Traveling long distance and new booster user?

fyrfightermomma · Mar 12, 2011

Forgive me since I'm new to the booster world. Evelyn has been in a booster full time about a month now and is doing great.

We are headed to KY in a month (to see Menfusse!!!!) and it's about a 9 hour drive from here

For a kiddo that's new to a booster, do you have them ride in their booster for that long of a drive? I can see her getting antsy and being able to move all around if she wanted too might be a bad thing.

Or would a kid who is used to a booster be annoyed by a harness? I have a seat she can ride in (she can use the Frontier and Sophia can use our old Radian) so it's not a huge deal

She never ever sleeps in the car but also has never ever been on longer than a 2 hour drive lol

What do you guys usually do?

She is 5 years 8 months

christineka · Mar 12, 2011

I'd put her in the harness. It would not be good if you are 4 hours from home and E just won't sit right in the booster because she's tired. Since the seat is a combo, you might even use it as a booster and bring along the harness for just in case. There are so many unknowns that I'd want to be prepared.

Angela · Mar 12, 2011

I agree to take the harness with you, just in case. As for a kiddo who's used to being in a booster being uncomfortable in a harness, I think it depends on the kid. DS rode in a booster from the time he was 3 until he was 4.5 (before I knew better). He had no problems switching to a harnessed seat and actually prefers them over his booster now. I can see some kids being annoyed by them though, if they like that freedom of movement.

MommyBoha · Mar 12, 2011

Im facing this as well. We travel to FL several times a year and its an 8 hour drive, and we do it overnight. Next month will be the first time we've traveled since DS has been full time boostered and Im worried.

icnee · Mar 12, 2011

I would also put her in the harness or at least bring the harness with you. my 9 soon to be 10 yo I know does not stay sitting right the whole time on a 2.5 hour ride, so I put him in a harness and the last itme he did fine if anything he was just annoyed that he had to be stuck in one spot ( he was 8 I think the last time) and he had been in a booster since 3 before I knew better.

daniele_ut · Mar 12, 2011

DS started riding in a booster full time in September, at 5 years 11 months old. When we drove to CA in October (11 hours over 2 days) I chose to put him back in his Nautilus for the trip. I was afraid he'd be too fidgety in the Parkway. He's been riding in the booster long enough now that I think I'd be ok with the booster now for a long drive, though.

Citrine · Mar 13, 2011

My daughter was riding full time in a booster from June to Aug 14th 2010. When we made our move in the middle of August 2010 from SC to CT, she rode in her Regent and was fine with that. The straps did not bother her. We got rid of the regant in the fall. We have since been on many 3-4hour road trips with her in the booster, and she has been fine.

CTPDMom · Mar 13, 2011

B moves from harness to booster and back with no problems. For a long trip I would choose the harness.

Mom-of-Two · Mar 13, 2011

Another vote for harness! No question.

On a side note, how does it work traveling overnight, do the kids sleep as they normally would? We are doing a 12hr trip in June and hubby wants to leave in the night and drive several hours while they sleep, then stop for breakfast/rest, etc and do a few more hours of awake time. I am SO nervous with a 3yo and 6yo to attempt this.

They do both rest/sleep well in their MA and Regent (although it's been a long time since the 6.5yo has allowed herself to fall asleep!)

But yes, harness her! You'll feel better and so will she.

Melanie · Mar 14, 2011

I vote harness. My almost 6yo is an excellent booster rider as well (she's my rule follower). But when she sleeps she squiggles slightly out of position. I think it's much easier to sleep in a harness. DD doesn't complain about being harnessed.

Kac · Mar 14, 2011

Another vote for harness.

Have fun visiting Menfusse.

Traveling long distance and new booster user?

fyrfightermomma

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christineka

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Angela

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MommyBoha

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icnee

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daniele_ut

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Citrine

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CTPDMom

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Mom-of-Two

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Melanie

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Kac

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