Protecting my Seat Backs from Shoes OR How to Remove and Put Back On Shoes for TWO 18 Month Olds

I have a Ford Escape and the owner's manual says I must remove the rear seat headrests when installing a car seat. Fine. I removed the two outboard headrests. But I have no way of now securely installing a kick mat, towel or something else to protect my seat back. I still have a center headrest but it doesn't hold my kickmats securely. I would be fine with just having my kids remove their shoes in the car but I have yet to figure out a good way to accomplish that with TWO 18 month olds when I am alone with them (which is most of the time). I don't like them running into traffic. And I really want to continue RF.

I think it means when you install it ff. I don't see how a rfing seat would interfere with the headrest

I have a mat that has hooks for tethers. It covers the whole back.

Judi said:

I have a mat that has hooks for tethers. It covers the whole back.

Click to expand...

Link me oh wise one. My kids feet are filthy after school.

I got it at Goodwill. Thinking I should take measurements and make them. Lol

I bet I could make one. Velcro straps that go through the tether anchors... Or clips. Hmmmm.

Ds pretty much only wears easy to take off/on shoes, like crocs, flip flops, and soft shoes.

Usually we only have to take them off on the way home from somewhere, if his shoes are dirty we wash them at home so shoes on when we leave the house (clean) and take them off on the way home (dirty), and he doesn't need them when we arrive home anyway.

cat mommy said:

I have a Ford Escape and the owner's manual says I must remove the rear seat headrests when installing a car seat. Fine. I removed the two outboard headrests.

Click to expand...

That isn't relevant for RF.

Swedish Akta-Graco protector in Ford Escape:





http://carseat.sailingdaddy.fastest.cc/Britax seats in Ford Escape/


Here is another:

http://shop.textalk.se/en/article.php?id=10208&art=2329549



/Marcus

for removing shoes... I recommend slip-on or velcro shoes... the easier to get on and off, the better.

Set them both in an empty vehicle seat and encourage them to help you remove their shoes... then get them in their seats.

When you get to your destination, repeat or put them in the stroller before putting their shoes on them.

But unless they're going to be walking around outside or weather is too cold, I'd be inclined to never have the shoes on in the first place... just keep them in plastic zipper bags in the diaper bag or basket of the stroller for when needed.

gsdguenter said:

I think it means when you install it ff. I don't see how a rfing seat would interfere with the headrest

Click to expand...

I don't know either....but I'm not willing to go against the manual without more info as to why it is required.

for removing shoes... I recommend slip-on or velcro shoes... the easier to get on and off, the better.

Click to expand...

Yep, we've got the great velcro ones and the actual getting on and off is not the problem. The problem is that DS likes to run into the street while I'm doing DD's shoes and vice cersa.

Set them both in an empty vehicle seat and encourage them to help you remove their shoes... then get them in their seats.

Click to expand...

This is a good idea--I could use the front passenger seat. And then put DS in his seat and then come back for DD and take her around to the other side. The only problem is that I currently keep my diaper bag there, but I could move that to the trunk.

When you get to your destination, repeat or put them in the stroller before putting their shoes on them.

Click to expand...

When we use the stroller, it's easy peasy, but that doesn't happen too much nowadays since they love to walk everywhere.

But unless they're going to be walking around outside or weather is too cold, I'd be inclined to never have the shoes on in the first place... just keep them in plastic zipper bags in the diaper bag or basket of the stroller for when needed.

Click to expand...

We had been using "indoor only" shoes through the winter (and these were no problem in the car seats) and putting boots on when needed to play outside. But now that the weather is nice, we go to the park a lot. We don't use the stroller at the park since they are strong walkers and love to run run run. They also want to walk when we go other places, and I want to encourage that.


So now I'm looking for someting that can attach with hooks! That is a great idea.

cat mommy said:

I would be fine with just having my kids remove their shoes in the car but I have yet to figure out a good way to accomplish that with TWO 18 month olds when I am alone with them (which is most of the time). I don't like them running into traffic. And I really want to continue RF.

Click to expand...

I am by no means twin certified (I think you people are amazing!) but I knock the shoes off my (significantly bigger) kid as he climbs in to the car. He turns his tummy to the car to climb up, puts up one knee and I swipe the shoe off as the sole of the shoe is facing me. He basically doesn't notice. Then I dump it behind his seat. It's a pretty easy, one-handed motion: I could imagine doing it with a (happy) toddler on the hip. Not so easy if you have to put them in themselves, obviously...