Detailed Summary of "CAR SEAT PET PEEVES w/ MAMA KNOWS CAR SEATS" Episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Release Date: March 13, 2025

Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:47 - 04:14)

In this episode titled "CAR SEAT PET PEEVES w/ MAMA KNOWS CAR SEATS," hosts Kelly Stumpe and Liz St. John welcome their special guest, Sam, known as "Mama Knows Car Seats" from Instagram. Kelly introduces Sam as a highly talented Certified Pediatric Seating Specialist (CPSS) who has been integral to the Car Mom team, handling all car seat installations for their Car Mom Auto Show over the past year.

Notable Quotes:

• [02:14] Kelly: "Sam is one of the most talented CPSDs I know. ... she's just a girl that gets it."
• [02:37] Liz: "She felt like another sister there."

Building the Car Mom Team (04:14 - 07:29)

Kelly and Liz discuss their growing collaboration with Sam, highlighting how seamlessly she integrated into their team. They reminisce about their first experience together at the New York Auto Show, where Sam's calm and friendly demeanor made her feel like part of the family from the outset.

Notable Quotes:

• [04:25] Liz: "Sam is such a calm presence and down to earth."
• [04:49] Sam: "Coming into this group of sisters who are besties was smooth."

Sam’s Life Updates and Vehicle Insights (07:29 - 12:20)

Sam shares significant personal updates, including her impending addition to the family with a new baby on the way. She discusses her current vehicle, a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, praising its car seat tilt feature which is crucial for accommodating three children in car seats. Additionally, Sam mentions her plans to add a roof cargo carrier to manage the increased storage needs as her family grows.

Notable Quotes:

• [05:36] Sam: "We are expecting a baby next month."
• [06:03] Sam: "I absolutely love this vehicle. Truly, my fave."

Addressing Car Seat Challenges and Pet Peeves (13:33 - 21:00)

The core of the episode revolves around the trio discussing their biggest frustrations with car seat installations and vehicle designs. Key issues include:

• Non-Removable Head Restraints: Sam emphasizes the difficulty non-removable headrests pose in securing car seats correctly.

  [12:01] Sam: "Once your seat is forward-facing, non-removable headrests can interfere with car seat installation."

• Poor Placement of Lower Anchors: Kelly expresses frustration over vehicles lacking or poorly placing lower anchors and tether anchors, making car seat installation challenging.

  [15:02] Sam: "The vehicle manufacturers have more flexibility and budget to work with here."

• Limited Door Opening Angles: Liz shares her struggle with doors not opening wide enough to install car seats, leading to practical inconveniences like mud on car doors.

  [10:45] Kelly: "I hate when people are like, oh, you know, so and so doesn't have ceiling vents because of the panoramic sunroof."

The discussion underscores the need for vehicle manufacturers to prioritize family-friendly features in car designs.

Notable Quotes:

• [13:33] Kelly: "It's just, what is the hold up?"
• [15:18] Kelly: "It's just so silly."
• [17:00] Sam: "Petition lower anchors and top tether that line up with the seat belt in every actual seating position, please."

Advice Segment: Listener Questions Answered (21:00 - 34:09)

Kelly, Liz, and Sam move into their advice segment, addressing specific listener queries:

1. Rotating Car Seats for Multiple Children:

   • Jen's Question: Considering a rotating car seat to accommodate a tall 4-year-old and a 9-month-old in a BMW 3 Series sedan.

   • Sam's Response: Recommends the Cybex Collection Callisto G360 for its high harness height and compatibility with taller children. Emphasizes measuring torso height to ensure proper fit.

   [22:10] Sam: "One seat makes lots of sense. The Can be a great hack."

2. High Back Booster Seat Challenges:

   • Listener's Issue: Difficulty buckling a 6-year-old in the high back booster seat of a Hyundai Palisade.

   • Sam's Suggestions: Advises against using seatbelt extenders due to safety risks. Recommends practicing buckling, leaving the booster seat buckled while shimmying in and out, or trying different booster seat models like those without armrests.

   [25:08] Sam: "Seatbelt extenders definitely not safe to use."

3. Transitioning Out of Car Seats:

   • Liz's Question: Determining whether to transition a child out of a car seat based on height, weight, or age.

   • Sam's Response: Advises transitioning when a child meets the height, weight, or age requirement first, rather than waiting for all milestones.

   [28:14] Sam: "Whichever one comes first."

Notable Quotes:

• [22:10] Sam: "A newer rotating seat like the Cybex Collection Callisto G360 can accommodate taller kids longer."
• [26:45] Kelly: "Sometimes the answer is just, yeah, that's hard."

Introducing "Chat with the CPST" Service (34:09 - 35:27)

Kelly and Sam announce a new service named "Chat with the CPST" available on thecarmom.com. This service allows parents to email Sam directly with personalized car seat questions, ensuring they receive expert advice tailored to their family's specific needs. The goal is to help families make informed decisions without unnecessary expenses on unsuitable car seats or vehicles.

Notable Quotes:

• [31:48] Liz: "You can ask her any number of questions."
• [32:17] Sam: "I'm here to help with both vehicle-specific solutions and general car seat questions."

Closing Segment and Recipe Sharing (35:27 - 42:36)

The episode concludes with a lighthearted segment where Sam shares her "Ditch the Drive Thru" breakfast frittata recipe. This recipe is designed for busy mornings, allowing parents to prepare a nutritious and quick breakfast in advance. The hosts humorously discuss the recipe's simplicity and versatility, tying it back to their hectic lives as parents.

Notable Quotes:

• [35:40] Sam: "This is a breakfast ditch the drive thru because mornings are hard for me."
• [36:50] Liz: "I never want to combine all of those seasonings myself."

Conclusion

Kelly and Liz thank Sam for her invaluable insights and participation, encouraging listeners to utilize the "Chat with the CPST" service for all their car seat needs. They wrap up the episode with reminders to subscribe to the podcast and share it with friends and family, emphasizing that there's always room in the car for everyone.

Notable Quotes:

• [42:10] Liz: "If you want your car seat questions answered, go to thecarmom.com and check out chat with a CPST."
• [42:35] Kelly: "Thank you for listening to the carpool podcast with Kelly and Liz."

Key Takeaways:

• Expert Collaboration: Bringing in Sam provides listeners with professional insights into car seat safety and vehicle compatibility.

• Common Frustrations: The episode highlights significant issues parents face with car seat installations, urging manufacturers to adopt more family-friendly designs.

• Practical Solutions: Through the advice segment, listeners receive actionable solutions to common car seat challenges.

• Community Support: The introduction of "Chat with the CPST" fosters a supportive community where parents can seek personalized assistance.

This episode effectively blends expert advice, personal anecdotes, and community-building initiatives to address the intricate challenges of managing car seats for growing families.