Field Trip Report - I'll give it a "B"

So today was the first field trip of the year and I was a driver for DD2's second-grade class (going to a local dance studio's Nutcracker production at the high school theater in the next town - about 5 miles away) . I loaded my Highlander with two Parkways in the 3rd row and two FPSV boosters (backless) in the 2nd row. DD2 and her best friend climb into the 3rd row and 2 boys from their class balk about the boosters ("I'm 60 lbs!" says one. I tell them that seat belts in different cars will fit differently and that they can try buckling up without the boosters but if the lap belt is over their tummy or shoulder belt up on the neck, they'll be using the boosters.) The belt fit was marginal so I decided to let them ride without the boosters.

The kids were all a bit jumpy - not horribly so, and they stayed in the belts (except for one time when DD's friend started messing with her shoulder belt and DD2 put on her 'safety patrol' hat and told her immediately "that's not safe! put the belt back on!":thumbsup:)

On the trip back, the boys wanted to be in the 3rd row, so I told them they could, but they'd have to use the boosters:D. They agreed, and I put the FPSV's back in the second row for DD2 and her friend, so I had a fully-boostered car load for the return trip:thumbsup:

DD1, meanwhile, was going in another classmate's car (they're in different classes). I let her bring her Air Booster backless (she chose it over the FPSV backless). After we get back to school I tell DD1 I'm going to bring her booster back home so she won't have to carry it to the car when I pick her up. She tells me she forgot to bring it to her classmate's car:( BUT fortunately her classmate's mom had an extra booster:). And I know that both the classmates she rode with still use boosters so she wouldn't have been self-conscious about having a booster:)

But the real highlight of the trip? There was no parking at the theater (it was all in use by the high school b/c school is in session), so we drop the kids off with their teachers and park at the movie theater lot a few blocks away, and they brought us back to the theater in ....

school buses....

with SafeGuard school bus seats:thumbsup: (For the uber-geeky who want to know, it was the FlexSeat. I was probably the only mom on the bus who actually *used* the seat belt - and I'd estimate I had at least another 3" of torso height before I would have reached the shoulder belt slot - so I had to share with people who would understand my excitement;)
 
ADS

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
My goodness, a school bus with seatbelts. You could have survived anything in that. LOL

Not bad at all. Though discouraging that second graders were telling you they don't need boosters. The law here in WA is 8 or 4'9", and Piper's in a 1-5 grade class, so I hear that a lot from the kids who are over eight in her class. Luckily I tend to bring a spare. Or two. :) And they have a Right Fit at the school (backless, no expiration).

Wendy
 
Ooooh, I've never seen the FlexSeats in person but they look AWESOME!

Yeah, I though the seats were really cool - since there aren't any cool car seats for grown ups (well, I can sorta fit some HBB's but they're a little, ahem, snug), this is probably the closest I can get to testing out a cool seat myself.

Another funny thing - I told DD's about the bus and how cool it was that all the seats had 3 sets of lap/shoulder belts with the adjustable shoulder thingies, and now DD2 (my geek-in-training) has started saying "I can't wait 'til I get to ride a bus with seat belts!":D
 

mommy-medic

New member
I LOVE those seatbelts!!! (but in the first video at 9 seconds the girls on the left has it all up in her abdomen, and again later in the video. Didn't watch the second one yet. Just irks me when they make a "safety" video and show improper use. I do realize this isn't a video on the seatbelt "best practices" but still.....)
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,655
Messages
2,196,895
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

Please  Support Car-Seat.Org  with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC

Top