Here’s an idea that could surely be a million-dollar concept; design a child car seat that’s grandparent friendly. I mean, my grandchildren are my very favorite people in the world, and I love our outings to parks and picnics. Navigating the world of car seats, however, is an issue.

Let’s start with the first problem. Getting the car seat into the car and securing it properly requires the finesse of a yoga instructor with the brute force of a wrestler. You must clasp, clip, pull and lock every fastener in place just so. Let’s just say the necessary poses it takes to do that while straddling the back seat of my car is not an attractive visual. 

Once those little leveler balls indicate the seat is properly placed, then you need to secure the child. A few weeks ago, I went to Columbus to spend the day with two of my grandkids. Natalie is almost 4 and very capable securing herself. She climbs in, buckles the correct connections, and even knows how to tighten the straps all within a 2-verse rendition of a Ms. Rachel song. 

Natalie’s little brother is Elliot. Let me just say, at 17-months-old, Elliot is a solid little boy.  You could envision him as a miniature version of an Ohio State Buckeye football lineman (or a Michigan Wolverine if his mom has any say). Although there’s still time to determine Elliot’s path with regards to football or not, the fact is that right now, he’s a big boy. Lifting him up and into a car seat is a herculean effort. Bending down to encircle him with my arms, I have to do one of those guttural sounds you hear from the sumo lifters as they bend into a deep squat before raising Olympic-worthy weights. Once Elliot is in the car seat, I need to secure him in the straps so that the shoulder straps are aligned just inside the shoulders. To do this, I need to find the harness adjuster button which is buried deep within the abyss of the padding located at the base of the seat. It’s a blind search, one that requires a prayer to the patron saint of car seats. Once found, I need to press with my thumb firmly enough to loosen the harness straps. Don’t these car seat engineers consider arthritis? Imagine me spewing a few choice words into my “on the spot” rendition of “Itsy Bitsy Spider” as I get everything just right. Let’s just say the spider wasn’t so itsy or bitsy. My only saving grace was the fact that Elliot delightfully smiled his way through the whole adjustment ordeal which took more time than we spent at the park.

Please, don’t even get me started on those infant car seats that must be lined with lead. Carrying them farther than the width of my driveway is just not going to happen. And one last thought. I know there are many, many grandparents out there who share my sentiments on car seat challenges. I know that because car seat issues are a universal conversation starter with any grandparent I meet along the way. Believe me, I’m not the only one with sweat rags on hand whenever a car seat is involved. 

Regardless of my complaints regarding the necessity for such complicated car seats, there is no question. I’ll choose the fortress of a car seat always if that means I get to whisk my grandchildren away for some special Nona time. Someday they’ll all be grown and will probably have to drive me around. I just hope we still have as much fun, and I can still buckle myself without their help.