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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be a bit worried?

17 replies

ConnieLingus · 09/05/2007 14:09

MIL is planning to take DS away for late May bank holiday, Fri-Mon. No cost to us. Brilliant! He loves his nana and will have a great time

BUT....she's planning on taking DS, his 8yr old cousin, her friend and her friend's 2 small children too....in the back of a Daewoo Matiz

Now...am I being unreasonable in worrying that the car is too small to take 4 children under 10 and 2 adults, plus luggage???

There's no way we could go with them to ease the overcrowding in the car either.

OP posts:
Stigaloid · 09/05/2007 14:11

Ask her how she is going to fit all the children in the back when they all have to sit on booster seats? Are there enough seatbelts and seats? if not - she may have to re-think he travel plans.

YANBU

LittleEgg · 09/05/2007 14:12

Sounds impossible unless they don't have car seats / booster seats for the kids. Could just about manage three kids in the back, but not four (don't know the Matiz but don't think it is large). We used to squeeze tons of us in when we were small, but we didn't even need seatbelts then...

lulumama · 09/05/2007 14:14

if they are not all in proper sears with boosters/ car seats and proper restraints ,then not a chance in hell i would let my children go in the car

YANBU

Original poster
ConnieLingus · 09/05/2007 14:17

I know for a fact DS will be in HIS car seat, beacuse we'd lend her ours. It's the other 3 I'm worried about. The Matiz is like a Barbie car. It's teeny.

OP posts:
hannahsaunt · 09/05/2007 14:19

AFAIK cars are only insured when carrying up to the number of passengers for whom there are seatbelts so a car with 5 belts will only be insured if not carrying more than 5 passengers. If the Matiz has 6 belts (and space for boosters) then fine, otherwise YANBU.

anniebear · 09/05/2007 14:20

even if your child is in a seat he won't be safe as the others won't be strapped in

I wouldn't let mine go

Stigaloid · 09/05/2007 14:21

They have to be in booster seats - it's the law. Maybe you should remind her of that?

Or possibly ask her if they are going in 2 cars?

JodieG1 · 09/05/2007 14:25

I have a thing about car seats. I wouldn't let my child go and would remind her how dangerous and irresposible it is to have children in a car without being strapped in properly. Assuming that's what her plans are. My in-laws bought a second hand car seat for her daughter's children (they live in Holland but bring the kids over now and again) from a car boot sale. When they told me I was , they were pleased they'd gotten a bargain . I emailed them links about the safefy issues with second hand car seats and not knowing the history, even if they look ok they could be damaged if they'd been in a crash. They never replied to that part of my mail so I assume they ignored it but god forbid they're ever in a crash and something happens because of a manky old car seat

EllieKthePA · 09/05/2007 14:25

no way would my child be going if it meant the law being broken.

ChocolateFace · 09/05/2007 14:27

I am always very firm on things like this. I just wouldnt' let him go.

Original poster
ConnieLingus · 09/05/2007 14:29

Hmmm. I'll talk to her on Friday when we're going to see her for the day. DH is also worried so if we 'tag team' her telling her its A) illegal and B) dangerous she might make other plans

OP posts:
casbie · 09/05/2007 14:41

ask her if she's going to hire a car to keep all the kiddies safe in?!

Bamzooki · 09/05/2007 14:50

Perhaps she simply hasn't thought to have head count and realise that a 5 seater is simply not big enough for 6 people, esp with luggage, cos we all know that the smaller the person is, the greater the luggage that goes with them!

ChocolateFace · 10/05/2007 10:49

Could you offer to pay towards the cost of hiring a car, or could you swap cars with her for a week?

kookaburra · 10/05/2007 11:06

We have this type of battle with my parents. Had to INSIST that my mother wear a seatbelt (sitting in the back had to go in middle as two car seas on outside, and the middle belt was uncomfortable as she is 'generously proportioned'). Showed her those pics of people killing front passengers by the extra g-force.
If in doubt, don't let him go, as you will worry all weekend otherwise. Even if hse consideres herself a safe driver ( who doesn't) what about the moron behind her (the argument I use with my dad)

BTW - what does YANBU mean?

Stigaloid · 10/05/2007 11:09

Kookaburra

YANBU = You are not being unreasonable

scotswyf · 10/05/2007 11:20

I have a Matiz and there is no way all those people can fit in that car. I only have one child seat, but i would say there is only room for three boosters, maximum.
No way... you are definitely not being unreasonable.

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