Tip 1 – Make Sure That They Are Buckled Up!

It is utmost important that SAFETY comes first in any journey.  If kids tarvelling with you are not buckled up and allowed to move freely in the car, you do not only endanger their lives but your own as well.  A little distraction is all that is needed to cause serious accidents.
Many booster car seats for kids are available nowadays and many of them have great safety features.  Products such as Britax Car Seats and Graco Cars Seats comes highly recommended when we speak of credible brands in car seats for kids.

Tip 2 – Toilet Going

Make sure that everyone goes to the toilet before you start the journey.  Also ensure that they have with them their favourite jackets in the car.  You would not want to stop somewhere just to take the jackets from the boot.

Tip 3 – Pack Food

To avoid unnecessary “pit stops”, pack meals for the kids…be it their favourite food.  Also ensure that they have a bottle of water each. Oh yes!  Make sure that the packaging is easy to open.

Tip 4 – Have A Pep Talk

Tell them what your expectations are in terms of behaviour during the journey.  Explain to them the rewards they will get if they behave well during the journey (keep to what you say!!).  This is to prevent any temper tantrums during the journey.

Tip 5 – Talk Talk Talk

Great opportunity to polish your conversational skills with your kids.  Make up topics to talk about…be it about family or just things that are casual (some call it small talk).  You will be surprise of how “little” parents know about their kids!

Tip 6 – Take A Break

If you need to take a break and concentrate on your driving, take along an ipod full of songs and stories.  Use this sparingly, though.  Let the kids take a technology break and let them unwind.

Tip 7 – Through Children’s Eyes

For as much as these tips are to ensure that you have a less stressful journey with your kids, try to see the trip through the eyes of the children. Children see the whole journey as a fun trip and if you are able to capture their excitement, you will truly enjoy the trip.

Conclusion

Long trips are meant to be enjoyed for the whole family.  If you prepare well using the tips above, I am sure that it will not only make your trip less stressful but would also be a fulfilling time with the whole family.

Britax Roundabout Car Seat Review Summary

With the Britax Roundabout 50 Convertible Car Seat, you get top safety features in a versatile car seat that your child can use from birth through toddlerhood. With both rear-facing and forward-facing configurations, this convertible car seat can handle a weight load of up to 50 pounds, giving you the option of using it into your child’s toddler years, and making it an economical and practical choice for your family.

Great Product Features

* Convertible rear facing five to 35 pounds and forward facing from at least one year old and 20 pounds, up to 50 pounds
* Side impact protection distributes crash forces, shields from vehicle intrusion, and contains the head and body
* Higher forward facing seat capacity allows children to remain harnessed up to 50 pounds
* Tangle free, five point harness with four harness heights and three buckle positions for a snug and secure fit
* Premium push button lower latch connectors for a quick, simple and tight installation

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Britax Roundabout Reviewers’ Summary

Value conscience parents, wanting a safe car seat for their children have chosen the Britax Roundabout car seat to carry their precious cargo. Being “the smallest of the Britax” car seats the Roundabout is “light weight” and “a breeze to install” as well as economical. Although it is easy to use, the Roundabout does have a puzzle lock style buckle that may turn some parents off. In reviews for the Roundabout, parents agree their children “get very cozy” in the seat. “The Britax Roundabout is a great car seat that grows with the child” up to 40 pounds and/or 40 inches which works well for parents wanting to use their Roundabout for additional children. Although other Britax models can hold larger children, the Roundabout fits in compact and mid-size cars easily. View reviews of other Britax models here to help you decide which Britax is best for you.

Selected Reviews of Other Users on Amazon.com

You can read all reviews HERE but we have selected the ones actual users find most helpful:

Most Helpful FAVOURABLE Review

I searched for months before buying this seat for my daughter. I read lots of reviews on the internet and had a hard time deciding if I should spend $219 on this seat of just buy a cheaper one. I am so happy that I went ahead a spent the extra money. This seat is SO worth it. The print is great and the fabric is very easy to clean. My daughter loves to snack in the car and can make quite a mess. I just vacuum the crumbs occassionally and wipe down any other messes with a damp cloth. The restraint design is great and very easy to access and use.
The straps have never gotten twisted or tangled like some other cheaper seats do. I used this seat in the rear-facing position for about 3 months until my daughter was big enough to turn forwards. It was very easy to use in this position as well. I love the button you push to loosen the straps and it was still easy to use even in the rear facing position (this is a problem in some other convertible seats). I have a Nissan Maxima and the seat fit very well both front and rear-facing in this relatively small car. I highly recommend this product!!!

