best seating for 4 kids in a regular size car?

mommyto4kiddos · Mar 13, 2007

I have 4 kids. They are 9 she's like 90lbs, 7 he's like 70lbs, 4 she's 42.5 and almost 2 year old whos like 30lbs.

Right now we have a roundabout facing backwards, a marathon facing forward in the middle, and the other 2 kids sit with seat belts. I drive a 98 buick regal

We have a bunch of differnt carseats sitting not currently in use.

1 regent
2 graco turbo boosters
a few graco cargo boosters (straps go up to 40lbs)
1 britax parkway (the one with the wing thingies)
1 roundabout

I think that covers what i have around not being used. In their dads car a 2003 buick century the set up is a regent on the one side, a cargo booster in the middle so if everyones with him 2 are in seat belts in there to, but if the regent doesn't have one of the little kids in it, the 7 year old goes in it.

Also tethering infor for my 1998 regal would be great.

all together ooky · Mar 13, 2007

Golly! Tough one.
My first thought was that since you probably have front airbags you should start looking for a car with a third row. (Nobody under 12-and I've read 15) should be in the front seat.

I wonder what the CPS people will say....

UlrikeDG · Mar 13, 2007

The back seat is definitely the safest, but it's not always an option. There have been occasions when I've had to put one of my kids in the front. Rule of thumb, put the oldest, properly restrained child in the front. So, if your 9 year old can sit still the entire trip in her booster or regular seatbelt (see 5-Step Test), you would put her in the front seat. If your older two are too wiggly, likely to try to play with the radio, etc, then you are better off putting the child in the front facing 5-point harness in the front seat.

Other points to keep in mind:

Never, ever put a rear facing seat in a seating position with an active front airbag.
Move the seat as far back as it will go to put more space between the front facing child and the airbag or dashboard.
I don't have the exact numbers, but the majority of injuries to children in the front were related to them sitting out of position (slouching, leaning forward, etc).
Proper restraint is key! Every passenger needs either an appropriate child restraint/booster or, for adults & children who pass the 5-step test, a seatbelt that includes a shoulder belt. Lap-only belts are only good for installing safety seats.

mommyto4kiddos · Mar 13, 2007

Yeah it isn't the ideal situation. I had a van but one of the cylinders filled with oil so it isn't very good to drive it anymore. so I'm gonna have this car for awhile. I was a good buy, and has low miles. Not as safe as the van in my mind, but its the best i can do for now. Thats why i want to try to get the kids in the car the safest way possible.

best seating for 4 kids in a regular size car?

mommyto4kiddos

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UlrikeDG

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