What to do with car

[tudorqueenie]

Hi all,

we are about to try for baby #2 and I have a few concerns about more… administrative? or not sure how to label them - but anyway, about some things.
For example - the car. We have a car, we took out a bank loan for it. If/when I give birth to baby #2 which will be via C-section, I won’t be able to drive for 6 weeks. However, even following this, with all the sleep deprivation I highly doubt I will be driving much for a while. I am also an anxious driver due to two non-fault accidents (I love driving and can drive well&safely&defensively but I cannot help what others do sometimes), and I’m a bit worried about that too.
However, we live in a small town with not much public transport so we do need a car I suppose.
What do people do in this situation? I don’t think I want to rent out the car. Also - just a side note, we have absolutely zero family around.
thank you so much for any thoughts, it is honestly so appreciated!

Does your partner not drive / use the car at all?

The car just sits on the drive until you use it . I drove 10 days after my c section . During lockdown when neither of our cars went anywhere we just started them up and ran them occasionally to stop the battery going dead

No unfortunately due to a health condition, he is not allowed to even learn to drive.

if It’s foreseeable that you’ll drive the car less than normal knock down the annual mileage to reduce the cost of insurance.

other than that most people don’t drive after surgery until told they can and then they do again. 6 weeks of car off road wouldn’t trigger me to SORN particularly given how road tax is charged in whole months but I guess you could if you felt it was worth the hassle.

I think the 6 weeks is a guide and it’s whenever you feel comfortable that you can do a safe emergency stop; for me that was a couple of weeks. I personally think it’d be more hassle than it’s worth to get rid of the car just to get another down the line, so it just sits on your drive until you’re ready I suppose.

That makes sense. Thank you!

You just won’t use it for a few weeks (not necessarily 6) but you’ll manage soon enough. You will hopefully be happy resting at home with the baby for a while anyway. Ideally organise at least some childcare for the older child (if your dp is able to take/drop off)

will your dp be able to get stuff for you if he doesn’t drive? If not then can you rely on deliveries?

There’s a shop nearby thankfully but I think deliveries would be a good idea anyway!

im just worried that it will take me more like 6 months to feel okay driving with 2 children..! 😵‍💫

I get the “fear” but honestly it’s fine.

Just keep it on the drive. Eventually you'll want the car to go out with baby! Family days out, seaside, park, the shops, baby classes etc.