To have said no to this?

[BrunettesDoItBetter]

Name changed.
Dd 4 friends mum asked if dd wanted to go to a large park area this pm with her,dh and kids ,I replied yes thanks she would and I'd fetch her car seat round.
Friends mum said it's ok theres not enough room in back for 3 car seats (she has a toddler also) she can sit in back with just seatbelt as you are legally allowed to do this.I said I'm really sorry but dd cant come then as never travels without being in a car seat.In the end dd is going in her friends car seat and mum has chosen to let her child to sit in back without one.was I being u and precious? It is 35 min travel time.

An unexpected necessary journey is rushing someone to A&E with no childcare.

Not a trip to the fair.

The Op isn't responsible for the other child. And to me my child's safety is more important. If that mother wants to risk her child then that's on her.

@IAsk sorry but I disagree. I can tell her how I parent my child and what I allow but not how to parent hers.

I think it’s less about age, more about height. DD is a tall eight year old though and has only just hit the height limit and we still make her go in a car seat 99% of the time.

Meh, people are incredibly precious about car seats, and the obsession with never buying them second hand is a spectacular con on the part of the manufacturers. I wouldn't have batted an eyelid.

@ReanimatedSGB imagine being precious about our children's lives and actually wanting to be decent parents.

Damn you science!!

Whatever the law said I wanted my son to travel in the safest possible way. So. When he reached the golden height of legally not needing a seat (and he was so wanting not to be in one - his other pals discarded theirs years ago ) and I took it out I put it back in when my uncle (grandad of many many boys!) pointed out it wasn't safe as adult seat belt was crossing his neck. He (ds) was most put out but he put up with it being put back in!

Some parents seem to see moving on to next stage seats and not needing them as something to rush as if it's indication their kids are more advanced. I would not take their advice. Also some were happy with booster cushions only - we never had them.

I do remember (with a little shame) a day where my cousin had offered to take ds to the zoo and she said there was no room in the back of car for my full back seat. I said oh there is and squished up baby and small child in back and squeezed my son's seat in!! It did fit but it was a bit snug!

So. Whatever law says (eg unexpected journey etc) I would never do it. I see babies on parents' knees in front especially in taxis and I despair. Fate doesn't know the journey is unexpected. Fate will not act any differently to if it is an expected planned journey. If there is an accident there is an accident and if your child isn't appropriately protected they will get injured, possibly even killed. Why take the risk??

Giving another child a lift without a car seat is legal, but not ideal.

I doubt I'd worry about it, but that's my age. Car seat rules were so much more lax when my kids were that small so what's "normal' to me isn't in line with current caution.

She could have a car seat in front and the smaller adult in the back? Or are car seats not allowed in front?

Car seats are one thing I'm very happy to be precious about There's a lot of bad info out there and also UK law is still pretty crap when it comes to things like extended rear facing and the massive benefits. Perhaps it's a cause Mumsnet can take on?!

NB/ DS is now nearly 17 and expects to be driving cars from the very day he turns 17. I've already told him I don't want him travelling in his older pal's car. (luckily he is yet to pass his test but I consider him reckless)

I'd give anything to strap him into his carefully researched, full backed, side protecting Britax car seat

And I speak as someone who grew up in the 70s with very fond memories of travelling to seaside holidays in my parents' friend's standard sized car which held 8 people. 4 adults, 4 kids!!