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Original poster

To be up to here with older generation's attitude to car seats

60 replies

comoatoupeira · 13/07/2024 21:12

It's this time of year again, it's the Summer holidays, and they're at it again about the car seats.
My youngest is only 11 months and they're trying to get us to put her front facing (the legs...). I reminded them we talked about that 4 years ago with the eldest (and they've been front facing since age 2, hardly radical, actually against advice).
Loosening the straps (a lot, you could get a teddy bear between them and the straps) on the 5 year old's because she says it's too tight, then driving for 5 hours on the motorway like that.
When the 5 year old gets cross because she gets tangled up getting out, muttering (not quietly, so I can hear): 'yes I know, these car seats are so stupid and unnecessary, we are living in anxious times'.
I'm just ... why? They know driving a car is the most dangerous thing we do. They've all (my parents and my in-laws) had car crashes at some point in their lives, one still has physio because of it. We know someone who's child's life was changed forever because of a car accident.
Why can't they just take it bloody seriously? What are they actually trying to achieve? What do they get out of endangering the safety of my children?
Please rant with me. Thank you.

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 13/07/2024 21:21

You’re very ageist.

I’d never put my DGS in danger in his car seat just like I didn’t with my own children. If DS2 & DDIL told me he had to go in his car seat until he’s 25 then he would. That baby is as precious to me as my own children. Don’t tar us all with the same brush.

Theunamedcat · 13/07/2024 21:21

My mother brags how I was MOT in the back of her car in my carry cot I'm not sure if she genuinely forgot I was there or just didn't want to wake me

Anyway we were involved in a big car accident when we were under 10 the next car we bought actually had seatbelts in the back and "safety features" when she had a grandchild she bought the best car seat she could afford for her car if extended rear facing existed with DD bet your ass she would have jumped on that bandwagon

Not all old people are careless with safety

Anyone can be a dick my response to anyone compromising my child's safety would be told you don't get my child then (I've told their own father no seat no son before now)

My son is 11 because of his height and weight he is still in a seat

Original poster
comoatoupeira · 13/07/2024 21:21

saraclara · 13/07/2024 21:19

Blame your parents, not their generation.

We were really cautious about car seat safety when our kids were born in the late '80s. And I'm almost more paranoid with my grandkids, because not only am I fiercely protective because I love them so much, but it feels like a huge responsibility as they're not my children. Having to tell their parents that they've come to harm in my care is something I can't bear to think about.

Edited

Thanks. You're right.

OP posts:
Original poster
comoatoupeira · 13/07/2024 21:20

LittleRedY0shi · 13/07/2024 21:17

Same here! You missed one, albeit not a summer one - "But they'll be cold if they're not wearing their big puffy coat whilst in the car seat"

yup that's the Christmas holiday one isn't it. Had that in December.
"I put X in their coat already so they're all ready for the walk when we get out."
"Actually it's not safe to wear a coat in the car seat because the straps and the seat don't fit the kid any longer so on impact it won't protect them properly."
(SILENCE from all assembled, who look at you like you are completely insane).

OP posts:
Walkingtheplank · 13/07/2024 21:20

At least they're using car seats. My parents put my toddler in the boot of their estate car. They couldn't see the problem.

saraclara · 13/07/2024 21:19

Blame your parents, not their generation.

We were really cautious about car seat safety when our kids were born in the late '80s. And I'm almost more paranoid with my grandkids, because not only am I fiercely protective because I love them so much, but it feels like a huge responsibility as they're not my children. Having to tell their parents that they've come to harm in my care is something I can't bear to think about.

LittleRedY0shi · 13/07/2024 21:17

Same here! You missed one, albeit not a summer one - "But they'll be cold if they're not wearing their big puffy coat whilst in the car seat"

pinksquash13 · 13/07/2024 21:17

Yes yes absolutely. My dad worked in car insurance and wouldn't let me drive til I was 21 due to danger of cars but rear facing is inconvenient for him so he won't listen to my safety concerns.

BIWI · 13/07/2024 21:16

Well of course she will be called ageist! She has a parent problem. And it's very ageist to assume that everyone the same age as her parents would be as cavalier with their GC safety like this.

I'm guessing I must the same age as the OP's parents, and I can assure you that back in the day when our DC were born (early 1990s), we took car and car seat safety very seriously.

PunchyLunchy · 13/07/2024 21:13

You’re about to be called ageist, get ready…