Booster vs harness clarification

[CAjanet]

So - I was all ready to purchase the Britax Parkway until I decided to check out these boards - now I'm just a bit confused as to what type of seat to choose.

My 3.5yo is 41" x 41lbs - the new seat will be installed in my Lexus GX470, and the current seat (Britax Wizard) will move to my husband's car for occassional use.

I was really hoping to get him in the booster for many reasons - but mainly hoping this would be our last car seat since it will take him to 100 lbs (we plan on keeping him in a seat 'til he's at least 8yrs). Anyway - since my car has side airbags/curtain and he sits in the middle (there is a shoulder strap belt) would the booster be an "OK" way to go - or should I reconsider another harnessed seat? His Britax Advantage was in my DH's car - but DS has outgrown that one so the Wizard will move to his car since it has a small back seat (Cadillac CTS) - which BTW - would a booster seat be safe to use in DH's car, too?

Am I headed in the right direction or do you recommend a different solution?

Thanks soooo much!

JanetJ

[egoldber]

Why not put the Wizard in your car and the booster in DH's car for occasional use? That way he's harnessed (and safer) for most of his riding around.

HTH,

[Joolsplus2]

Just want to agree...generally keeping him harnessed more often is a better way to deal with it. However, given a much safer car versus a much less safe car would be a factor (I put my Husky in my Ford Aspire for my 7 yo, and the Bodyguard in the Minivan for him!).

Most important is whether he sits properly in the booster ALL the time. If a trial run is a failure, then go back to the WZ full time.

Having older kids and seeing just how long (if ever) it takes them to be mature enough to sit properly in a booster, I'm leaning more and more towards recommending Huskies or MA/WZ for kids as young as your ds is. (I've been through the wiggly preschooler stage, partly in a booster...it turns me into a yelling nervous wreck :P )

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

[CAjanet]

Thanks Julie & Beth for your suggestions - I'm really glad that I check out this board before I made my purchase. It never even occurred to me that DS would sit any differently in a booster than his harnessed seat - I was getting excited over the Parkway's cupholders & the extra seat space :o :o

I'll go ahead w/the Parkway purchase and just see how DS does in it - but will keep it in DH's car & keep the Wizard in my car a while longer :-)

Thanks again for your help!

Janet