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I'm terrified

summer80summer80 member
in Working Moms

My younger sister watches my LO at our home while I work during the day.  She is great with him, mind you, she has no kids of her own.

She wants to take him to the local library for an infant reading class they have once a week, just a hop, skip and jump away, but it's across a very busy highway so she needs to drive there. Basically a 2-5 minute car ride. We don't have a car seat in her car and I said I would get her one so she could take him. She also just wants the peace of mind to know that if she has to get out of the house she can and isn't trapped in our home all day. She said she wouldn't be running around with him, or abuse the fact she has the seat, and she would always tell me if she is going somewhere and it would always be local, minutes from home.  

BUT I nearly had a panic attack the first time she took him for a walk around the block in the stroller and I was at work. SO the question is do I let her drive with him or do I cave to my fear and tell her I changed my mind? The way I see it, I can't keep LO in a bubble, eventually he will drive with other people, or go on a school bus, or be driving one day himself, and he will be just as precious to me when he is older as he is to me now. So, should I just get the car seat for her car or what. Can I also add, that years ago when she was younger she was not the best driver in the world, and had some accidents. But I can't hold her past against her either, right?

Tell me I'm being neurotic if I am! :-)

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Re: I'm terrified

  • ridesbuttonsridesbuttons member

    It's hard when your LO is that little.  I remember being worried about my older sister taking my first born on walks in the Bjorn when he was an infant.  I had an irrational fear that she would trip and fall on him.

    Your sister will need to get out.  Walks in the stroller, going to the park, I think a trip to the library is a great idea!  Set up the car seat, go on a drive or two with her driving her car and your LO in the carseat so you can feel some peace of mind that she knows how to strap him in safely and drive carefully.

    Don't cave to your fear.  This is one of many, many, many events where your LO's safety will be outside of your total control.  This is a nice little outing.  It will give you a sense that it is ok and her some confidence as well.

    promised myself I'd retire when I turned gold, and yet here I am
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  • pmarie33pmarie33 member

    Baby steps

    First library, next Target. 

    You can do it.

    image

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  • vmm0016vmm0016
    I think you should let your sister drive.  Like the pp said you could always go for a ride with her the first couple of times. 
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  • BeccaMarieBeccaMarie member

    Let her go.

    I wouldn't want to be stuck at home all day every day with a baby.  It will be good for both of them to be able to get out of the house.

    Get her a quality seat, and show her how to properly install it in her car, and how to properly buckle LO in.

    I know it is hard to send your child 'out' with someone, but I am sure they will be fine!

    GBCB!

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  • ladipaleladipale member
    Her sister will probably be super nervous to drive too! I used to babysit my nephew and drove him around, as was so nervous the first couple of times I drove with him. I drove extra cautiously, asked my sister a hundred times if I did the carseat correctly, etc.
    **** TW - kids and loss mentioned ****
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  • BennyLBennyL member
    imageBeccaMarie:

    Let her go.

    I wouldn't want to be stuck at home all day every day with a baby.  It will be good for both of them to be able to get out of the house.

    Get her a quality seat, and show her how to properly install it in her car, and how to properly buckle LO in.

    I know it is hard to send your child 'out' with someone, but I am sure they will be fine!

    This. It will be great for her to be able to go out with your LO to the park...or if you decide to do something like Gymboree classes later on. Places like that and the library will allow him to interact/play with other babies too...and most of those activities are only offered during the week. As he gets older..she might be able to take LO to the pedi or run an errand for you as well. I know you're scared...so set some ground rules e.g. he must ALWAYS be strapped in properly with the doors locked...and whatever else is important to you. Most police and fire departments will show you how to install the car seat and give safety tips for free. Why not set up appointment for her to go and get that done so she knows the basics?

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