Merry Christmas from the Mette's

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How to Fly with Carseats

Most people are aware that the safest way to fly with your children is to take their car seat with you. However, the thought of lugging a toddler, a car seat, and your carry-on is a bit intimidating. For this, they invented the Gogokidz. This product has some perks. Namely you do NOT have to take the car seat off to go through security. Also it doubles as a stroller for your kids. They even claim that you can install the seat in the car without removing the wheels (although I have heard mixed results). The price tag is hefty so I began looking for alternatives.

I found the traveling toddler. MUCH more affordable. Then, the questions started. Would my luggage handle it? Could a metal ring work or did I need the extension? Could I stack multiple seats on one set of wheels? I began experimenting.

At the time that I needed this, I had 3 kids and I was more interested in carrying their seats with one hand than using the stroller option. I tried a ring and the luggage. It was flimsy and the luggage posed a problem when stacking seats. Next, I bought a set of cheap metal wheels at a flea market. This is what I did.

You will need:

1. you car seats with LATCH straps and top tether
2. a metal ring for each seat
3. a set of luggage wheels   

NOTE: I re-created this and had lost the metal rings, So I pulled anything round from my basement, please excuse the random objects.

 

First, open your wheels. Then, place your largest seat on top with back to the handle.

 

Next, "install" your seat onto a metal clip. Clip each side behind the luggage handle and then pull the top tether over the top. Tighten all straps. Remember, this is not child safety, so you don't have to go crazy. Just get them a bit snug. Tuck any excess strap inside the car seat. 

 Now, take your second seat and nestle it on top of you contraption. Don't worry if it seems unstable. Once you tighten the straps it will feel better.

Repeat the process with a new ring and straps. The ring will sit higher than the first set. You may also feel around the seats depending on their shape. On this one My straps were not long enough unless I went above the sidewings of the first seat. (again, we are not putting a child in it, so just do what feels good.)

You'll need to repeat the process another time for a third seat. This was when I ran out of strap. To solve this problem, I went to the basement and pulled out an old LATCH strap from an old seat. (I had cut it because my vehicle did not have LATCH, but it never got thrown away.) Simply connect it to your existing LATCH to extend it. If you do not have this, you can improvise with the traveling toddler, a bungee cord, etc.

 When you are done, you have 3 seats that can be transported with 1 hand.

This particular stack is actually stable when standing alone. The first time I did it, the 3rd seat was an infant carrier WITH a base, so it made it unstable. I was able to prop it against a  wall or table when I needed to let go and it was still easier than carrying them separately. We even topped it off with a duffel bag on top!

Please note that you WILL have to take this apart at the security station. There is no way around that. You can ASK them to use the wand on it, but my seats are steel and the luggage wheels are metal, so I did not even try.

When I got to the plane, I took this all the way in. It was too wide to fit down the aisle, but the stewardess grabbed the wheels and we lifted the whole thing up & over the the plane seats. When we got to my row, I plopped it in the aisle seat. My mother-in-law watched 2 kids, the stewardess held the baby (they do love that) and I went to town installing seats. I can't remember how we did it getting off the plane. I think the stewardess carried 2 seats off and I re-stacked them outside - but it was 3 years ago, so I don't remember. 

Hope this helps. Safe travels.

A New Bedtime Distraction

So, I spent the early morning hours teaching Charity the fine art of vomiting in a trash can. She woke up at 4 AM with an upset stomach. Since Trinity and Annie had already been sick this week, I brought in a clean trash can and told her what it was for. She confirmed that throw-up goes in the trash can or in the toilet. Five minutes later, I find that she did not understand quite as clearly as she had hoped.

I put her in the bath to wash her hair as I change her sheets, pillow, and blanket and get her new pajamas. (What she lacked in quantity, she made up in thoroughness). I then re-stated what the trash can was for and laid with her. The next time she was a pro, not a drop outside the trashcan. However, she insisted that she needed a bath. Then she insisted that she needed new sheets and blankets. "No," I explained, "that is the JOY of the trash can! You stay clean."

OK, so the poor girl figured it out. Age 3, pretty good, huh? We nursed her with ice chips for the morning. I tried to convince her of a morning nap (afterall, I did wake up at 4 AM) No takers. We had a lunch of applesauce and bananas. I tried to coax her for an afternoon nap. No luck. Finally at 3:30 after many rounds, she finally slept. She was out like a ROCK. Finally at quarter til 6 she woke up.

I knew this was a problem. Charity is our biggest fighter at bedtime (see above 3 hours to coax her for a nap). I have tried letting her skip the nap and she STILL stays up until 10 PM. So we had quesadillas for dinner and started our way to bed.

I began the negotiations with UNLIMITED "lights on" time as long as there was no fighting. I read both Cecilia and Charity a book to get them settled. Of course it did not work. Soon the whining started:
  "I have to go to the bathroom"
  "I need a drink"
  "I didn't get a hug"
  "I want you to cuddle"
  "Cecilia has my blanket"
  "My bed is not made"
  "I forgot to wash my hands"

and the new one:
  "I have to throw up in a trash can"

Now I settled the fit over the blankets, let Annie go to the bathroom, and cuddled with Charity.
Trinity claims "I'm hot" I told her she could sleep without pajamas, to which she responds, "I'm not hot from my clothes, from my light" Umm.... "OK, turn your light out." She goes to sleep. (Can you tell who my favorite is at bedtime?)

I declare too much bickering and we call lights out for all. Trinity and Cecilia sleep. Annie pretends to be still, but is reading books in her bed. Charity is still causing a ruckus as much as she possibly can.
  "I want to sleep in your bed"
  "My blankets are messed up again"
  "I found the step stool under Cecilia's bed"
AND
  "I still have throw up on my mouth and need ice"

Now, mind you, the last time she was sick was at 4 AM. 18 hours ago. She has had applesauce, bananas, peanut butter crackers, and quesadillas. I told her it was all nonsense and that she needed sleep. It's 10 PM. She gets out of bed and comes in to me insisting that she needs her trashcan. Just as I am about to tell her that she is lying, she decides to prove to me that she is not.

So... after I give her new pajamas, ice chips, a clean trashcan, and an apology, she is finally asleep (but not before I adjust the blankets on her bed).

What's a mom to do?