outgrowing the sit and stroll what next

[tribecamom]

dd is 3.5 and 39 inches, 39.5 pounds....the sit and stroll goes to 40 pounds

what would you do next in a cab? Is there a portable booster I could use when we can't get there on the subway or the bus? When we are in our car she is in a real car seat but that isn't practical for a cab...

[Joolsplus2]

The RideSafer Travel Vest is my favorite lightweight travel option.. You do have to use a lap and shoulderbelt (unless you get a lapbelt and a top tether...I wouldn't bank on that, though...). The Strolee McKinley is a VERY light, small booster seat that's good from 33 pounds, too. Here's a great pictorial review of the RideSafer... http://uccomama-ivil.tripod.com/id11.html
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[tribecamom]

thanks so much
the RiderSafer text you posted said for under 6 I need a tether--I just can't imagine a cab waiting for that (remeber, 99% of NYC kids use nothing)....would using lap/shoulderbelt be dangerous under 6?

[Joolsplus2]

Yeah, the manual is weird...itsays it requires a top tether for kid under whatever size, but then says, well, if you don't HAVE a top tether, just use a lap/shoulder belt... This page is a little better http://www.safetrafficsystem.com/newsite/find.php (I suspect there may be an issue because the inventor of the product speaks English as a second language and may not have hired the best manual writers? I DO trust the product, of course :) )
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[tribecamom]

thank you SOOOOOO much--we are really a little trapped because the sit and stroll is big and ackward and dd is still afraid of the subways (who can blame her) and we live all the way downtown in Manhattan!!
since my nanny and my husband will use this as well as me, would you recomend the vest or the backless booster for installation simplicity?
also, we have the Cosco vest but I assume this one is better (never used it because after it arrived I read a lot of bad stuff)

[Joolsplus2]

The Cosco vest isn't too bad, but if she's almost 40 pounds, you might as well ebay it.
Well....a booster is easier, but certainly not easier to haul around (though that mckinley is small and cheap...you might want it 'just because', lol)...but I don't think the RideSafer is *hard* to use...probably easier than the tote n go...it's just kind of fiddly the way you have to put the belt in the little metal belt guides. There's supposed to be a new-improved version coming out, but I have no idea when, and it might be a smidge easier to use (???).
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[tribecamom]

wondering aobut the tote n go for my younger DS (he is nearly 2)...I had read somewhere that the tote n go was so hard to install properly it was dangerous so I have never tried it--I guess the real question is in your opinion is it worth trying as an alternative to the sit and stroll or is it so hard to install and so fiddly that the NY cab driver factor (which involves someone invitably saying "come on lady what are you doing I take 10 kids a day without a car seat in my cab" [not my kid but that is a lecture not worth giving KWIM] is insurmountable? the sit n stroll is a PITA (heavy, lousy stroller) but I can do it fast with the seat belt usually if my kid cooperates with the buckling in to the seat part

[Joolsplus2]

Yeah, the TNG does move forward, even when installed well... but it has surprisingly good crash test results... I think if you get some practice in on it, and make sure it fits him to the level of clothing he'll be wearing, it's really not *that* bad. I used one for my 39lb 5 yo this summer and she thought it made her feel much safer than the seatbelt, lol. It's not *easy*, but it's not *the worst*.... if that makes any sense.
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[tribecamom]

I appreciate your time :)

[Joolsplus2]

I appreciate you caring enough to buckle your kids up :)

(and, hey, it's not *light* but it does look promising, the Profile at www.skjp.com is coming out soon...keep an eye out for reviews!)

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[tribecamom]

car; it is a reasonable carry on option if it works well