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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be hesitant about letting my 5 yr old ds1 go in a limo for a party?

72 replies

smoggie · 18/11/2008 10:24

Very briefly, he's had an invitation to a party at a soft play for his classmate (who will be 6) and they're going by limo from the friend's house.
OK so I have very strong views on why I don't think this is an appropriate thing to do at this age, but leaving that aside....

I'm hesitant about it and have just emailed the mum to ask if it has seatbelts inside or should we take our own carseats for them. She's emailed back to say she's not sure...feel free to bring the car seat along or meet them there.
So, if I turn up with his car seat and if there aren't any seatbelts to attach it to, do I refuse to let him go in?
Do I just take him directly to the soft play......and just accept he's going to think I'm the worst mum in the world for not letting him go in the limo?
Or am I being too over-protective.....I'm willing to be told that I am.(however, I just think that a limo full of over-excited 5/6 yr olds without seatbelts is not a great idea)
Your thoughts please?
TIA

OP posts:

Thomcat · 18/11/2008 13:50

Chavtastic.

It's not something that would have entered my head to do for my DD's but if they were invited to a limo ride, I'd think oh what a fun idea, something they've not done before, they'll love it.

Why does it have to be about class / tackiness / chavtastiness / taste etc.

It's just a bit different and fun and I can't imagine a child not enjoying it.

Actually, I've just remembered my friend did it for her 9 yr old DD and her and her mates all loved it. She's not even slightly tacky or chavvy or anything, She's just a fab, lovley mum who absolutley loves organising things and being a bit creative when it comes to her kids and their birthdays. They set up a cinema with a projector and showed HSM summer before and did a HSM themed party and gave everyone popcorn to watch film with etc.

The 'oh it's tastless' crew are just being miserable imo

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 18/11/2008 16:18

I must admit I've thought about hiring a huge pink limo for dd's 8th birthday. Her friends would love driving around watching music videos in the back. But the lack of seatbelts put me off.

RainbowChaser · 18/11/2008 16:23

Thomcat = "its just a bit different". I dont think so. You see them all the time.

mumto2andnomore · 18/11/2008 16:30

My 5 year old would love it and I would let him go. Theres risk in everything you do,I would be pleased he was having fun.

Thomcat · 18/11/2008 16:45

Rainbowchaser - you see limos with 5 yr olds in celebrating a birthday - all the time, really? WOW!

NorthernLurker · 18/11/2008 17:05

My daughter went to a party where a limo was involved. I did not know about this beforehand and whilst she had a fab time I was really cross that somebody else had taken the decision to put my child in that car totally unsecured. Of course dd thought it was marvellous and they were all back safe but it was not something I would ever have agreed to. Of course that's probably why the mum didn't say anything...

RainbowChaser · 18/11/2008 22:18

Thomcat - I never said I saw 5 yr olds in limos all the time. I was referring to your comment about limos being a "bit different" when they are not really. DD and friends were determined not to have a limo for their prom because they are so common. And yes I have seen five year olds in them as well as many other type of group.

Quadrophenia · 18/11/2008 23:06

well yes rainbowchaser as a party for a five year old and in the context of this thread they clearly are a bit different hence the reaction on here!! I don't think a five year old gives a damn if they are common as to a child for a birthday party it is clearly out of the norm.

Thomcat · 19/11/2008 11:26

Rainbowchaser - oh course limos aren't different persay, (I live in London, I have seen a few in my life! )
I thought it was obvious that I meant using a limo for a child's 5th party was a bit different. Not saying it's never been done before, not saying limos themselves are a bit different.

Thomcat · 19/11/2008 11:28

Glad you understand what I mean Quadrophenia

pudding25 · 19/11/2008 12:23

What happened to children being satisfied with a bit of cake and musical chairs??? I am dreading the cost already of parties and dd is only 6 mths (and I am talking about the cost of cake and pass the parcel presents, never mind limos).

twinsetandpearls · 19/11/2008 12:26

My dd would pee herself with excitement at the though of a limo.... of course then I would need to pay to clean the carpet.

Thomcat · 19/11/2008 12:29

By the time you've paid for cake and pass the parcel presents you might as well hire a limo!

Original poster

smoggie · 19/11/2008 12:33

Well, thanks for all the input!!
Good range of views although in the main pretty much in agreement re: the safety aspect of the limo...probably still some disagreement as to the appropriateness of it but that is a while different thread.

I've decided to meet them at the venue.
Told ds1 this morning and he was absolutely fine about it - the blow was softened by the fact that 2 of his other friends are doing the same.
I've emailed the mum and she was fine about it too. I had previously asked about the seatbelt situation so she will know why ds1 isn't going in the limo, but she doesn't seem to mind, so no harm done and I feel much happier.

OP posts:

LovesTents · 19/11/2008 12:35

puddin25 - I know what you mean, all this party stuff can get a bit out of hand.
I had a party at home for my 8 year and the kids were bored out of their heads - had to book playzone thingy the following year.
You don't want to let them down but we don't have a lot money to do the flash things really.

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 19/11/2008 12:39

A limo is a lot cheaper than soft play!

LovesTents · 19/11/2008 12:44

How much is a limo?What do they do in it , do they get fed?

tiredsville · 19/11/2008 12:47

I'm not keen on Limo's, but the kids love it and that is what is important.

pudding25 · 19/11/2008 12:49

I am going to dress mil up as a clown when the time comes and she can entertain them

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 19/11/2008 12:50

We paid £80 quid for ds1's Scooby Doo van and £120 for his hideous stretch hummer. We refused their food because of ds1's diet so can't help you there. You can play movies if you want but we just drove around and the 3 boys loved it.

Paid a lot more for ds2's soft play party last year- 15 kids (12 friends of his then 3 family/family friends)

lollipopz · 19/11/2008 14:54

We had a limo for dd1 5th birthday, no we are not snobs but was the easiest option as i was 39 weeks preg and they got driven round all the xnas lights and loved it. There were seatbelts and they also provided booster seats

Lotster · 19/11/2008 15:06

Just no good sending your LO in a car without seat belts. A cargo of 5 year olds are a distracting one for the driver! Maybe even more than the usual pissed-up hen parties It wouldn't be the law in all other cars if it was safe, don't be intimidated in to feeling "over-protective".

Sounds like it would be helpful to encourage the mum to check the limo company gives her a vehicle on the day that DOES have seatbelts. You might well be doing her a favour preventing other parents turning up on the day, having not previously thought about the belts/assuming there would be, and refusing their kids going, upsetting the birthday boy/girl...

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