My MIL has a car seatthat is 5 years old that she used with her other grandson. Idk what the expiration date is, but I read that most expire after 6 years. How do I bring this up with her without sounding like an obsessive mother? I doubt she knows about car seat expirations. But its important to me! She wont be driving LO anytime soon, but Im sure she will at some point within his car seat riding life.
The expiration is usually on the bottom of the seat. I have had no qualms about being a crazy bitch when it comes to my kid's safety, but I think you could play it off asking if she knows when it expires and maybe being willing to foot the bill for a new one if necessary. I don't think you should have to apologize for sounding like an obsessive mother. If you're not comfortable with the expired seat, that's all that really matters.
ETA: Maybe wait for the next BRU trade-in event and talk to her about trading it in for the discount coupon?
@brenlo42 the BRU thing is a good idea! I will suggest that. I already plan on buying a car seat for my parents to use so we can get one for MIL too if necessary. She is babysitting for the first time this Saturday night at her house and she offered to pick LO up, which is why this came up. It was a nice offer, but Im not ready just yet for anyone to be driving LO around except me or my DH. She keeps pestering us to let him stay the night with her, but it aint happening lady! He's 2.5 months old.
I blame everything on the pediatrician when I want to question what other ppl are doing with my baby. Don't want to go somewhere? Ped says baby shouldn't be around groups. Worried about the car seat? Ped asked you to double check the expiration dates on all the seats baby will use. It seems to work for me so far. I think ppl respect the "authority" of a Dr. and don't dismiss it as easily.
I am using the same car seat I used for my 9-year-old. I looked into expiration dates and found they don't really mean anything - just that the manufacturer won't be held responsible in an accident. That being said, if it bothers you, just tell her it bothers you. If she's a reasonable adult and you offer to buy a new car seat, there shouldn't be a problem.
Re: Car Seat Expiration
ETA: Maybe wait for the next BRU trade-in event and talk to her about trading it in for the discount coupon?