Carseat Installation

I understand carseat installation is a difficult procedure even in ideal condititons.

Monday afternoon, after an hour of futile investigation, I discovered our 2001 VW Passat isn't equiped with new LATCH safety system as I was led to believe. LATCH makes it much easier to install carseats by providing standard connection points that are bolted to the car frame. Simply connect the carseat to LATCH using the provided tethers and calipers, tighten, and you're done. No LATCH meant using the old-fashioned seat belt approach.

Unfortunately, I didn't get back to installing the carseats until earlier this morning. In the hospital parking lot. Add the pressure of insuring our children's safety to the anticipation of finally taking the twins home, and you get a frantic hourlong blitzkrieg. Me against the carseats. Me against the instruction manuals (VW's and the carsear manufacturer's -- which often conflicted). I emerged victorous and sweaty with an hour or so to spare.