Trick of the Trade: CARES Safety Harness

Nothing dampens a good old-fashioned case of wanderlust quicker than dashing through an airport to make a connection with a huge, bulky car seat. It's not only completely unfun to carry your kids car seat around; it's nearly impossible to maneuver the seat, the stroller and carry on luggage (oh, and the kid!), especially when you're traveling solo.

Although it's mighty tempting to go au naturale, that nagging voice in the back thinks that airplane lap belt just might be up to snuff in the event of any significant turbulence. That's why I really like the FAA-certified CARES safety harness which is designed specifically for aviation use for children age 1 and older who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds.

The Toddler is super squirmy so I have to admit he did fuss a bit when we first used it on a flight from Newark to Orlando. However, it's not like he's a big fan of the car seat either. And, the CARES has the added advantage of being a lot lighter than a car seat (just one pound!) so it definitely doesn't make Mom and Dad as cranky!

Order your CARES safety harness by clicking on the Amazon link in the right hand column.