S.Long (5 Stars)

Most Helpful CRITICAL review

Decent seat, but I should have bought the Marathon! My kid is tall, so I had to turn him forward at 18 mos because his head was over the shell. (AAP guidelines say keep your kid rear-facing till 2 years – do some research and you will be saddened at what the “authorities” suggest by turning your kid at 1yr/20lbs) Now, he’s almost 2 and the shoulder straps are at the highest setting. I anticipate he will outgrow the seat in the next 6 months or less. Had I spent the extra $50 on the Marathon it would have lasted him two more years. The straps are not padded and get twisted quite easily. If your kid is a peanut, then this might work out for you, but if you have an average to large kid GET THE MARATHON!!!

Sciteach (2 Stars)

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Product Details

List Price – USD 179.99 (Sometimes there could be a good discount. CHECK)

Dimension: 9.5 x 27.5 x 25.5 inches

Weight: 15.5 lbs

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Britax Regent Youth Car Seat Review Summary

Dubbed as the King of all car seats, the  Britax Regent car seat is the solution for parents to keep their child in a harnessed child restraint for as long a possible. With its large roto-molded shell, comfy, extra thick comfort foam, and soft, washable covers, children can arrive securely and comfortably at their destination. The Regent exceeds U.S. safety standards with the rigid Britax testing standards.

The tangle-free, five-point harness and push-button LATCH connectors help to tightly secure your child every day. Unique features include the patented Versa-Tether® for energy management, energy-managing protective foam liner, four harness heights and two buckle strap positions.

The Regent fits children forward facing from at least one year old and 22 pounds, up to 80 pounds. The Regent is made in the USA with U.S. and global components.

Product Description & Features

Designed for larger child passengers, this forward-facing car seat holds up to 80 pounds and is chock full of comfort and safety features.

Key Features

* Four shoulder slots for a closer fit and one pull front harness adjustment
* Belt holders keep belts aside for boarding
* Removable, washable fabric cover
* Belly pad for comfort and protection
* Mesh storage pouch/cup holder
* Flexible Latch System
* Patented Versa-Tether
* Comfort foam and EPS protective foam
* Tangle-free, polyester 5-point harness with belly pad
* Patented HUGS system
* One-pull front harness adjustment
* Forward-facing position
* For children 1 year and 22 lbs. up to 80 lbs.

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Britax Regent Car Seat – Reviewers’ Summary

The Britax Regent car seat is considered the ‘best car seat’ for parents that want to keep their toddlers in a 5-point harness. Parents love the extra safety for their kids– especially when they are too big for an infant car seat and too small for a booster. Reviewers say the Britax regent is easy to install, large, cushy and long lasting. Children can sit in this youth carseat until they are 80lbs. Parents also note it is expensive, heavy, and cumbersome to travel with. If you have several children, the Regent is very large and therefore difficult to fit 3 in a row in a car. A certified child passenger safety technician shared a review and said the Britax Regent car seat is one of the best on the market. Now, that’s an endorsement.

Selected Reviews of Other Users on Amazon.com

You can read all reviews HERE but we have selected the ones visitors find most helpful:

Most Helpful FAVOURABLE Review

We recently switched from an Evenflo Triumph to the Britax Regent. Our daughter is 33 months old, 33 lbs and just under 40″ tall. She had reached the top limits of her old seat, but being less than 3 years old just isn’t ready for a traditional booster. I shopped for several weeks before finally deciding to take the plunge with this seat. My hesitation was price and size.

Ultimately price is easy to overcome, as what is more precious and worth more than the life of a child?
As far as size goes, it is a large seat, no question about it. However, I drive a 2006 Honda Civic Sedan and don’t really see how this seat is that much larger than the other seats I was seriously considering: the Evenflo Generations (hated the flimsy arm rests and adjustable head positioner), Graco Cargo (too narrow, not much room for a growing toddler), and the Recaro Young Sport (head wings were too big).

This seat is installed in the backseat on the passenger side. It DOES indeed fit in my car and does NOT obstruct my view out the back window. In fact, the top of this seat is actually lower than the rear headrests are in their lowest position. It does take up the majority of one side of the backseat. We are only a three person family, so I do not have to consider space in my car for additional carseats. There is still plenty of space for one additional backseat passenger and the person riding in front of where the Britax is installed can still ride in relative comfort. I will take some pictures and post them for others to see.

