What's a good, inexpensive "babysitter seat?"

[Katielady]

I have a babysitter who occasionally cares for my kids, and it would be nice if she had the ability to pick my DS up from school sometimes without my having to switch his seat into her car. He is 40lbs, 4.5yo. I think he's about 40 inches tall. Currently he's in a britax marathon. I'm hoping to find something that is cheaper, but still with a five-point harness. It would be god if it were lighter weight so we could also travel with it. Ideas?

[TheGirls]

the Evenflo Maestro is cheaper ($80ish) and often recommended for FF kids that age.

[snoopy5386]

IME I find a high backed booster to be a little more idiot proof to use and install. If it is a short ride and you think your DS would be able to sit in the seat properly, I'd go that way instead.

[liberal_chick]

Originally Posted by snoopy5386 

IME I find a high backed booster to be a little more idiot proof to use and install. If it is a short ride and you think your DS would be able to sit in the seat properly, I'd go that way instead.

This is what we're getting ready to do for my ds1 (who will be 6 in May).  In my car, which is the primary vehicle, we have a seat with a harness, but we need a second seat for dh's car for when he picks ds up after work.  We are going to go with a basic high back booster since it will be for such a short period of drive time each day.

His weight/height stats are close to your ds's, OP, except that we've got a few more inches in height.

[WindyCityMom]

If the seatbelt fits properly on your son when in a high back booster AND he is able to sit properly during the ride, I'd go that route, especially if you don't think your babysitter will have the chest clip at the appropriate level, harness tightened, etc.  You'd still have to teach her to route the seatbelt properly, but as a PP said, boosters are more difficult to misuse than harnessed seats.  I believe Target has some high back boosters on clearance right now.

If you CAN trust your babysitter to buckle correctly, or if your son won't sit still for the ENTIRE ride in his booster, then I'd recommend the Evenflo Maestro :)