To tell them I don't want her on my lap next time?

[Uriahsnose]

I've spent a bit of time with my newish partner's family recently. They're all nice people and very accommodating to me, no issues there.

There's a little girl in the family aged 18 months ish.

Once about a month ago we'd all gone to a friend's and it got to about 11pm before we headed back home. Nobody was drunk but we'd all had a few drinks. Taxi back to where we were staying (different households) and little girl is on someone's lap. I didn't say anything but judgementally perhaps was clutching my pearls a bit-she should be in a car seat? And I don't like drinking around children as a rule anyway or keeping her out so late but not my child or for me to say anything.

However yesterday we'd all gone to a halloween party at a pub. Left reasonably early but as we got into the taxi family member says to little girl 'Sophie get on Uriahsnose's knee so there's room' and obviously that's fine normally, she's a lovely baby and I dont mind at all but I thought, if we had an accident and I'm forced forward I could really hurt her. I didn't like it and was nervous all the way back.

WIBU (and look like a judgmental oik) if I said to my partner that I am not comfortable with it for future-if I'd have hurt her (or worse :( ) I'd have never lived with myself?Even a sudden brake could cause an adult to lunge forwards and my weight could crush her.

Should I tell them they need to put her in a seat anyway? None of my business?Is it different with taxis? I'm not a parent. I am on this site due to having had a large hand in raising my ex's but they were older and past car-seat height.

You are understandably concerned; if you had her on your knee and there was an accident you would be considered part of the responsibility.
I would say, "you know because there is not a car seat I am very concerned having her on my knee because I don't feel confident I could protect her in an accident situation. This is being polite and also making a point. What is more important the child or someone else getting miffed. And did you know that when you order a taxi you can ask for a child seat, most companies do that, because actually the driver is also liable for no car seated child in the case of an accident. Stand you ground firmly with the emphasis on the child's safety. Good Luck. Oh, yes and ask your husband if he would like your baby loose in a car!

@Lily78123 I find your comment VERY Offensive I am a Female Taxi Driver and have been for Many Years and I certainly dont drive like a "StereoTypical Taxi Driver" we are certainly not Mentalists

I'm confused by the latest stuff about mentalists? "Mentalist" was a programme on netflix Prime with the yummy Simon Baker. A very intelligent character

But anyway. It was DPs family insisting on another family's child being sat on OPs lap in a taxi. Really not on at all

Hope OP has been able to broach it and is able to say No next time. Now she's forewarned that's how partners family expect toddler to travel

Lazypuppy

In taxis kids don't have to be in car seats“

So? It’s stupid and dangerous. Some laws are (and need changing).

@rainbowunicorn

What kind of scum drag a baby out to a pub, drinking at friends and then don't give a toss about that poor child's safety.

This.

Couldn't agree more.

What a shower.

Are these people you really want to be involved with.

What exactly is judgy as a non parent, to not want to be responsible for perhaps killing a child that was foisted on you, on your lap in a car?

There is nothing judgy in your discomfort.
It is having really basic standards of cop on and safety.