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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried about taxi/car seat situ

20 replies

Dickoncrutches · 23/08/2016 22:27

Namechanged because this is so outing.

Okay so I am a single parent to a 4yo DS & I broke my ankle on Sunday & ruptured my Achilles' tendon. (Spectacular fail trying to avoid the kitten on the stairs).

I normally drive DS to nursery but obviously I am not going to be driving for a while!

I'm struggling with DS being at home through the day, my arms & hands are bruised from using the crutches & I'm in a cast. He's complaining it's boring being at home because I can't do anything so I figured I could take him to nursery in a taxi & get a taxi back (hopefully a member of staff would be able to meet me at the door)

I rang a taxi company today to ask about car seats & they said they don't have any. So I asked what they would suggest. They said DS to go on the normal seat with an adult seat belt.

I also had DS's car seat fitted professionally into my car and don't know if I could fit it into another car quickly/properly.

I feel so uncomfortable about this but the constant up/down with a 4yo is making this so hard, plus the painkillers are making me drowsy.

AIBU to take DS to nursery & back without a proper car seat?

OP posts:
OwlinaTree · 23/08/2016 22:30

Where are you driving? To get to my ds's nursery we don't drive over 30mph, so I would be less worried about a 4yo sitting on a cushion with the adult strap round him. If I had to drive at 70 I wouldn't want to do it.

ArgyMargy · 23/08/2016 22:30

Yes, YABU and illegal. A child must be properly restrained in a car seat appropriate for height and weight.

superram · 23/08/2016 22:32

A 4 yo should be on at least a high back booster which you can get for £30 from Amazon, or even just a normal booster for this short journey.

TheHubblesWindscreenWipers · 23/08/2016 22:33

I wouldn't, personally.
try other taxi companies? Anyone who'd lift share with you? If you're going to be shelling out that much on cans would it be worth buying a cheaper car seat (they all have to meet safety standards) that's easy to fit? If you're going regularly then many taxi companies would do you a deal...

PotteringAlong · 23/08/2016 22:34

Just buy a high back booster and use that?

Twingo78 · 23/08/2016 22:35

It's actually legal for a child to travel in a taxi without being in a car seat:

www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/when-a-child-can-travel-without-a-car-seat

How far away is nursery? Could anyone else drive/walk him there?

Eeeek686 · 23/08/2016 22:38

Try another company - although most don't we do have a couple of firms locally that have child seats available so chances are you do too.

It isn't actually illegal to not use a seat on public transport but I certainly wouldn't be happy risking it.

Original poster
Dickoncrutches · 23/08/2016 22:38

I wrote a long post replying but deleted it!

Yes I've already checked & it's technically not illegal. I didn't know if a high back booster would be suitable for a 4yo?

The journey is on 30 & 20mph roads & less than ten minutes. He's just so precious!

OP posts:
doleritedinosaur · 23/08/2016 22:38

It's not illegal for a child to not be in a car seat in a taxi.

The few times I've had to get one with DS when he was a lot younger he was in a sling attached me with belt on but the drivers always said they get people just holding babies as they go in residential areas not fast.

You could ring a few companies to see if any have car seats.

MigGril · 23/08/2016 22:38

It's not illegal for taxis they are the exception to the law in afraid. Although I don't see why they couldn't make an effort to carry booster seats.

Is he big enough for a booster cushions (check weight limits) you could get a cheap one and leave it at nursery while he is there.

Leonas · 23/08/2016 22:38

It isn't illegal to take a child in a taxi without a car seat as they are exempt - it isn't possible for them to carry car seats to meet all the different ages/ sizes. I did it a couple of times when our car was off the road and I was too pregnant to walk my DD to nursery and get to work on time. It isn't ideal but it was a short journey. If it is your only option I would do it as long as it isn't a lengthy journey x

AppleMagic · 23/08/2016 22:40

I would be totally fine with this without a car seat for a short journey.

Otherwise I agree, just get a hbb booster. They don't really need fitting at all, your ds weight holds it in place, it just makes the seatbelt better positioned.

Etak15 · 23/08/2016 22:41

It's not illegal you don't need a car seat in a taxi www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/when-a-child-can-travel-without-a-car-seat
If you do feel that you should use one just use the one you've got, they are only strapped in by the seat belt shouldn't be difficult for it to come in and out. (Might be difficult for you with your crutches though)

Original poster
Dickoncrutches · 23/08/2016 22:43

Really outing but unfortunately DS's dad left me when I was pregnant & I haven't seen him since. My parents both work full time & don't drive so it would really make them go out of their way. My friend has been over to help me wash my hair & prepare packed lunches for us but she goes abroad tomorrow.

He's 15.5kg so just in the age range for the booster seat. I may order one off Amazon as I'm not getting out anywhere.

So annoyed at myself for being accident prone!

OP posts:
MyFriendsCallMeOh · 23/08/2016 22:43

I would get a bubblebum booster seat, they deflate and you can stick them in a bag, we take one everywhere on holidays and in ubers for dd2. You'll get a lot of use from one.

Nanny0gg · 23/08/2016 22:44

Ring round and try Private Hire as well as taxis.

Someone's bound to have one.

DoublyTroubly · 23/08/2016 22:52

Just because it's not illegal doesn't mean your son would be any safer in a crash! I would definitely see if someone could get a high backed booster for you or order one to be delivered asap (kiddicare do next day delivery) x

Tootsiepops · 23/08/2016 22:55

When my friend came to visit with her 4 y/o, she ordered this and had it delivered to my house. £6.99 - job done.

www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/3760244.htm

Original poster
Dickoncrutches · 23/08/2016 22:55

This is why I'm so torn, he's so precious & if anything happened because I took a "chance" I'd never forgive myself. Similarly, I know I'm not up to looking after him 24/7 right now because I can only stand for a few seconds on crutches & am so tired from painkillers!

I have ordered a high backed booster seat from Amazon to come tomorrow (love Amazon Prime). I didn't realise he was now the right weight for one.

Thank you for your help everyone.

OP posts:
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