[Megan73]

I'm desperate - I just bought a car and can't drive it because I can't get an acceptable install of my eight-month-old's convertible. Anyone out there an Ministry of Transportation-trained installer?
I'd be happy to pay for the service or make a donation to the charity of your choice.

 

[Meg08]

Try Seats Coalition [email protected].
http://www.seatsforkidscanada.com/

When I couldn't get into one of their clinics, a co-worker told me that the fire department used to do car seat inspections - but I didn't look into that.

 

[the_lissa]

Another option is to ask your dealership if they have a certified car seat tech. I have some friends that work at dealerships and some of them pay for their employees to become car seat techs.

 

[Megan73]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meg08 Try Seats Coalition [email protected]. http://www.seatsforkidscanada.com/ When I couldn't get into one of their clinics, a co-worker told me that the fire department used to do car seat inspections - but I didn't look into that.

Thanks, Meg08, but unfortunately the next seats for kids clinic isn't until May and the Ottawa Fire Department no longer does car seat inspections.

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_lissa Another option is to ask your dealership if they have a certified car seat tech. I have some friends that work at dealerships and some of them pay for their employees to become car seat techs.

Thanks for this suggestion. I didn't buy the car through a dealer but I'll try calling around to some.

 

[star*mora]

megan, did you try posting in the parenting section - the family safety area? there seem to be quite a few crst from canada in there, so there's bound to be a few from ottawa in there. one of the discussions there last summer helped me decide on the true fit for callum

arlene

 

[star*mora]

oh wait - i found something super helpful for you (i had it in my bookmarks on my laptop)

http://www.seatsforkidscanada.com/page/page/5515273.htm
and the home page
http://www.seatsforkidscanada.com/home.html

 

[Megan73]

Thanks, Arlene.
Unfortunately their next clinic isn't until May but I e-mailed in hopes they can point me to someone.

 

[momma-d]

I don't know if they do this here, but before we moved from the States we had our seat inspected for proper fit at our police station. Perhaps you can try that...?

 

[Jes'sBeth]

I`m pretty sure Seats for Kids will also arrange for a tech to come to you for a fee.

What car and what seat are you working with? Have ypu tried both seat belt and UAS install?

 

[star*mora]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jes'sBeth I`m pretty sure Seats for Kids will also arrange for a tech to come to you for a fee. What car and what seat are you working with? Have ypu tried both seat belt and UAS install?

that's what i meant to mention with the link - they came when we put the bucket seat in (dh arranged that while callum was still in the nicu). i don't think it was all that expensive.

doh! pregnancy brain!!

 

[Megan73]

Thanks, mamas.
Seats for Kids will indeed send a tech to your house - the fee is $50.
Now if I could only get Leo to tolerate the carseat - every ride in the new wheels is a screamfest

: I though babies loved riding in the car?

 

[Malva]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megan73 I though babies loved riding in the car?

My son sure didn't when he was little. Once, he screamed from Montreal to Ottawa. The entire time, well almost, he went to sleep at Walkley Rd... I was by myself with him and there was nothing I could do, he was fed, clean, he just didn't understand why I wasn't picking him up. It was sooooo distessing! I was in tears most of the way.

Fortunately, he really likes it now and has since he was a toddler. But it probably helps that we're a car-free family so it's always a novelty to him.

 

[Megan73]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malva But it probably helps that we're a car-free family so it's always a novelty to him.

I thought it might be a novelty for my little guy - he's only ridden in grandma's car half-a-dozen times.
I wish we could have stayed car-free - it really worked for us - but I realized that if I don't start driving to work when I go back in August I won't get home in time to see him at all in the evening

 

[star*mora]

we try to avoid the car trips at all costs (good thing we live downtown!)
callum has been in a car maybe 3 dozen times in his life. i'm sure that number will go up soon enough, but my 2 door 99 sunfire is not exactly easy to tote around a bub (or 2) in.

we put 4000km on our car last year (including 2 trips to toronto), i just don't like driving at all - dh walks to work and i've shifted all my work to working from home. anyhow, o/t but callum really used to hate being confined in his carseat (just getting him in the bucket seat was torture - for both of us!), he's better now (still have him rearfacing but he can see a bit more around him.