Most people are probably familiar with the old adage which states that it’s not so much the destination as the journey that’s most important. And for those of us who have children, it is exactly the importance of the journey that cannot be emphasized enough.

Whether it is a short trip to the grocery store, a one-tank road trip or traveling across the country for a destination vacation, the safety of our children is a constant among all the possible variables on the itinerary.

Not only must the journey be kept in mind as far as the safety of each and every child, but ensuring the continued safety of our children once the destination has finally been reached is also something that needs to be taken into consideration.

To this end, companies such as Britax USA are making it easier for parents, whether traveling for vacation or simply on-the-go, to ensure the safety of their children by providing a remarkably comprehensive lineup of car seats, strollers and other accessories for both the inside and outside of the vehicle.

Britax was actually formed back in 1939, and for the last 70+ years, the company has been pioneering the child seat industry worldwide. Indeed, when Britax entered the American market in 1996, it only took a year for the British company to launch the very first convertible car seat in the U.S., the Roundabout.

Since its early beginnings in the child seat industry, Britax has become one of the most trusted car seats in America, as well as garnering the accolade of best-selling car seat in Europe

Indeed, it is from this very first introduction of convertible car seats that, in 2010, Britax redesigned the line to create safer convertible car seats, such as the Boulevard 70-G3.

The new series of car seats, like the Boulevard 70-G3, is outfitted with Britax’s patented SafeCell technology, where the SafeCells, an engineered structure designed to compress in the event of a crash, counteract the forward propulsion that can take place with typical car seats.   

The Boulevard 70-G3, then, weighing in at 19.5 pounds, is an exemplary model of what car seat safety can embody. The Boulevard supports up to 70 pounds of weight, thereby ensuring that, as your child grows, the Boulevard will still provide adequate safety and comfort for your child just as it did at the time of purchase!

An added comfort for your child is the fact that the Boulevard offers an option for both rear and forward facing reclining. This feature, as well as the extra layer of padding included from High Density Comfort Foam, will support your child with the ultimate amount of comfort.

The Boulevard 70-G3 also comes with Britax’s energy-absorbing Versa-Tether, which is located on the back, upper part of the child seat. This latch system, essentially a strap that hooks onto an anchor in your vehicle, allows the child seat to be comfortably tethered to the vehicle in either the forward-facing or rear-facing position.

The Boulevard 70-G3 also comes with an easy-to-remove cover (with 8 different fabric options, including Silver Birch and Aztec, available), matching comfort pads and an infant body pillow. These convenient features allow the Boulevard to be cleaned easily without uninstalling it or even disassembling the child seat.

In addition to the wonderful advancements that Britax has made with redesigning the line of convertible car seats, is the plethora of accessories that can be purchased to accompany the car seats. These products also speak to the company’s dedicated focus on child safety and innovative technology.

One such inventive accessory is the Britax Back Seat Mirror, which is not only compatible with most vehicle head restraints, but also provides a view of your child at any angle while the car seat is in the rear-facing position. Likewise, the Britax Vehicle Seat Protector is designed with non-slip material and raised edges to catch spills and debris, making the vehicle seat protector a breeze to cleanup. The seat protector is also waterproof, while a front seat guard helps to defend the front of the vehicle seat from your child’s shoes.

Britax also makes convenient car seat covers, such as removable covers to keep out the rain, sun and bugs.

To ensure the ultimate amount of fun once the destination is finally reached, Britax also provides stroller accessories. Strollers can be purchased with rain, mosquito and sun covers as well, while useful accessories, such as pouches and organizers for holding assorted items, as well as a cup holder set for children that can be attached to strollers, are also available. There is also the option of purchasing the Britax B-AGILE Child Tray, a useful accessory to match the cup holders and to ensure storage and eating opportunities for your child while on the go.

Regardless of the accessories, however, it is clear to see that Britax USA stops at no cost to ensure the safety of children. With such devotion and care for consumers, it’s no wonder that parents purchase these products with not so much the cost involved in mind, but the equal care and concern for the safety and well-being of future generations: http://www.britaxusa.com/   

The post Britax USA: A Compassionate Company in Child Seat Safety appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

As a seasoned traveler, Daddy Nickell knows how stressful it can be to voyage with small children. Don’t get caught up in the stress this year, follow these tried and true tips for ensuring easy travel with your kids for Spring Break, summer and beyond.

Whether you’re flying or driving to your vacation destination, here are a few reminders to help you and your children get where you’re going smoothly and happily – so your vacation can be a little more relaxing.

Preparations Are Key: Make sure your family knows of this year’s travel and vacation plans well in advance so they are able to collect their favorite movies, download their favorite music and pack up their favorite stuffed animals. Your itinerary should be solidly planned out with a little extra room for hiccups and delays. If you’re driving, purchase a road atlas for your car, print out directions from Google Maps, or program and update your GPS system. Be as prepared as possible, and your travel time may just be a little more enjoyable.

Packing: When it comes to packing it’s all about being organized. And, as it turns out, one of the more difficult activities when traveling is packing in an organized fashion. You will need to decide how many suitcases you’ll be packing and who will be responsible for what bags or belongings. Don’t wait until the last minute to pack, start early. Remember to pack up a bag full of snacks and goodies to have on-hand during your travels. Whether on a plane or in a car, getting into baggage once the journey’s begun might not be a viable option. We also stick a pair of pajamas in our on-hand bag. Most of the time, our traveling stretches into the night; changing from day clothes into pajamas while traveling at night helps kids feel more comfortable.

Entertainment: Chances are your child is going to get bored and burnt-out while traveling, so, as the parent, it’s your responsibility to have a handful of tricks up your sleeve. Toys, puzzles, games and books are great sources of entertainment on the go. Stick a few surprises in your on-hand travel bag so that you can head-off your fidgety child before boredom turns into a meltdown. When you’re driving during daylight, you and your child can watch license plates, keep track of the different colors of cars you pass or listen to a book on tape. When in the airplane, booklets of mazes and coloring books can be extremely helpful when it comes to keeping kids entertained. It doesn’t hurt to have a favorite movie on your iPod or portable DVD player to pop on when your child gets sleepy.

Keep in Mind: Your kids are going to be exhausted from traveling, so allow them ample time to rest. More than likely, you will be having more activity than a typical day at home would consist of, so keep a close eye on your children to see when they’ve had enough. Traveling can put stress on our bodies and immune systems, so make sure you all drink lots of water and try to eat healthy. Remember you’re on vacation with your children. Plan out some special, kid-friendly activities you know they’ll love and enjoy!

Make sure you explain everything to your children in advance so there are no surprises upon stepping onto an airplane for the first time or visiting someplace new. Your child will feel more comfortable, safe and secure if they know what to expect in advance. Remember to be flexible and have a little fun – nothing ever goes quite according to plan, so be prepared for a few minor hiccups and roll with the punches.

Safe travels!

Sincerely,

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 6, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gear for dads, and the Daddyscrubs.com blog where he covers topics about parenting and the latest baby and kids gear, all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post Traveling with Kids appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.