Travel with Children - carseats

Mom/grandma will be traveling with 3 kids (ages 2, 2 and 4). We will have carseats. How do we handle installing carseats at busy airport when we are picked up?

Those picking us up usually park the car in the airport short-term parking lot. It's a little more expensive but less stressful. The only exception is Frankfurt Airport which has little parking bays that someone has to stay with the whole time, so they don't get too busy.

Thanks for input on having person picking up at airport parking the car... I didn't even think of that. I could just see us trying to install 3 carseats at LAX .. and with 3 little kids (ages 2, 2, 4) after a long flight.

As long as there's an adult to watch the kids while you do it, you wont have any problems. I just hate doing the installation thing in a busy parking lot, with active toddlers running around.

If the person coming to the airport knows the children well, have them wait somewhere while you do it.

Another trick, and this really depends on the airport and city, is my step dad comes in with my mom to SFO. My step dad takes my son (the oldest) home on BART. I'm in the car with my mom and the two other kids.

This has two advantages; unless they have a big-sized car, there's only room for one extra person, plus you and the kids. It's helpful to have TWO adults meet me (and they're usually pretty eager to see their grandchildren anyway) after our 11 1/2 hour flight (with either a connection or a 2 1/2 hour bus). The other plus is that you only would have the two car seats to install at the airport.

My girlfriend does the same with her husband taking a bus to her hometown while her dad drives her and the kids down. They have 4 children so even with a big sized car, they are too many. Husband doesn't have to deal with bags and just sleeps the 2 hours.

You might look into a Ride Safer Vest for the oldest. it's a legit car seat alternative, entirely safe (needs either a shoulder belt OR a tether hook). They're good for travel because they fit into your carry-on. You can't use them on airplanes but I wouldn't sweat this for a 4 year old. With twins, you'll probably be able to use it again in the future.

http://www.safetrafficsystem.com/

The other plus is that it can be used for car pooling, etc. at home. It's not a limited travel product. The oldest might even have more room, with two siblings on either side.

I haven't done three but Ive done two (1 and 3 at the time) at MCO. If you do have to do it at the terminal then put the kids in the front seat (you aren't moving so it will be perfectly safe) and install the seats. Make sure to have the person/people not installing watch the children. It works pretty well. Better if its a van and you can just have them all in the back. Install the youngest (or the one least likely) to listen first and then work yourself up.

I'm usually efficient enough at drop off to take the seats out.. and at pickup, placing the seats in.. although I agree, the short term parking solution is an excellent way to take the stress out of the situation. Its pretty important to make sure the seats are secure as statistics are high with parents installing the seats into vehicles incorrectly.

You might look into a Ride Safer Vest for the oldest. it's a legit car seat alternative, entirely safe (needs either a shoulder belt OR a tether hook). They're good for travel because they fit into your carry-on. You can't use them on airplanes but I wouldn't sweat this for a 4 year old. With twins, you'll probably be able to use it again in the future.

http://www.safetrafficsystem.com/



You should check the state laws where you are going. I believe that California considers that a belt-positioner, and the child must be at least 6 years old or 60 pounds to use it (4 yrs and 40 pounds gets them out of a carseat and into a belt-positioning booster seat).

Cali