and not very
safe in case of a crash!
I have two rear facing kids and have considered them for the front seat too. But although they would be
more protected in a sense than the forward facing one, they also would be closer to the front and the
dash board and possible front impact. So I decided against them too.
This left me with the choice between Tara (4yo) and Jane (3yo). Tara is in a 5 pt harnessed booster,
and I thought that would be less protective than the toddler seat, so that's how we ended up putting
Jane in front.
Second Row
This was easier. We have two rear facing seats, and it is hard to have a rear facing seat next to forward
facing if kids have to climb over, duck under it. So I installed both rear facing ones on this row. Put Kate (23mo)
closer to the door, so she wouldn't have to climb over Erik's (1mo) seat. Kate is in a Britax RoundAbout convertible seat, Erik
is in a Britax Handle With Care infant seat. I had to push the handle of the HWC down to make the picture, otherwise
you couldn't see Erik.
Third Row
Last row contains the three oldest ones. Cees (9yo) and Tim (7yo) in the outboard positions, using a Century Brevarra belt positining
booster. In the middle, Tara (4yo) using a 5 point Brevarra Ascend booster. It is hard to see them clearly, partly because of the second row
being in the way, partly because of them having blankets over them. But at least it gives you an idea of how they look in there.
And yes, we know that there is no room left for my husband :-) Luckily I do most of our driving during the week, when he works, and
I am just on my own with the kids. For the very occasional time we go out as a family during the weekend, we'll just have to use two
cars. And we do want to buy a new car, a full sized van, but because of financial and logistic reasons, this won't happen till spring or
summer I think.
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Page last updated: Thursday, February 15, 200.