Odd, random, funny combos of good and bad car seat usage lately

I saw, in the same day last week, both of the following.

1) A RF toddler (18mos? maybe even closer to 2?) in a Scenera, appeared to be buckled in correctly (looking through the window at a stoplight) sitting on the bench of a pick up truck next to a non-seatbelt wearing smoking adult female.

2) A FF MR65 installed in the center seat of a newer model mid-level Sedan

Also last week (but a different day), I witnessed a socked foot about the size of my 2 y/o's feet (approx. size 7, LOL!) kicking up on the back seat. Given the size of the foot, and the relatively crappy car seat usage around here, I expected that to be an unrestrained toddler/preschooler. Instead, I found an older child (18mos?) in a SS1! RF, obviously.

I saw a FF BLVD in a high-end SUV, set up for a small child (still had the infant padding and the headrest was low). Saw another FF BLVD for an older child, headrest about even with the top of the seat back. Both seats had the HUGS still on (wow!). Oh, and interestingly, this one was next to a craptastic 3-in-1 used in booster mode...go figure.

Anyway, just an interesting mix...

Oh! I forgot to add!! We were at Whole Foods on Sunday, and I ran into another mom of a large family. She was driving 7 kids around (plus random friends) in a Chevy 15-pass van, and actually talked vehicle safety with me when she saw our Sprinter. So, not all large families have crap car seat usage I was thrilled to run into her. I needed that that day...LOL...

Momof4Girls said:

I saw a FF BLVD in a high-end SUV, set up for a small child (still had the infant padding and the headrest was low). Saw another FF BLVD for an older child, headrest about even with the top of the seat back. Both seats had the HUGS still on (wow!). Oh, and interestingly, this one was next to a craptastic 3-in-1 used in booster mode...go figure.

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I see this all the time. Expensive Britax seats next to the cheapest booster Wal-mart carries almost always in a nicer, newer car. Only one child is worth the "best"

Momof4Girls said:

I saw a FF BLVD in a high-end SUV, set up for a small child (still had the infant padding and the headrest was low). Saw another FF BLVD for an older child, headrest about even with the top of the seat back. Both seats had the HUGS still on (wow!). Oh, and interestingly, this one was next to a craptastic 3-in-1 used in booster mode...go figure.

Anyway, just an interesting mix...

Oh! I forgot to add!! We were at Whole Foods on Sunday, and I ran into another mom of a large family. She was driving 7 kids around (plus random friends) in a Chevy 15-pass van, and actually talked vehicle safety with me when she saw our Sprinter. So, not all large families have crap car seat usage I was thrilled to run into her. I needed that that day...LOL...

Click to expand...

Well, I find that last bit a little insulting

My sil bought her decathlon because that is what I got (the tiffany), and of course it was ff for her probably under 20 pound 17 month old.

I have passed an older chevy blazer in my town, parked on the street, that has a regent in it, looking to be properly installed, and top tethered, with a high back booster in the other seat, pretty high up. And, in the driveway of the house is a car with a marathon in it, with the straps in the top slots! So you know there is an older child (well, 3 year old+ anyway) still harnessed!

I saw someone with two Britax Marathons installed with the seat belt going under the bars on the side of the seat, so the lockoffs weren't usable. And no tethers, even though the anchors were *right* there.

I also saw a car in a parking lot the other day with an overhead shield seat in the front seat.. cringe.