Last Updated on 21 June 2023 by Colette
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My little team have spent more than their fair share of time in the car over their lives, more so the big two who used to commute from Manchester to Leeds with me on a daily basis when I was still teaching full time. (Just the thought of the hours we spent on the M62 each week makes me wince, I still don’t know how I managed to keep that up for any length of time).
From our first, tentative drive home from the hospital with a newborn Ben to our first trip abroad or just our daily routines of school runs and swimming lessons, it’s safe to say that over the years, our cars have seen plenty of milestones for our family. Â When Ben was born we swerved the whole “isofix” thing as I thought I was saving money, looking back I should have invested from the start. Â From the safety to the convenience, that was probably my biggest regret when it came to things we did or didn’t purchase, in fact we didn’t actually have a fixed base until Amy was born and it was a complete lifesaver with three children under 5Â to transport! Â
Over the years we’ve had so many different car seats; infant carriers, stage 1,2,3 seats, high back boosters – the list goes on. Â Often this has been a case of moving one child up into the next seat so that their younger sibling could have the one they’ve just grown out of. Â The new Graco Milestone All-In-One car seat is designed to overcome all this faffing about with constantly researching and investing in new car seats providing you with a complete solution from birth to 12 years (or 135cm, whichever comes first). Â A car seat which grows with your child, through all of those memorable milestones, keeping them safe and comfortable.
We’ve reached the stage now where car journeys are easier, two of our three children are now using a three-point harness and can fasten their own seat-belts – I have painful memories of battling three of them into car seats in the rain on my own, gently pushing tantruming bodies back into their seats so I could get them fastened in safely, or worrying that someone had managed to get their five-point harness unfastened on the motorway (I’m looking at you there Ben!). Â It’s definitely a lot less stressful now that they’re older!
Of course the downside of having three older passengers now is that the long journeys are less likely to be punctuated with peaceful snoozes! Â Amy will still fall asleep in the car if we’ve timed the journey right or we are travelling for long enough – though she has a pretty well honed skill for nodding off ten minutes before we’re due to arrive at our destination. Â I do miss the days where we could pretty much guarantee that all three of them would nod off and we could drive in peace rather than trying to manage bickering! Â We always make sure we have plenty of snacks (yes, bribery wins) and their tablets ready for the longer trips.
Who knows what milestones we have yet to reach in our car – last day of primary school, first date, first drunken teen . . . if only cars could talk.
Oh gosh, I am dreading ‘first drunken teen’! x
Me too . . . we were only talking about it yesterday. Fingers crossed for vomit free cars 😉 x
That was some journey to complete everyday, I don’t know how you did it.
Oh me neither love, me neither. At it’s worst I was pregnant, taking a toddler with me, through a terrible winter of snow and then teaching Year 6. Killer.
It makes life so much easier when children can buckle their own seat belts 🙂
#TriedTested
That’s a crazy amount of driving! Gosh don’t know own how you managed. Sounds like quote a good idea for a car seat. We have got to buy our third one soon as our kid is growing out of her toddler seat now …
Thanks for hosting #triedtested
All-in-one car seats are such great value. I used Graco with both my children and the eldest is 21 now!
Oh first drunken teen, no thank you! We are currently looking at car seat options for Holly and I am so done with the faffing around. I want one that will now see her through to the end of our car seat days. x
We’ve not done that many long journeys with our two, but have been really impressed with how well they’ve coped when we have done it. Lots of snacks seems to be a winner in our family! I do wish I’d seen this car seat when they were smaller though, it would’ve made life a lot easier! x
You are right, it is harder to travel now they are bigger. More of are we there yet than a nap
Journeys are so much easier now (kids aged 5 and 8), they used to be filled with screaming and battles but now the children can be entertained (albeit by iPads) and we can do longer journeys and visit more fun places
My kids are now at the age where they want me to teach them to drive ;/ Oh how I wish they were still in a car seat! 🙂 #triedtested
We are fast heading towards our ‘last day of primary school’ milestone with Gemma. Sad times!
Those car seats look like they really do take your child through all the stages safely. #TriedTested
I’m struggling to find a stage 1,2,3 seat to fit into my husbands mini countryman. Its an awkward car. Graco is my next one to try and I’m hoping it works this time. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one #TriedTested
Woweee! Birth through to 12 years! That’s impressive. We do our fair share of driving too, but hopefully not on the school run anymore as we’re in walking distance:) #TriedTested
Lots of driving here too on and off and safety is paramount! Ideal to get a seat that goes from birth to 12 years!
We have a Graco seat for my smallest. It’s 1,2 I think. My oldest had the 1,2,3 when he was 9 months but the guidelines changed since. She is very comfortable in it I have to say.
This is a great idea! Car seats are expensive and we have had 2 different ones already which will only last her a few years. I would love to just pay out for the one which is guaranteed to last until around 12 years. Sophia can’t open the seat belt but can wriggle her arms out which she once did on the motorway scaring me to death.
Jodie x
#TriedTested
Ah lovely post! When I think of all the memories our car seats hold – from the first trip home from hospital to the road trips and holidays – lovely memories!
That sounds like a really useful seat, what an age range!! Thanks for hosting x #triedtested