Help me arrange my seats!

[Avery'sMama]

OK, I have six seats. They are

FF-- Regent, Apex w/EPP, Graco Platinum Cargo
Conv.- Boulevard, Marathon, Triumph Advance

Two children

DD weighing 33lbs, 38 inches and 3 1/2 years old and
DS weighing 20lbs, 29 inches and 8 months old

Going in to three cars

1)My van, a 04 Freestar with side air bags, LATCH in the captains chairs and third row center and adjustable head restraints in all positions. This is the car the kids are in at least once a day.
2)My mom's 01 or so Chevy Cavalier no lower anchors, top tethers in all rear positions, high seat back in outboard positions. Kids in this car twice a week or so.
3)My IL's 04 Buick LaSabre with LATCH in all three rear positions and high seat back in outboard positions. DD in this car once a week, DS once or twice a month (much more in summer, MIL is a teacher)

I'm trying to get the best placement of seats to kids and cars. Technically, the Triumph and the Cargo were purchased by the IL's and the Apex and the Marathon by my mom but everyone shares. This is like a fun version of an SAT question for me :)

[safeinthecar]

This is like a fun version of an SAT question for me :)

That's hilarious! Especially since I feel the same way.

Personally, I ask each of the involved parties if they prefer or have an easier time using any particular seat ( best car seat rule #3 "and that is easy enough for you to use properly every ride") , then go from there.

Kimberly

[niccig]

Here is my attempt....

1)My van, a 04 Freestar
Regent for FF daughter
MA for RF DS as you have side airbags.

2)My mom's 01 or so Chevy Cavalier no lower anchors, top tethers in all rear positions, high seat back in outboard positions. Kids in this car twice a week or so.

Apex for FF DS - as long as seat backs high enough
BV for RF DS

3)My IL's 04 Buick LaSabre with LATCH in all three rear positions and high seat back in outboard positions. DD in this car once a week, DS once or twice a month (much more in summer, MIL is a teacher)

Cargo for FF DD
Triumph Advance for RF DS - or, if your DD fits in it still, have them put it in FF.

[Avery'sMama]

Here is my attempt....

1)My van, a 04 Freestar
Regent for FF daughter
MA for RF DS as you have side airbags.

2)My mom's 01 or so Chevy Cavalier no lower anchors, top tethers in all rear positions, high seat back in outboard positions. Kids in this car twice a week or so.

Apex for FF DS - as long as seat backs high enough
BV for RF DS

3)My IL's 04 Buick LaSabre with LATCH in all three rear positions and high seat back in outboard positions. DD in this car once a week, DS once or twice a month (much more in summer, MIL is a teacher)

Cargo for FF DD
Triumph Advance for RF DS - or, if your DD fits in it still, have them put it in FF.

This is exactly what I was thinking. I have two debates...

1) Is the BV better for DS in my mom's car for twice a week or in our car for every day? Of course, you can't tell when you will get into a crash and it WOULD be best in my mom's car as he will have to be outboard and I have the SAB. And the shell of the Marathon will offer some SIP anyway.

2) Is DD better off in the Cargo or the Triumph Advance for IL's car? Obviously, if DS is in the car, she has to be in the TA. And she can stay harnessed in the TA a little longer if she has a sudden gain in weight. She is in the center when she is the only one in their car. She actually can RF in the TA, and does sometimes but she has LOOONG legs and complains a lot about being cramped when RFing now.