Should I go with a Parkway? (and other booster questions)

[mollyi]

I have been researching booster seats for the past few days....and I think I am more confused that when I started!! :( Here is my situation:

DS1 - 5.5 years, 41 lbs., 44 inches
DS2 - 3 years, 34 lbs., 38.5 inches

Right now DS1 is in a Marathon and DS2 in a Roundabout (same seats in both cars). I think DS2 will outgrow his seats first - I am guessing not for at least 6 months or so - and at that time I will move him into the Marathons. Then I will make the decision whether to buy a big harnessed seat (ie Regent) for DS1 who will be 6+, or go with a booster. But for normal usage we are OK for now.

However - I am starting to have situations where we are needing to do some carpooling - either have DS1 in someone else's car, or have one of his friends in mine. (Which is an 06 Odyssey). So I am wanting a booster to use in my van for other kids and for DS1 to use in other vehicles (mostly other minivans - possibly a smaller sedan as well).

Am I understanding correctly from my reading of past threads that the big plus of the Parkway is that it is super-easy to use? This is important if I am going to expect other parents (or my inlaws) to use it. Is the Monarch not as easy to use? Any other boosters that I should consider that are very easy to use? In my van I will use it in the 3rd row - what is the best seat position to put it in? My first instinct would be the middle - but the seatbelt there comes down from the ceiling - is that a pain with a booster? I have zero experience with boosters - never used one before now.

Thanks for any advice! :-)

[Joolsplus2]

Yeah, almost any booster novice can understand how to use a Parkway correctly...but if you give them a booster with 'armrests' they generally get the belt wrong (put the seat behind the armrests rather than under, usually, which would sort of gut a kid in a crash...)
But another great choice is the Compass B510...it has 'flip up' armrests that make buckling almost as foolproof..it's also a bit wider and comfier and has less confining headwings, so it's tolerated by average kids better than the Parkway's headwings. It might be too wide for 'three across' in a sedan, but otherwise it should be fine.

The center belt/position is fine to use with a booster, but the outboard is also quite safe in that car, so if it's really hard to buckle in the center, the window seat is fine.

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/Leah.aspx

[ColorBlue]

We have the compass b510 and I love it! It folds up too which is great if you are going to use it as a backup.

Tracy

[mollyi]

Thanks Julie and Tracy! I am thinking I will take DS1 to Babies R Us tomorrow and see if they have either of these seats to look at. I noticed that walmart.com has the Compass seat and will ship it to the store for free...that may be a good option, because then I could return it easily if needed. I think it is cool that it folds, especially since it will be an extra (ie not everyday) seat for us. I was looking online with DS1 earlier today, and he wants the giraffe print!!!