My daughter seems to really enjoy riding in this seat – I think her only complaint would be that it rides lower in the car and makes it a little harder for her to see out the side windows. As quickly as she is growing, I don’t think that will be an issue for long. She often nods off in her seat and the side is just deep enough to allow her to do so without her head flopping all over the place. All in all, I’m very happy with this purchase and would recommend this seat to anyone who asked!

Little Me Beads (5 stars)

Most Helpful CRITICAL review

I bought this seat after two certified carseat technicians told me how great it was to have the 5 pt harness up to 80 lbs. I have a brand new 2008 GMC vehicle and this seat was way too big for it! My child looked like she was sitting on a throne. I had difficulty getting it out of the box it was so enormous. It is huge. I returned it and bought a Britax Marathon that has the 5 pt harness up to 65 lbs instead. I’d recommend trying out the Regent in person in your car and on your child before buying this one for sure.

Momof2girls (3 stars)

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Product Description

List Price : USD 249.99 (Sometimes there could be a good discount. CHECK)

Dimensions: 37 x 22 x 13.7 inches

Weight: 31 lbs

Britax Frontier Car Seat Review Summary

The Britax Frontier Car Seat allows parents to keep their children secure in a 5-point harness for as long as possible. Suitable for kids at least 25 lbs, 2 years of age, and 30″ tall, the Frontier from Britax is best for parents graduating their little ones from a convertible car seat.

5 Key Product Benefits

Deep side walls and adjustable head support

- Provide True Side Impact Protection to distribute crash forces, shield from vehicle intrusion, contain the head and body, and minimize side-to-side head movement

Highest five-point harness seat capacity

- Allows children to remain harnessed up to 80 pounds or in booster mode up to approximately 100 pounds

Quick-adjust headrest and harness

- Allows re-positions of head support and harness height effortlessly without having to re-thread the straps

Flexible Secure Fit

- Tangle-free, five-point harness with eight harness heights and three buckle positions allows a snug and secure fit

Easy Installation

- Premium push-button LATCH connectors ensure a quick, simple and tight installation

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Britax Frontier – Reviewers’ Summary

Britax Frontier is an outstanding car seat in terms of safety, in both harness mode and booster mode. The phenomenal side impact protection, high harness weight limit and very tall booster shell make Frontier a worthwhile choice for long-term use.

However, installation can be a little tricky. If you’re not committed to carefully reading instructions and taking time to install the car seat correctly, or you’re not willing to ask an experienced car seat tech for help, your child might miss out on some of the safety advantages the Britax Frontier offers.

Selected Reviews of Other Users on Amazon.com

You can read all reviews HERE but we have selected the ones actual users find most helpful:

Most Helpful FAVOURABLE Review

I just purchased the Frontier and installed it in my car. This is my 5th Britax car seat, I have had 3 Marathons and one Parkway. I notice several people complain about ease of install on the Frontier, and I have one thing to say. READ THE MANUAL!!! I skimmed the manual when I got it, figuring that LATCH installation would be similar to all the other Britax seats I have had. After strugging with it for a while, I went back to the manual and discovered – it isn’t. The LATCH buckles are recessed into the body of the seat, which makes it impossible to tighten the conventional way one tightens a Marathon or a Roundabout. You must reach BEHIND the seat pad and pull the LATCH tethers tight that way. Perfect, Britax quality solid installation. It is illustrated that way in the manual, and had I read it thoroughly I would have had this seat in in less than 5 minutes. So, shame on me. Second, in harness mode, you MUST flip the bottom of the seat from booster mode to harness mode. This is also in the manual. Lastly, people have complained that the straps twist – the manual addresses this too. Instead of the strap velcro that the Marathon had, Britax suggests you use the armrests to hold the straps back out of the way. Viola! No twisting.

All in all, I think this is a great seat and another example of quality Britax engineering. I can foresee that Britax might have issues with people not being able to install this seat properly, though, because people don’t READ THE MANUAL!!! Can I again suggest to read the manual? I gave this seat 4 stars instead of 5 only because I wish it came in more colors and patterns – I loved my Cowmooflage seats, and am not impressed with the color and pattern selection available here. This is the last car seat I will buy, it will take my son all the way through until he can ride like an adult.

