My friend watches 3 kids for her friend from church, they are 3 1/2 and twins that just turned 2. Well the other day we went out with them and my friend couldn't get one of the twins' straps tightened so she asked me to try to help, so I get in their van to help and they are all in evenflo seats (I *think* they are triumph advance because they have that cylinder thing at the base of the seat to tighten the straps and I think thats the only seat that has that) anyway, 2 of the are bigger and the 3rd is older looking and smaller, but generally looks like the same seat, just with a much lower shell height. Anyway...The 3 1/2 year old was in the smaller seat, not only was his head a good 2 inches ABOVE the top of the shell, the straps were through the middle slots instead of the top and clearly a couple of inches below his shoulders (he is FFing) UGH! Then the twins...their seats don't have the slots that you have to re-thread like the other seat, just the things slide up and down, they were also way too low, and the boy twin is only 22 lbs and forward facing, I mean I know that is legal as he is over 1 and 20, but he is soooooo tiny, I really wish he was RFing. So I put the younger boy in the smaller seat (with plenty of head clearance) and the straps were at the right height, then I adjusted the strap height on the other 2 seats as well and I told her that she should really let the mom know that the older boy was way outgrown his seat. So she tells me that the mom usually just lets them sit wherever (no wonder the strap heights were so wrong for the seats they were each in!) I hope she told the mom, and I hope the mom listens, but it was so frustrating to see them not buckled in right...and I really wish the tiny twin would've been RFing (and the other two as well, but at least they are much bigger!) Just wanted to share my :banghead: moment with those who would understand.
Momof3tobe
12-02-2009, 05:58 AM
I know how you feel. I see kids here all the time w/o any seats, or seatbelts at all. Even sitting in the front too. It drives me nuts! :banghead:
I believe in the seat you mentioned, The head can be above the shell. As long as it is above his/her ears. I honestly would not be comfy with that myself, but that is what the book says on my Evenflo. I hope the mom gets informed!
Chey
12-02-2009, 09:03 AM
Yeah, when FFing most seats allow you to go as high as the ears being level with the shell. Not that it is optimal when there is a seat that would be a better fit and all you have to do is rearrange the kids.
Crew&West
12-02-2009, 09:09 AM
I feel ya! I saw a man driving yesterday with an infant seat in the front seat, no base (which i know some you can use that way, but that's not the point), and windows down (it was maybe 50 out yesterday) and loud music! WTH sir?! And to top it all off... he was a 40+ yo man! Not some kid!
bellaprincess
12-02-2009, 11:12 AM
I hear you mama. My SIL has had my 21 month old nephew FF since the day he turned one. I mentioned it to Dad and he said he doesn't like the way the seat fits RF. The sad part is, Dad is a firemen and knows what can happen. All for the sake of comfort. UGH! Just get a new seat.
carsonsmommy1108
12-04-2009, 10:20 PM
Good to know he isn't *** grown out of it, but he is VERY tall for his age and I'm pretty sure even his ears were above the top of the shell. The part that bummed me out the most was that 2 yo who should absolutely be RFing still, he is so so so tiny!
Computermama
12-04-2009, 11:26 PM
I feel ya! I saw a man driving yesterday with an infant seat in the front seat, no base (which i know some you can use that way, but that's not the point), and windows down (it was maybe 50 out yesterday) and loud music! WTH sir?! And to top it all off... he was a 40+ yo man! Not some kid!
There's not really a problem with that so long as the kid was well dressed, and there wasn't an active airbag on that seat. On most seats the base is just to make the install easier, and you can RF in the front so long as the airbag is disabled.
alia
12-04-2009, 11:35 PM
I totally understand your reaction. I have a hard time seeing things like that. I want to do more, but if I did, where would I stop? Sigh.
