WWYD - booster seat?

[MumNWLondon]

My neighbour has her DC at same school as mine and it is very useful and helpful that she offers to take them. She has a zafira (like me) but doesn't have a 3rd car seat in the middle as "it will not fit" - I have found a very thin booster in halfords which will definately fit. I mentioned to her but she was a bit put off by the price.

Would it be reasonable of me to give it to her for DD (age 6) to sit on when she takes to school? I know legally child in middle doesn't need a booster, but I prefer it.

Also often she doesn't bother strapping the kids in. I know her DH (paediatrician) would be horrified if he knew. I always strap them in myself when she comes to pick up. Again would it be reasonable to say I don't like her driving without them being strapped in?

I know you'll say I shouldn't let her help me, well I try not to but I have a baby as well and its very useful having someone who can help with school runs.

I think it is perfectly reasonable for you to lend her your booster seat for DD to use.

How old is your DD, with regards to doing the seat belt up - can't she do it herself?

Yes, DD can do seat belt up herself, she is 6. DS1 is only 4 and needs help. I generally strap them in myself - either she picks them up so I come out of house, or I walk them round on way to work, so she unlocks car as I arrive and I load them in before I continue on foot to train station. Both DD and DS1 know I insist on them being strapped in.

Was thinking of permanent loan/gift can't be bothered to keep on getting it back.

I would give her the seat. I gave my friend a booster seat for my child to use in the car. But if she is not going to strap the children in I would not let her take you kids to school. Haw many kids is there is she using the 2 in the back and the front seat. The other thing that you could get is this it conforms to the law but doesn't make it harder to strap the children in. I wouldn't use it without a booster for a long journey but it also saves having a spare booster kicking around the car for the odd friend.

She has zafira, 5 children, her three and my 2. So 3 in middle row, and 2 in boot seats, no one in front.

When its my turn I will have to put one in front as I have a baby. I have enough booster seats though.

Thanks re: link for seat belt routers, might buy for the boot seats. I have something similar for my DD (6) she sits on a booster in the middle in my car.

might not work in the third row as the belt in some third row seat comes level or in front of seat not from behind as in middle and front row.

I wouldn't let someone with this lax view of car safety take my child anywhere, sorry.

I would give her the booster seat. I would also say that its 'your child, your rules' and if she wants reciprocal favours she needs to respect your anxieties about your child.
There is no reason it should damage your friendship. I wouldn't feed my friends kids junk food if the parents weren't into that and but I would make them wear wellies to play in the puddles even if I don't normally make mine do that, if that is what the parents wanted.

yes buy the booster and yes insist your children are strapped in

at child not being strapped in esp in the MIDDLE seat where they could fly right through he windscreen and be KILLED if she so much as slams on breaks.

OK it may be legal for your child to sit in middle seat without a booster, but that adult seat belt could cause serious spinal injuries if she were to crash.

Of course you MUST insist you child sits on a booster and your children are always strapped in...

could ou live with yourself if didnt and then they were killed?