To not pay for friend's taxi?

[GambaJoe]

Best friend and I have been very excited to go to a mutual friend of ours wedding for some time.

Beat friend has recently had a baby so is excited to let her hair down and show off her baby.

I've recently learned to drive and have my license. I am still a nervous driver and friend is now assuming that I'll be driving her and baby to wedding.

The thing is: I don't want a baby in my car. I don't feel ready to have that responsibility on my shoulders (not only for a worse case scenario but also crying while driving ect)

Friend is now in a huff and expecting me to pay or contribute to her getting there and getting back home.

WWYD? Drive the baby or help/pay taxi fare

So when you drink wine you're 'OK within the hour'..hmmm seriously? You need to look up more on drinking and driving OP as I'm not sure you're quite getting it and it's worrying to hear this from a self described nervous driver... It sharing a taxi seems a far better idea and I can see why your friend was miffed...

I think sharing a cab is a good idea, not to help your rather entitled friend but if you are that nervous about driving a baby how are you going to be driving in the dark?

I most likely am going to the taxi, it's not worth the trouble with such a close friend.

Maybe sometime soon I'll bring the baby along for the Tesco run to build confidence

Her best friend is an adult and she has in this case to make her own arrangements
Personally I'd say share the cab with mate,have a chat,let someone else drive

I didn't see that she had a partner-why do you take her food shopping?!

I you're going to split the taxi cost, why not just go in the taxi as well? You can then have a couple of drinks & be relaxed.

Save your first "big drive" for another day. Seriously.

Tesco runs are her alone time/ weekly catch up and baby can spend some time alone with baby.

The wise ladies of Mumsnet have convinced me to fork out and take a taxi

That's mad if you are driving anyway. Although, how is this a night out for her if she's taking the baby with her? That doesn't sound like fun at all, for her or anyone else. Is the baby invited to the evening reception?

Does she not see these people very often?

I'm wondering if it's likely that she'll decide not to take her baby afterall?

The dad sounds a bit hopeless if her only me time is going to Tesco and she has to take the baby to a night out!

Why is her Dp not taking her in his car?

Why has she not learned to drive?

How were you planning to get there if you didn't pass your test? Taxi or was your/her Dp taking you.

YANBU

Not my relationship so can't and won't comment on why DP doesn't look after baby more/won't pick her up

Well enjoy the wedding but be cautious about being turned into the go to taxi. She assumed that you would take her and so many people here didnt care about your position so neither will she. Still think some work on buying and fitting an actual baby seat is needed.

But wait. Are you driving yourself but refusing to give her a lift?

If so YABU!!

I think the two of you taking a taxi is a good compromise for the sake of your friendship and also means you can relax drink what you want and not have to be nervous about a unfamiliar drive home in the dark

Personally I would share a taxi with your friend.
I wouldn't want to drive with a baby at the best of times, as a new driver even less so. However, I guarantee if you drive there, even if she takes a taxi up, you will end up driving them both back because of social pressures.
I don't think you should drive with a baby if you're not comfortable as it is entirely your call. However, I really don't think I could leave someone to pay £100 plus.
This should really have been discussed well in advance and I agree she shouldn't have assumed a thing! However, the two potential things to avoid are you driving with the baby, stressed out and something bad happening, or you not driving them and losing a friendship.

Compromise. Share the taxi and split the bill. Then you don't need to worry about alcohol either. If she isn't happy with this plan then she is being entirely unreasonable.

That'll teach me not to read the last page!

It's only a baby not a bomb. Don't be mean.

Both taking a taxi sounds like a good plan.

Thank christ you're taking a taxi. The ridiculous attitude you have to drinking and driving needs some updating OP. A new nervous driver and even contemplating one drink before getting behind the wheel and this is even after you've admitted just how nervous you would be driving. Give. Me. Strength.

Is she happy to go halves on the cab?

YABU. If you're too nervous to drive with a baby in the car, you shouldn't be driving at all.

I wouldn't use this trip as your first long distance journey anyway. Night driving is different and I don't like it at all. I'd do your first long distance trip all in daylight just to build you up bit at a time.

Good! You've decided to get a cab together. Now you can relax and have a couple of drinks at the wedding; instead off stressing all day about the drive home in the dark, with maybe a crying.baby and drink friend. (I've been to a no alcohol wedding; sorry but it was excruciating).