If your 3-year-old no longer fits in the toddler seat, get
her a booster. Readjust shoulder straps
for your rapidly-growing baby. Replace
the 2-year-old's raggedy seat cover with a nifty new one. Nothing makes my children twitch and moan
more than seats that don't fit or feel comfortable. But whatever you do, don't buy used carseats or boosters. You don't know if they have been recalled or
damaged in previous accidents. If you
can't afford new ones, just about any social service agency, hospital or police
station can point you toward a good source of free seats. And before any long trip, it pays to make an
appointment at your local fire or police station for a free carseat check, to
make sure it’s installed properly.
Toys Are Tops
Pack a bag with toys that a) can attach to car seats, b)
can't hurt anyone if thrown, and c) are easily retrievable when dropped. When we would travel cross-country with
three toddlers, magnetic drawing toys (such as Magna-Doodle and Etch-A-Sketch)
saved our sanity. You can anchor toys
to car seats and seatbelts using plastic chain links available at almost any
hardware store. To avoid a
strangulation hazard, keep the chain only just long enough for the child to
play with the toy.
Hooked on Books
Board books that can attach to baby seats are wonderful if
you can find them. Coloring books for toddlers and preschoolers are good too. But
beware, I have almost caused more than one accident while trying to prevent a
toddler from coloring the upholstery or eating crayons.
Lots of Stops
As you head to Grandma's house for Christmas, don't expect
your kids to be happy unless they stretch their legs every couple hours or so. Also, keep in mind that toilet-trained
toddlers can't hold it forever, even if you do limit beverages. Bring some antiseptic wipes along with you,
so you can wipe off suspect toilet seats and sinks in gas station
bathrooms. A smaller toddler may also
appreciate a portable potty seat that can be put atop an adult-sized toilet in
a rest stop. Be flexible about stops;
there is no way you are going to make good time with kids in the car, so relax
and enjoy yourself.