Question Newbie needing specific help

[kjvak]

Complete newbie here, looking for the "right" answer. I'm actually hoping there *is* a RIGHT answer.

Here goes. Background: did respite care for an 8yo girl and 9yo boy who we may be interested in keeping
(but we'll need the information when our younger children get bigger anyway).

Kids: I didn't weigh kids but let's assume they were 60 and 70 pounds, both under 4 foot 9 inches.

Vehicle: Newish 12 passenger van. 3 bench seats, back being lower than a traditional vehicle seat. No head rests.

Okay, so I tried the high back booster but they seemed too tall for the seat based on where the head was as well as where the belt fell across shoulder. However, they are NOT too tall based on the stated descriptions of the seats (each say til 4'9" and 80/100 pounds). Additionally, I was concerned about the high back not being hard enough over the bench seat back (does that really matter?). If we took the back off, both children's heads would be above the back of the seat but could wear the seat belt correctly. Sitting in the seat, children's head is supported by the bench back, but then we have the issue of them being too short and small (as most children those ages are) to be without a car seat.

So I guess I want to know what we should do if we take these kids for the weekend or for good or get other children bigger like these.

(Obviously, if I have a kid the right size, I'll pay better attention, get pics, etc so I can ask better questions too).

 

[wendytthomas]

What boosters? Some require head support, most don't.

Did you pull the headrests up? They're usually adjustable.

Wendy

 

[Keeanh]

What vehicle? Ford, GM/Chev, Dodge? I put headrests in my 06 Express if you're interested in that info for when they do outgrow available high-back boosters.

 

[kjvak]

Keeanh, I would love the information for how to put head rests in. That seems like it would be safer for everyone.

My van is a 2011 Ford Econoline E350.

We have several different boosters. I seem to be collecting carseats (even though I gave CPS some of the ones we decided not to use). All of the backs are "softer" than the convertible car seats though which is why I thought they needed something behind them. Maybe I need to research the seats I have and their manuals a bit.

I think I'll go take inventory

 

[kjvak]

Three of them are Evenflo big kid booster seats, 2007 to 2011.
I looked up the manual and didn't see mention of low back bench seats. Pics all included headrests.

 

[carseatcoach]

Evenflo boosters do not require vehicle support.

 

[monstah]

So you're OK with the Evenflo boosters as far as them not needing vehicle support until they are outgrown. Are you adjusting the headrest up so that the shoulder belt guide is above their shoulders?

Just checked the measurements database and it says that it adjusts up to 19/19.5" (torso height). It's certainly possible the kids are too tall for the Big Kids.

 

[kjvak]

Thank y'all.

If we end up getting them (or other kids that big), we'll know that they'll be okay with our boosters as long as they meet the height requirements, the headrest requirements, and the torso requirements.

(btw, the torso requirements thing makes SO much sense; but until another thread, it never crossed my mind to wonder about it! I already have learned so much.)

The other four kids are in 5pts (three ff and two rf). Well, and two too big for carseats (they are 19 and 17 years old)

 

[carseatcoach]

I would be more concerned about getting suitable high backed boosters for the bigger kids. The Big Kids may be good for now, but my 4'9" kid has outgrown it by height by quite a bit (and she's fairly leggy, not long in the torso at all).

 

[kjvak]

Yes, we would need to see if what we have will be appropriate; and, likely, in time, we'd add more seats depending on what was best for each child who stuck around. If you have suggestions on what seats to have on hand for shorter term fostering and respite situations (1-14days), I'm all ears, of course!

 

[Keeanh]

So glad to hear you have a Ford! It's much more car seat friendly than the GM/Chev vans.

Here's my thread on putting headrests in my Chevy Express: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=199245

Here's a pic of the Caravan headrest guide & sleeve welded onto the Express seat frame: