To not want to drive 5hrs with baby in this heat?

[Tully42]

Fully prepared to be told IABU but my decision is my decision - so on that score it's final but I just wanted to test where I sat in relation to others.

So journey is from London to Newcastle to visit friends for the weekend for a special event. Plans made ages ago. DH referring to it as a bucket item type event.

I've pulled out because I don't want to do that drive on my own in this heat with a 1yr old. My car is fine but it's not got any real frills to it - I.e no fancy air con. It blows cold air but not exactly air con. If you're hot you put the windows down. If we got stuck in traffic or broke down I can imagine it being a world of pain with the baby.

DH is currently working in Birmingham - so we're in two seperate cars to travel. DH is still going to the special event it's just I won't be there.

Really I wanted to hear whether others wouldn't give that drive in this weather a second thought- = YABU

Or whether most would be with me on this and would also be pulling out too = YANBU

If you have a swanky car with great air con your views don't count (as much! Haha.)

I don’t think you should do anything you don’t feel comfortable with.

I think you know your baby best. Mine would have screamed the whole way at that age in this heat, at which point it wouldn't have actually been safe.

That said, have you tried topping up your air conditioning fluid?

I dnno it depends if you're going to make your DH feel guilty for 'leaving me all weekend with a toddler whilst you have fun' your choice not to go you don't get to complain when he gets back that you've been solo parenting all weekend

It sounds like hell.

Would your 1yo get anything out of the event?

Regardless of aircon situation I couldn't drive alone with a 1 year old for 5 hours.

Not mine anyway. She'd be seriously fucked off with the entire situation by hour 3 and be making my life a living hell.

Nope. Garden, paddling pool and a nice cold drink for me!

For a “bucket-list” type event I think you might be being a bit unreasonable. I get the concern about being stuck in traffic but, providing you take plenty of water it’s just going to be uncomfortable for a few hours, not life threatening, isn’t it? Also, seems like there are plenty of alternatives - the train (don’t get why you think this isn’t doable), going at a Point in the day when it will be cooler, or borrowing/renting a better car.

Seems like a bit of a “Ahh! Here’s my excuse!” rather than “Shit! Damn this weather. There’s just no way we can do that.”

how old is the car? Does the air conditioning just need recharging? Your description is exactly what ours is like when it needs it…

@NumberTheory yes!

Not sure trains are very reliable at the moment!

@Tully42 Sorry Op think you’re being soooo precious!

It’s not even gonna be that hot anywhere in the uk. Drive with your windows down. Job done. Will be nice actually - summer breeze.

Five hours of mild unpleasantness for a weekend of fun?! No brainer!

@Eeiliethya

”Nope. Garden, paddling pool and a nice cold drink for me!”

That sounds shit compared to a bucket list special weekend

@toomuchlaundry

Its not all about the 1 year old though is it?

even if it’s just the adults that will enjoy it - so what? They are every bit as important as the baby

No I wouldn’t go. You could get stuck in traffic and it would be awful. Esp with 1 year old in the back who you can’t really comfort because you’re driving.
if there were two of you I’d say it would be so-able as you could share the drive and sort 1 year old if he / she gets too hot/ grumpy/ hungry etc.
but just you and 1 year old - nope.

@LuckySantangelo35 the OP doesn’t seem that bothered she is missing it either

And a 1yo comfort comes before adults and I can’t imagine a 5 hour journey stuck in a car seat in heat is going to be any fun

I am just about to set of on a similar journey with my one year old and a dog with fake A/C too as my husband is away too. I’m leaving shortly, we don’t normally do iPads but it is loaded with toy story. Hopefully by the time that finishes she’ll be ready to go to sleep. The dog is more annoying than the one year old on long journeys!

Is it fair on the dog to be travelling in heat. Still hot here

@toomuchlaundry

The very mild discomfort for a toddler of being in a car? Dunno, I wouldn’t let that dictate my plans personally

It WILL be hot - 30’degress tomorrow. And driving with the window down on the motorway is horrendously noisy. if there is traffic (there will be at some point) or the car breaks down it could be very dangerous - it would be like being in an oven for the baby. There’s a reason why animals die in cars on a hot day - from overheating!

The dog will be fine. The baby will be fine.

Errrrr never! That's a good tip! Thanks!

With a 1yr old - wouldn't even dream of doing a long car journey alone unless absolutely necessary.
Car/train/bus any mode of transport becomes an ordeal with a little one.

Recharging? Eeek I'm learning here! :-)

I will get the garage to take a look!

I have a small car, air con broken, it's absolute HELL driving it home for 25mins and I certainly wouldn't volunteer to do it with a small child.