Who Should Go in the Middle?

[2littlejumpingbeans]

Okay...I am still trying to figure a lot of car seat stuff out. The kids are currently using an Alpha Omega Elite and a Evenflo Big Kid Booster I have on loan from a friend. Who should go in the middle? The fit next to each other but I can't decide whether the harnessed or the booster should go in the middle? Also, I am in the process of purchasing a Graco Nautilus and either a Graco Turbobooster or Britax Parkway. These will become their main seats. Will it change when I get them? Thanks.

 

[ketchupqueen]

Assuming the middle has a lap/shoulder belt, generally, the child in the booster, as the "least protected child" by her seat, should go in the middle, as long as the booster does not require vehicle support behind it (a backless or some brands of high-back booster; not yours) that the middle seat does not have. However there are sometimes practical considerations that make it better to do the other way around (buckling ease and such) or to have both seats outboard.

May I ask what the ages of the children in question are? Is this the 6 and 4 year olds from your signature?

 

[2littlejumpingbeans]

The middle does have the lap and shoulder belt and yes they are the 6 year old and 4 year old. They can both climb into their seats by themselves so it doesn't really matter to me where they are at. I just wanted to know who was at more risk, the boostered or the harnassed. If it helps, I have side curtain airbags in my car. I am not sure if this makes a difference though.

 

[ketchupqueen]

Then the boostered child is "less protected" by her seat.