Sick of the Monarch..what to buy now?

[carolinamom]

My 4 year old is about 34 pounds - really skinny and tall - is in a Regent in my van (which she rides in most of the time) - and a Monarch in dad's car...What is a good alternative to the Monarch? I looked at the new Parkway and just don't love any of the covers - so boring? She tells me all the time she is too big for a carseat- and my other 2 kids - 7 and 11 were in boosters when they turned 2 years old - WAY before I met this board and all its helpful members...(reputation points please)) :D ......7 year old is in a Graco booster - and my 11 year old is about 5'3 now so she just rides in seat belt....bottom line - new seat in my future- what would you get?

[Judi]

I personally would not put a 4 year old in a booster. Yes, I did with my own son, but he is 16 now, and I have learned a lot since then. Any child I watch at 4 is in a 5 point harness.

[carolinamom]

well she doesn't fit in a Marathon - I guess I am looking for a harnessed seat- but do not want to pay a ton for it and the Regent is way too big for his little car....

[Judi]

Is she over the top harness slot on the Marathon? If so, that is one very tall skinny kiddo! I would look at the Nautilus, pull the extra pad out and see where she is, in that.

[carolinamom]

Is the Nautilus big and bulky?

[Judi]

Smaller than the Regent, about the size of the Frontier.

[ctbcleveland]

A Nautlius would be less bulky than a regent.

Another option is the Safeguard Go Hybrid booster. It looks very much like a high-back booster. There is a review on the carseat blog about it - might give you some insight on the dimensions of the seat.

I will own one eventually when DS is forward facing for travel purposes.

[tanyaandallie]

I'd go to Walmart/Target and try out the Nautilus.

How tall is she?

[carolinamom]

I'm not sure how tall she is right now - let's see at least 42 inches - the problem with the Marathon was having to dig for the buckle - it kinda smashed her

[Gypsy]

I'd get a Radian. She is not too big for the Marathon, and the Radian will work great in 3 across - everyone will have more room.

[scatterbunny]

(reputation points please)

Reputation points are generally given when someone posts something helpful for others. ;) If I were you, I'd start visiting the Car Seats or Installations forums, and offering your advice when you can. No one is an expert on everything, so don't feel like you have nothing to offer. Just offer your advice or opinions on things you do know, things having to do with seats and/or vehicles you have experience with. :thumbsup: That's really the best way to get reputation points. If you (general you) only post in the chatty threads, or only post to ask questions, chances are you won't get rep very often.

[ctbcleveland]

BTW Carolinamom - your signature picture is beautiful!

[carolinamom]

Thanks for all the tips on reputation points- just didn't really know how to get them...thank you for the pix comment - I take their pictures every time we do the beach - they hate it - I make them do it!

[Mommyto2]

My dd is 5 1/2 44 inches, 36ish pounds (she has been up and down a lot lately. Her torso is about 15 inches. She fits great in both the Radian and the Nautilus. I would give both seats a try.