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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to take young children in a taxi?

46 replies

Piewife · 02/01/2019 23:14

We're planning a short break and will need to travel by train. Our two DCs will be aged 4 and 10 months. DH has said we should get a taxi to the train station (about a 10 minute drive) but I really don't feel comfortable with the children being in a taxi without their car seats, particularly the baby as too young to even wear a seatbelt.

Taking the baby in his infant seat isn't an option as too heavy and almost outgrown now.

There's nowhere decent to park at the station and I wouldn't want to leave my car unattended there for a few days anyway.

Any ideas or experience??

OP posts:
NewIdeasToday · 02/01/2019 23:15

Don’t overthink it. Just go in the taxi!

userschmoozer · 02/01/2019 23:15

You can often book a minicab with child seats, if thats any help?

waxy1 · 02/01/2019 23:16

Yes.

MummySharkBabyShark · 02/01/2019 23:17

You walk with the children and DH take the luggage in a taxi?

EdtheBear · 02/01/2019 23:18

I'm another who says don't over think it. It's not like your going 100s of miles. I'd guess the majority of the drive is town driving 30 mph.

Fairylea · 02/01/2019 23:18

I would just go for it. You’re almost as likely to have a crash on the train as in a 10 min taxi journey.

But that’s just the way I’d think anyway!

elvis86 · 02/01/2019 23:19

Fly there on the living room rug? What do you want people to say? 😂😂😂 YABU if you don't want to take a taxi but don't want to leave your car at the station either.

Only things I can think of is a lift from someone who can use your car seat, or a bus? Still no car seats on a bus but maybe you'd feel safer in a bigger vehicle?

Geordiegirl79 · 02/01/2019 23:20

I should think you could book a taxi with child seats...worth ringing around and asking.

Lazypuppy · 02/01/2019 23:21

Do you ever get on a bus? Its no different to a taxi, except on a bus no-one wears a seatbelt

ILoveChristmasLights · 02/01/2019 23:22

Book a taxi with car seats?
Ask a friend or neighbour to take you using your own seats?
Walk?

...stay home.

BendingSpoons · 02/01/2019 23:24

Book a taxi with car seats? This is common. We have done it multiple times.

Birdsgottafly · 02/01/2019 23:24

You are well over thinking it.

Not all children are put into car seats. My Grandchildren never are, when we go on numerous taxi journeys, or even in relative's cars.

In short journeys, travelling at 30 mph or less, the danger is miniscule and a lot less than the risk of crossing a road.

HuntIdeas · 02/01/2019 23:26

Doesn’t the infant seat blue into the buggy? Can you use it that way?

Or you all drive to the station then one adult stays with kids in a cafe whilst the other one drives car back home and gets taxi back again?

potatoscone · 02/01/2019 23:27

Call the taxi company and ask if driver can leave your seat at their office. Arrange to be collected by same company complete with your seat.

elvis86 · 02/01/2019 23:28

"Or you all drive to the station then one adult stays with kids in a cafe whilst the other one drives car back home and gets taxi back again?"

That's actually genius. I feel like you solved some kind of logic puzzle, HuntIdeas!

iknowimcoming · 02/01/2019 23:29

Surely you'll need the car seat on the return journey too? What if you need to go somewhere whilst you're away wouldn't it be wise to have a car seat with you anyway?

Purpleartichoke · 02/01/2019 23:32

Have him drop you at the station with the kids and the luggage. Then he comes back in a taxi.

Reverse on the way home.

Cherries101 · 02/01/2019 23:34

Take their seats with you then. Problem solved.

Original poster
Piewife · 02/01/2019 23:38

Haha that solves it! Two stage drop off it is I think.

Perhaps I am overthinking it, I just think I'd never drive my own car there with them not in their car seats, and it's just as unsafe to do so in a taxi.

I think I'll call around the local taxi companies and see if any can provide seats too. Thanks everyone :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Piewife · 02/01/2019 23:41

Can't take seats with us as it's a city break and no way we can lug them around on public transport.

OP posts:
Cherries101 · 02/01/2019 23:47

So you don’t plan on taking any taxis during your city break? Or buses (one harsh bit of braking and your 10mo could go flying out of your arms)?

EdtheBear · 02/01/2019 23:49

One option for the older child is a trunki boostapac. Basically a booster cushion that doubles as a back pack.

Lazypuppy · 03/01/2019 13:13

@Piewife

Can't take seats with us as it's a city break and no way we can lug them around on public transport

So you're happy to use public transport with no car seats but not a taxi...i'm so confused...

potatoscone · 03/01/2019 13:15

So you're happy to use public transport with no car seats but not a taxi...i'm so confused...

Well it's usually because people use car seats in cars, which taxis are, and they don't use car seats on buses and trains.

EmeraldShamrock · 03/01/2019 13:21

It would be fine to bring your car seat in a Taxi. As long as you pay for the return trip with the car seat to where ever you would like it dropped off, the taxi is private hire, lots of parents do this. They may not keep it on the depot as their insurance wouldn't cover it.