Noel G. Rooks (4 stars)

Most Helpful CRITICAL review

I am the mother of an almost 3 1/2 year old who is very tall for her age and has outgrown her harness carseat. I was reluctant to put her in a booster, as harness seats seem so much safer and more secure. Having only heard great things about Britax car seats, I decided to make the hefty investment and try the Frontier so that she could be harnessed for several more years. The seat appears well built and sturdy, but as the driver of a 2009 Honda Odyssey, I have had to return the Frontier. After several attempts to install the seat using both the short and long belt path installation instructions, I could not obtain a secure fit in the second row seat. (FYI — for children over 40 pounds using the harness, installation must be with the seat belt, not LATCH) I finally called Britax to find out if others have encountered trouble with installations in Odysseys. They stated that the Frontier was tested in the Odyssey, but that a secure fit was only obtained in the third row. As the parent of only one child, it is highly impractical to banish her to the third row and to climb back there myself to adjust her harness. So, I returned the seat and my daughter has been happily and securely riding in a high-back booster for the past few days. For those contemplating a Frontier, I recommend that you try before you buy, or at least ensure that the seat you purchase can be returned if it does not fit your vehicle.

S.Bowman (2 Stars)

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Product Description

List Price : USD 279.99 (Sometimes there could be a good discount. CHECK)

Dimensions: 19.5 x 22.0 x 26.5 inches (WxHxD)

Weight: 23.5 pounds

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Britax Marathon Car Seat Review Summary

The Britax Marathon Car Seat is a durable, convertible car seat that helps keep your child safe and secure in the car. Ideal for parents seeking premium comfort and a higher, forward-facing harnessed weight capacity, the Marathon fits children rear facing from five to 35 pounds and children forward facing from at least one year old and 20 pounds, up to 65 pounds. Both positions can accommodate a standing height up to 49 inches.

5 Key Product Features

- 5 point harness with patented Floating HUGS system and 4 harness heights
- Built-in lock-off clips, Versa-Tether & Safe Guard LATCH Connectors
- EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) and Comfort Foam for safety and comfort
- Rear- and forward-facing recline
- Rear facing: 5 to 35 pounds. Forward facing: At least 1 year old and 20 to 65 pounds

What Makes BRITAX Marathon Different?

An Easy-to-Adjust Design That Grows with Your Baby

The Britax Marathon car seat  boasts an easy-to-manage design and enhanced features that can be safely used in cars with or without the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system. For one, it provides built-in lock-off clips that keep the seat tightly in place when using only traditional seatbelts at installation. Secondly, a simple handle pull allows the car seat base to be reclined when rear-facing, and soft padding and a stain resistant, removable and washable cover keep things cozy and stress-free.

In addition, the five-point harness system is made with strong polyester webbing, has tangle free straps, and fits snugly over your baby’s shoulders, collarbone and hips to provide a secure fit. There are also four adjustable height positions so the seat can truly grow with your baby. Finally, the one-hand recline adjustment allows for proper positioning, which helps ensure your child’s safety.

HUGS for Optimum Safety and Support

When it comes to safety, the Britax Marathon car seat truly delivers. First, the patented floating HUGS (Harness Ultra Guard) system exceeds U.S. safety standards by reducing forward head movement as it gently cushions the neck and chest with soft padding–a feature that’s particularly important both in the case of an accident and during nap time. In addition, this system better distributes the webbing loads, reducing head movement and minimizing harness irritation on baby’s neck in case of an impact. HUGS also reduces the chance of improperly positioning the chest clip.

Versa-Tether for Additional Security

Britax Marathon also offers Britax’s patented Versa-Tether, an anchor aid that provides additional security in the forward facing position for children weighing more than 50 pounds. The Versa-Tether fastens the top of the car seat to factory installed automobile anchor points, minimizing the possibility of a head injury in the event of impact. This system also allows for rear-facing tethering to help keep the seat consistently stable.

Weighing 16.5 lbs, and measuring 19.5 x 27.5 x 25.5 inches (WxHxD), the Marathon is also Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213 compliant, meaning it adheres to a strict set of quality control and safety standards, and is approved for airline travel. The Marathon comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

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Britax Marathon – Reviewers’ Summary

Overwhelmingly, owners of the Britax Marathon agree that it is the best convertible car seat they could have bought and was “definitely worth the extra money“. Parents who were skeptical about purchasing an expensive car seat generally “purchased [the Marathon] due to high recommendations from other parents” or Consumer Reports. Reviewers continuously note the Marathon’s ease of installation and use even though the seat is “heavy and quite bulky.“ The Marathon can also take up a lot of room while in the rear-facing mode. One of the best selling features of the Marathon is that it accommodates children from birth up to 65 pounds which means a “child can remain in the safest possible stage for much longer.” Parents and kids alike also agree that the Marathon is “the most comfy car seat”.

