Driving - is it essential if you have kids?

[34withquestions]

Hi - looking to start a family but have had a mixed reaction to driving . I don’t drive have been trying it but not enjoying at all. My OH doesn’t drive either. Been told by many I need to drive if I want kids. Can anybody back this up as being true?

The two occasions when driving really became crucial in my lifetime were surrounding the deaths of my MIL and then later my dad. With my MIL we received a phone call late on Friday and were told to get to the hospital as soon as possible - it was a five hour drive. I just can’t imagine how that would have been arranged by public transport given the shock of the news. With my dad he suffered a collapse and was hospitalised 25 miles away from his house. We were all driving backwards and forwards for a week while he died. So these are the things I think about... someone needs you to be there quickly, for example your child is hospitalised and you are not with them. Get a cab?? Ok I guess but I promise you those will be long, long anxious moments relying on someone else.

although if your child has been hospitalised and you're understandably panicked you would actually be much safer in a cab. Plus assuming you live in a city and therefore won't have to wait long for a cab the time you lose in waiting would likely be offset by the fact you won't have to faff around finding somewhere to park at the other end

I actually think more people could do with recognising that they are not good at driving.

There are a few people I know who drive because they must; we live rurally so it's necessary

With two of them it's a matter of time before their anxiety and panic causes an accident.

Of course you don’t need a car to have kids but as others have said it makes life easier. However I didn’t have access to a car when my kids and walked everywhere a habit that all of mine have continued when they can despite all driving. So it’s getting a happy balance.

Of course you don't need to drive. People had children long before cars were invented. We live within walking distance of every place the kids would ever need to go to. Besides, I'm saving the planet by walking/not driving.

We have two under 4 and don't have a car. It's fine. Actually I find it more stressful driving the kids than taking them on public transport - I think it's what you get used to. I hate not being able to interact with them in the car.

That said, we do both have licences and I think it is handy, particularly for holidays and days out, to be able to rent a car.

It is really hard to find time to do this sort of thing when you have kids so I would try really hard to get your license first but I wouldn't not TTC because of it!

I recommend, once you're past the infant car seat stage, the urban kanga seat for taxis etc.