4 year old, big for age, high back booster?

6lilbits · Jun 1, 2014

My 4 year old is sitting in the 3rd row outboard of our Town & Country in a Nautilus 5 point harness. I am replacing this seat because it just takes up so much space (my son sits on the other side in a high back booster and would like to have a little more space to fit a person between them for carpooling purposes, etc.). She technically could go to a high back booster but can stay in a 5 point. My concern is that the seat will be untethered if i get a high back. But if I get another 5 point harness then it won't be used for very long because she will be too tall. Are there any seats out there that are 5 point harness and can convert to high back? AND that isn't super wide? Am I being greedy? I can't afford to get a new seat every year (we have 4 children, all in car seats of some sort).
Also, why can't minivans have tethers in the 3rd row on both the passenger and driver sides? It would make things so much easier!
Thank you!

MommyShannon · Jun 1, 2014

I wish all vans did! The Odyssey does but you definitely pay more for it! How much room does your 4 year old have left in the harness? Most 4 year olds aren't mature enough to sit properly in a booster all the time. My kids weren't ready for them full time until age 6. The Harmony Defender is available at Walmart for under $100. It is about the same height as the nautilus, 65lbs limit, and narrower. It does become a booster too. The Evenflo SureRide isn't a booster, but it has a slightly taller harness and puzzles with other seats and boosters better. It is also under $100 often.
ETA: I'm not sure if those will give you enough room for another child back there or not.

lgenne · Jun 1, 2014

You know that high back (belt positioning) boosters don't need to be tethered, right? What is your son riding in? Dedicated boosters don't even come with tethers.

6lilbits · Jun 1, 2014

Thank you! From all the reading I have been doing on this forum, I learned about needing to belt in highback boosters when not in use. Never even occurred to me that these would be a huge hazard. I know they don't normally tether, but I was just thinking of having 2 in highbacks and having to remember to belt the empty seats in when not in use. just doesn't seem feasible.

Brigala · Jun 1, 2014

What are your 4 year old's height and weight? And what other children ride in the car?

Perhaps we can come up with a solution for you that you haven't thought of. Perhaps one that will eliminate the need to buy a new seat at all right now.

6lilbits · Jun 1, 2014

That would be great! Here is what I have:

16 month old, 20 lbs, Graco MyRide 65 RF - captains' chair behind driver
8 y/o, Graco turbobooster backless, captains chair passenger side
6.5 y/o, 46 lbs, Nautilus as HBB, drivers side outboard
4.5 y/o, almost 50 pounds, Nautilus with 5 point harness, passenger side outboard.

Brigala · Jun 1, 2014

So both your 6 year old and your 4 year old are in the Graco Nauti. Those are pretty big - no wonder your 3rd row is cramped!

Have you thought about getting your 6 year old a trimmer booster to free up some space? What about moving the 8 year old to the 3rd row and putting the 4 year old's Nautilus in the 2nd row?

4 year old, big for age, high back booster?

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