So Torn.. help me out

mamakc · Mar 31, 2011

So Torn.. help me out *need an angle check please*

*EDIT* added pics of the set up in post #13...tell me what you think!

We're taking a quick trip this weekend. 6 hours each way. We are taking our Corolla. I would like my kids to face the same direction for the trip for the sake of the DVD player/our sanity. Normally I would be inclined to turn my 4 yo RF for such a trip, but this time I am actually considering turning my 2 yo FF for the trip instead. Why? Because it's a tiny car and a long drive. We'll be driving during daylight hours and we are very familiar w/ the drive (done it countless times). We just can't afford to drive the big car this time. Even if I leave DS RF and DD FF it would still leave ME cramped for the drive. So... am I crazy to FF the 2 year old for this trip? Or can you reassure me that it is a safe choice?

Genevieve · Mar 31, 2011

Well, safe is a relative term. Would your DS be "safe" in a tethered, FF seat? Sure. But, he would be much safER rear facing. *I* wouldn't do it, and I'm not going to encourage you to do it, but I wouldn't really think twice if you make that choice.

bobandjess99 · Mar 31, 2011

does the 4 yo fit in the CA, or only the radian? Cuz I'd be tempted to put the CA's in REALLY upright, which would give everyone the maximum amount of room and safety combined.

Beyond that..I'd leave the 2 yo RFing, absolutely. I'd find a way to purchase another dvd player, mp3 player, etc so each kid could have their own screen, as a long term goal, if the money werent there at the moment.

In the continuum of safety, a FF 2 yo in a properly installed seat is not unsafe. But it's also not nearly as safe as it could be. Which you know.
I guess your goals play into it. Like for me, I intend to RF until 5..so for me, a 2 yo isnt even halfway done with RFing...some parents have age 2 or 3 as their RFing goal, so in that case, if I were going to FF them in a couple months anyway? It probably wouldnt phase me to FF them.

HONEYhas3 · Mar 31, 2011

Depending on the year of the Corolla, you can brace the Radian and give yourself more leg room upfront. IMHO 2yo's should not FF if they have the seats to keep them RF.

Carrie_R · Mar 31, 2011

If you must have them both the same direction, RF them. I read "road trip" and all I can think of Anne's crash last weekend -- where the only one completely unharmed was her RFer. :twocents:

laudymama · Mar 31, 2011

At 2 a child is "ok" to FF and I would only do so in a securely tethered seat. However, they are safer RF. Even though you would be driving during the day and on a very familiar route, someone else on the road may not be under the same circumstances. You never know when an accident could happen and personally, I would especially not want to FF my 2 year old for a 6 hour drive. Heck, if it was possible I'd RF the 4yr old too for a long trip, but I am also one of those people who plan to RF my 5 yr old if he still fits. I just don't think its worth it in the event of something happening but we all have to make the choices that we feel are best for us. I wouldn't tell you not to or to go for it, only what I would do

mamakc · Mar 31, 2011

Carrie_R said:
If you must have them both the same direction, RF them. I read "road trip" and all I can think of Anne's crash last weekend -- where the only one completely unharmed was her RFer. :twocents:

I KNOW! I keep thinking that too.

I will be able to spend time tomorrow trying to figure out how to get them both rear-facing. DD is 42lbs so the radian is the only option. I plan on RF DS until he outgrows the CA, which should be around age 4. I'll try to get it figured out. Thanks for the support/encouragement!

mom2olivia · Apr 1, 2011

Genevieve said:
Well, safe is a relative term. Would your DS be "safe" in a tethered, FF seat? Sure. But, he would be much safER rear facing. *I* wouldn't do it, and I'm not going to encourage you to do it, but I wouldn't really think twice if you make that choice.

I agree

henrietta · Apr 1, 2011

I would save yourself the stress, run to WalMart or Target and either buy a second DVD player or one w/2 screens. And then just use the seats as everyone is used to.

Put the DVD player screen w/the controls on the back of the headrest in front of your ff'ing child, so you can easily access it, w/o leaving your seat.

We used to have ds1 ff'ing and ds2 rearfacing and set up our DVD player to work for both of them.

GL!

henrietta

melniemi · Apr 1, 2011

henrietta said:
I would save yourself the stress, run to WalMart or Target and either buy a second DVD player or one w/2 screens. And then just use the seats as everyone is used to.

Put the DVD player screen w/the controls on the back of the headrest in front of your ff'ing child, so you can easily access it, w/o leaving your seat.

We used to have ds1 ff'ing and ds2 rearfacing and set up our DVD player to work for both of them.

GL!

henrietta

We have a dual screen one too and one for the rfers, one for the ffers

Works great.

mamakc · Apr 1, 2011

henrietta said:
I would save yourself the stress, run to WalMart or Target and either buy a second DVD player or one w/2 screens. And then just use the seats as everyone is used to.

Put the DVD player screen w/the controls on the back of the headrest in front of your ff'ing child, so you can easily access it, w/o leaving your seat.

We used to have ds1 ff'ing and ds2 rearfacing and set up our DVD player to work for both of them.

GL!

henrietta

If I could afford to run out and buy another DVD player, I'd be able to afford to take the bigger car on the trip...

But aside from that, our DVD player does have two screens. The issue with that is, it's not wireless. There's a cord that connects the two screens. If they are facing different directions, the cord stretches from the rear headrest to the front headrest between them. My 2 year old then LOVES to pull on the cord and it causes problems the whole way. He tries to pull it out, could possibly damage the dvd player, etc... If he even touches the cord, my DD screams "HES TOUCHING THE COOOORDDDDD" I could get into more details about the trouble this causes, but y'all have kids, I'm sure you can imagine.

Carrie_R · Apr 1, 2011

Does the cord plug in at either end our is it permanently affixed? If one end plugs, could you purchase a (probably relatively inexpensive) extension cord for it?

mamakc · Apr 1, 2011

Whew that was a workout... I just wrestled w/ the car seats for about an hour and a half and I think I've got things set up now. Tell me what you think... Can someone with one of those fancy angle apps on your phone help me check the angles? Pleeeeease?

DS's seat: I'm afraid it may be too upright, but if I recline it more, DH won't have enough room to drive. As it is, his seat is already farther forward than he normally has it. (it looks like it's touching the headrest, but it is only just barely, could squeeze my hand between the two)

DD's seat, as upright as I could get it. Braced & tethered. I used a locking clip because it was tilting so bad.

The whole set up.

I hope this looks ok, cuz I'm exhausted & have a hundred other things to do for our trip tomorrow LOL

Genevieve · Apr 1, 2011

I think the radian is fine, but I can't decide about the CA. I'm not super familiar with the seat so I'll let another tech chime in about that one.

So Torn.. help me out

mamakc

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