~*~ MOTHERCARE ~ The Company ~*~
Mothercare plc is a British retailer that specifically concentrates in products for mums-to-be and goods for children up to the age of 8 years old.
The Company was founded in 1961 by Selim Zilkha, the son of a prominent Iraqi banker, birth place Baghdad and raised in Lebanon, Egypt and the US. Selim worked in the family firm Zilkha & Sons from 1947. But after his father's death in 1956, Zilkha left the family banking business and started Mothercare, initially named W.J. Harris. Then in '81, Zilkha sold his interest in the company, a year later invested $28 million in Towner Petroleum, by '98 selling this investment for $1 billion. A rich but generous man, donating $20 million to the Neurogenetic Institute in LA, among other charitable pursuits. Along with his son, Michael, Zilkha is still involved in alternative energy through their company Zilkha Biomass Energy.
Over the decades, Mothercare plc has experienced many changes by way of mergers and so forth. It remains a successful company recognized for their quality goods.
~*~ REASON FOR PURCHASE AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ~ Via My Grand-son!
I'd like to take the opportunity to say at this point that the booster seat is for my daughter's car. As a hands-on grand-parent, and at my daughter's request, I have much to do with assisting in choices of purchase, applying and maintaining products for my grand-children.
My daughter wanted to keep the children safe when travelling in the car. The booster seat is only applicable for my oldest grand-son, as the other two grand-tots are still in infant car seats.
AGE/WEIGHT
The booster seat is appropriate for weight of 15kg (33lbs) to 36kg (79lbs) which is approximately ages 4 to 11yrs. My oldest grand-son, whose weight and size is in the average guidelines of calculation, fits perfectly in the mid-range chart for this booster seat.
DESIGN FEATURES ~ WIDTH
The extra wide seat accommodates average weight older children well. On the initial test drive of this seat, my grand-son rushed to the array of booster seats on offer in the store, wriggling around to adopt the most comfortable position! We pointed out the seats that were being considered, and my grand-son sat in each, very happy to give his 'expert' opinion. The roominess of this seat won hands down as my grand-son, as most young tots, dislike being restricted in their movements, even if it is for their safety.
SEAT
The next reason why this particular seat won applause by both young consumer, Mummy and Nanny was the padded seat. Only my grand-son can truly experience how comfortable this feels but by pressing down, the cushiony bounce feels most adequate for even long journeys. My grand-son confirmed this conclusion by enthusiastically bouncing on the seat with his rear and alternating with knees, much to the quizzical look of the shop assistant!
ARMREST
But oddly enough, it was the sturdy armrests that delighted our little test driver the most. He loved the feeling of being a 'grown-up' with this feature.
The armrest can double up as a ledge to rest wide books and trays to draw on. But to the frustration of my grand-son, due to the curvature of the armrest, with a rounded but pointed top, it isn't as useful as it could be. Although my grand-son notes that these rest represent 'his space' in the car, and his siblings are not to 'invade it', where do they get these expressions from?!
COVER
The booster seat comes with a removable hand-washable cover. The seating area and armrest hand area is in a practical black with white trim. Whilst the base front, back seating area and armrest ledge is in a charcoal grey with white trim. The black areas of the textile cover is excellent as it tends to obscure what would otherwise be noticeable marks and blemishes from foods and crayons etc., The cover can be easily be removed, then laundered in a 40% machine cycle. As the cover is small and well spun in the laundry wash, my daughter leaves the cover to dry naturally. No ironing is required and the cover comes up looking clean with vibrant colours when washed with laundry tabs/liquid for colours and conditioner to retain the soft consistency. The moulded hardened plastic seat without its cover can be washed clean using a soft cloth and warm soapy water, and then dried with a towel.
FITTING
Both my daughter and I Installed the seat, ensuring the booster is free of any objects underneath it, according to the Mothercare manufacturer's instructions. My daughter has placed the booster on the rear seat of the vehicle. Although Mothercare offer a free safe fit service in selected stores, we felt that this is a straightforward seat, unlike infant chairs, to place in the car. There are belt guide positions and fitting advice explained in an uncomplicated manner in the manufacturer's notes included with the packaging. The seat affords good positioning of the vehicle's safety belts thereby furnishing comfortable safe harnessing of the child. Once my grand-son is seated comfortably, the car's safety belt is tightened as much as appropriate in minimising * forward and sideways movement.
Although the grand-children do not sit in the front seat of the vehicle, it needs to be remembered that if one chooses to place a child in this area of the car, deactivation of the passenger seat airbag must be applied beforehand.
DURABILITY
The booster seat has been in operation for over six months, used in daily journeys both short and long distances. As yet there is no wear on the cover apart from irremovable stains from marker pens! The seat base and armrest has no marks, scratches or wear, even although the seat has been put 'through its paces'!
STABILITY
Although this seat is light-weight, once placed in the chosen position with the child seated, it adheres to the vehicle seating area. The seat remains balanced, steady and supportive throughout the journey, *despite the movement of my grand-son reaching for an object nearby.
~*~ NEGATIVES ~*~
Booster seats/cushions are not as safe as child seats with full length back which provide extra protection although they satisfy the legal requirement for children up to the height of 4ft 6in.
As regards the armrest, their design isn't as ergonomically designed as they could have been! The rest would have been far more comfortable and useful if flatter and even.
The booster seat has no added features such as cup holders or mesh bags for activity toys.
~*~ PRICE ~*~
We purchased this booster dream seat direct from the Mothercare store for £24.99 but it is currently on offer for £19.99.
~*~ Would I recommend it? ~*~
YES
As a safe seat for children in the approximate guidelines. But ensuring all safety fitting procedures are followed.
NO
AS Booster seats are not as safe as child seats with full length back. Therefore, dropping a star of the rating!
~*~ SUPPLIMENTARY MATERIAL ~*~
If you do not wish your own Inspector Clouseau announcing, "I arrest you all in the name of the leahw", please ensure the following!
A NEW LAW came into force on 18th September 2006 involving child car seats. As noted on the BBC news website Monday, 28 August 2006:
"All children under the age of 12 will have to use some form of child car seat, unless they are taller than 135cm (4ft 5in). This means many British families will be obliged to buy new car seats or booster cushions for their children... All children under 135cm (4ft 5in) tall, unless they have passed their 12th birthday, must use a child seat appropriate for their weight".
The post continues:
HOW DO YOU FIND OUT WHAT KIND OF SEAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR CHILD?
Weigh your child and ask a shop assistant, or use the following guide:
- up to 13kg (2st 1lb) - a rear-facing baby seat
- 9kg to 18kg (1st 6lb - 2st 12lb) - a forward-facing child seat
- 15kg to 25kg (2st 5lb - 3st 13lb) - a booster seat
- 22kg (3st 6lb) or above - a booster cushion, or modern booster seat designed for larger children
WHO WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR VIOLATIONS?
The driver is responsible for violations by passengers under the age of 14 (except in taxis with fixed partitions). Police can impose a £30 fixed penalty, but the maximum fine is £500 if it goes to court.
WHY ARE THE RULES CHANGING?
The government says that surveys show three quarters of children are wearing adult seat belts before they are tall enough to do so safely. In other words, the belt could hurt their neck or their internal organs if the car stops suddenly. Or they could slide underneath it".
"Are You Sitting Comfortably Then I'll Begin"! } Booster Seat 
excellent I like the way it is set out in relevant sections