Need advice on Britax carseat/booster for son

[mommyofboys2]

I am needing some input from moms who have gone before me on the whether to purchase a Britax Huskey or Parkway for my 3 yr. old son. He is 31 lbs. and 36 inches tall. I know that the Huskey takes up for space in the car but like the 5 point harness option. And then there is the Parkway - a "big boy" seat. I have a niece who has a Britax Star Riser and is only a tad bigger than my son and my sister in law feels that she isn't supported very well in the booster compared to the Roundabout so that makes me want to lean more towards getting a Huskey. However I don't want to then turn around and buy a booster when he is 4 or older and doesn't want to sit in the "baby seat" but is still way under the weight limit of the Huskey. Do I have a delema or am I just reading too much into it? Thank you!

[schums]

My 3 year old is 40+ pounds and 40"+ and is in a Husky. And he'll stay in the Husky until I feel he's mature enough for a booster seat full time (at least another year, maybe longer). I like the safety that the 5 point harness gives. I doubt my son will be in the Husky until he is 80 pounds, but at least I have the option of deciding when he goes to the booster. And then the Husky will get passed along to his younger sister.

HTH,
Sarah
Alex 3/2002
Catherine 8/2003

[mommyofboys2]

Sarah..
Thanks for the imput. My son is in a Roundabout at the moment and is under the weight limit but is just so big for the seat as far as his legs, arms and head hanging over the sides (or atleast it seems that way). My other son is 4 months and in his Roundabout rear facing. I love my Britax seats & want to make the right decision on safety, afforabitily and longevity in going from a carseat to a booster. Again thank you.. I appreciate your advice.
Blessings,
Bethany
Mommy of 2 fantastic boys
Broghan 5/02 & Avan 2/05

[alkagift]

Just my completely uninformed opinion, I would think that he wouldn't get aggravated about the chair not being "big boy" enough for a while yet. Have you tried getting him to sit in both of them at a store, or better yet, in your car? That might help you make a decision.

I always say go with your mommy instict!

Allison
Mommy to Matthew Clayton, who is TWO!

[murphydog77]

Hi. A 3 year old is way too young to be sitting in a booster seat--the maturity just isn't there. I had to move my 50 lb. 4.5 yr old ds into one in our 2nd vehicle last summer and it took a few months of training to get him to sit properly in it. He is still in a Super Elite (predecessor to the Husky) in our van.

Your ds is smaller than my 3 yr old dd (she's 32 lbs./38") and she fits great in a Britax Marathon. Have you considered that option? Has he even outgrown his Roundabout? (Tops of ears above top of seat or shoulders above top harness slots). The Husky is also a good option if you plan to harness him for several more years, which I highly encourage you to do since I believe it's much safer. Harnesses fit closer to the body than a seat belt does and kids are more restricted in movement in them--they just can't bend over and pick up a toy, for instance. That's what keeps them safe in a crash.

As for being in a "baby seat," that's where your attitude toward car seats comes into play. If you call it a "baby seat," so will he. None of my 5.5 yr old ds's friends and classmates are harnessed, but AFAIK, he's never been teased about it. He has mentioned probably twice that he wanted to ride in a booster in our van, but I told him it wasn't as safe as his harnessed seat and he hasn't said anything since. If your ds is starting to complain about being in a harness (or even if he isn't), I would be positive when buckling him in by saying things like, "wow, you're lucky to get to sit in such a safe, comfy seat."

HTH!

Heather, CPS Tech
http://www.CarSeatSite.com

[mommyofboys2]

Thank you for your imput. He doesn't complain now about sitting in his Roundabout but thanks for the reminder that his attitude starts with my attitude and yes I want him to be in the saftest seat possible. His shoulders are above the shoulder harness slots and ears are above the top of the seat barely and that is why we're looking into a new seat. I think with all this imput and going with my mommy instint that we'll be purchasing a Husky. I would like to find a store that actually has one to view. I know Babies R us carries Britax but I don't think they have the Husky - do you know of any store? Thanks again!
Blessings,
Bethany
Mommy of 2 fantastic boys:
Broghan-3 yrs.
Avan-4 months

[murphydog77]

BRU doesn't carry the Husky unfortunately. I think USA Baby does, if you have one of those. Usually baby boutiques do, like Bellini and other small individually owned stores do.

Heather, CPS Tech
http://www.CarSeatSite.com

[schums]

If you have a Right Start store near you, they carried them when we got ours (about 15 months ago).

HTH,
Sarah
Mom to Alex (3/2002) and Catherine (8/2003)

[mommyofboys2]

Thanks again. We don't have a Right Start store here (OK) but I will call around to some smaller baby stores to see if they carry the Husky.

Blessings,
Bethany
Mommy of 2 fantastic boys:
Broghan-3 yrs.
Avan-4 months

[Joolsplus2]

At 31 pounds, he's so light he doesn't really NEED a Husky, he would probably quite fine in a Graco Platinum Cargo or Evenflo Generations, which both have nice tall top harness slots (fit most kids to 5 and 40 pounds, really)...so if you can't find a Husky (I DO love our Husky! I'm about to have 2...one for my 8 yo and one for my 6 yo!)...They are just VERY large seats, and it would expire long before it is outgrown...also, it's not superb for sleep support, because it IS so large and roomy (really, perfect for kids about age 5-10...it's very comfortable for them).

Anyway, just another 2 cents ;)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx