3 across in Pontiac Montana

[twingirls+1]

I have a Pontiac Montana and need to get 3 car seats in the back seat. Right now I have 2 Marathons and there is NO room for a 3rd back there.

Here's my dilemma:

I need to get a 3rd in the back so I can take my kids and my daycare kids to preschool in the fall. The younger two will set in the front seat (in the back) and the older 3 will be in the back seat. The 3 that will be sitting in the back are all around 32-34 lbs. One is 4 years 4 months and the other two are 3.5. The OH law is that they have to be in a harness until they are 4 AND 40 lbs. So, none of them will reach both qualifications for awhile. However, the 3.5 year olds are TALLER than the other girl and already at the TOP harness slot on the Marathons. Their heads are also right at the top of it (top of head even with top of the seat).

So, I have no clue what kind of seats to get them. I don't really want to spend the money on the Radians (I was thinking 2 of the Radian 65 and a convertible harness/booster for the 3rd seat), but I'm not sure what other options I could really use. The 3rd seat (for my daycare girl) will only be used for short trips to and from preschool, so she won't be in it that much, so I would prefer not to have to purchase a Radian or something in that price range for her also).

Any suggestions? I'm at a loss!

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat. Ready to buy a Convertible car seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law. Ready to buy a Booster Seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Sunshine Kids Radian 80 or 65 - Click for more info If "the Sunshine Kid's Radian 80 convertible car seat is (probably) the only car seat you will ever need," the "probably" part of this statement comes into play when you directly compare the Radian 80 with the Britax Regent. While the Radian 80 has a very high weight capacity, the seat width is only 10" vs. the Regent's 14" seat. The Britax Regent may be a bit wider, but it is very bulky, is only forward facing, and does not fold like the Radian 80. Because the Radian 80 is so narrow, you can potentially put three of them side by side in the back seat. Three Regents side by side? Impossible.

[MnMadhouse]

Actually, Ohio law states (until the booster law becomes in effect 4/6/2009) that a child 4 years old AND 40lbs must be in a car seat OR booster following the manufacturer's guidelines. SO, you COULD get a booster for the 4 year old for transport to/from their preschool....that way it MAY help with some space issues. OF course, if the maturity isn't there for a booster, then you would want to opt for a harness.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law. Ready to buy a Booster Seat? Please support our sponsor!