Selected Reviews of Other Users on Amazon.com

You can read all reviews HERE but we have selected the ones customers find most helpful:

Most Helpful FAVOURABLE Review

Don’t get me wrong….I would own nothing other than Britax seats at this point. We have 4 children and we’ve tried various models. We’ve donated the others to Goodwill. We currently own 5 Britax car seats for 4 children. We have 2 Regents, 1 Parkway(used as a spare), 1 Marathon, and 1 Roundabout. I feel as though I’m a walking advertisement for Britax and we’ve been accused of being uptight about car seats.

As far as I’m concerned, there are three main features that we look for in a car seat:

1. Does it fit securely in the vehicle?

Forward facing, this seat is awesome. We don’t have the latch system in our van, so we never had the opportunity to use the latch belts although I’m sure they work fine. We use the shoulder belt and we’ve never seen any other seat get as secure as our seat. When we try to move the seat side to side, the van moves instead. The beauty of the system is that after you’ve tightened the lap part of the belt down as far as you can, you then slide the shoulder part of the belt into a slot that latches down on the side of the seat. Once you’ve done this, the belt doesn’t develop any slack. Then for good measure, you attach the tether to the underside of the rear of the seat (or a tether hook in some cars). This seat doesn’t move after that.

Rear facing, the seat could be improved. This is why the seat doesn’t get 5 stars from me. The side lock down mechanism is tightened more by the thickness of the belt. Unfortunately, it can pop open without much pressure. (As a side note, the lockdown on the side of our older Roundabout works great. It is a different design. I’m not sure if Britax thought they were improving and have changed the design or if they have a different lockdown on this seat.) The annoying thing about this is that you have to continuously check to see if it has released.

2. Condition of the straps is important. I haven’t seen one manufacturer compare to the quality of the straps. The shoulder straps are thick and wide. They don’t fold up on themselves or get tangled. They are also wide across your child’s shoulders.

3. Child’s comfort. The side guards around the head are great for when they are getting tired and the safety foam is the same as you would find in bike helmets.

Overall, the seat is great. If I could have given it 4.5 stars, I would have. The rear facing problem was minor to us because we could use our Roundabout rear facing, but for someone who needs to use it rear facing for a while, it might be more of a problem. I’m hoping Britax improves that one thing, but overall, this seat is highly recommended by me.

Concerned Father (4 Stars)

Most Helpful CRITICAL review

This is a good car seat, with some observations.

Older children may not fit into the Marathon, as the base is too tall and they’re likely to outgrow it in height way before they reach the 65 lb weight limit. In contrast, the Roundabout has a lower weight limit (to 40 lbs) and may be a better choice if you’re transitioning from an infant seat.

The Marathon seat is shallow and the crotch strap is too short, especially for toddler boys. The Marathon measures 6 inches from the back of the seat to the base of the strap. The Roundabout is deeper, 7 inches from seat back to the base of the strap, which is perplexing. Why would Britax make the larger seat shallower, if it has to fit both infants and older children?

Second, the quick release of the Marathon is so easy to use (gently lift the metal part under the front flap) even a toddler can do it- if they fiddle with it they can loosen the harness while strapped in! Teaching the child the meaning of “no” and placing safety pins on the flap are possible solutions but not what one would expect on an expensive car seat.
It helps to tuck the excess straps between the BRitax and the car’s seat.

Please note that some models of the Marathon have a flap with velcro that’s easy to lift. The Marathon Greystone sold by Target has a slightly different flap (the metal clasp is still underneath but hidden by a flap that’s sewn on the sides – not velcroed like the picture). This looks like an improvement, as most Marathon models have the velcro version. I don’t know if the amazon model has this new flap.

The Roundabout has a different harness release system (button) and you need to press hard to release it which makes it more child proof.

Lastly, the Marathon and the Roundabout are handwash & drip dry only according to the owner’s manual and care instructions attached to the seat.

It’s a good seat for young toddlers, not so much for older ones, especially boys.

Justbooking (3 Stars)

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Product Description Of Britax Marathon Car Seat

List Price – USD 279.99 (Sometimes there are specials in the store. CHECK)

Dimensions: 19.5 x 27.5 x 25.5 inches (WxHxD)

Weight: 16.5 lbs

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