Car seat question - 4 kids

[RainbowRiver]

Hopefully someone call help or in the same position!

i currently have 3 kids and own a Falcon. Obviously all my back seat is full and I have #4 on the way in May.
Until tonight, the plan was to drive DFs car (7 seater) but its manual and I can only drive auto and the thought of learning is stressful! Anyhow, he came home from the shops tonight saying that I can still use my car and DD1 aged 6 can sit in the front seat using a booster. I looked into the laws and found out this can be done:

If all rear seats are being used by children under 7 years of age, children aged 4 years to under 7 years may travel in the front seat, provided they travel in a booster seat.

Has anyone else done this????


Obviously if we all go out as a family then ill need to put all 4 seat into DF car (pain in the butt!!)

[Freya]

You can do it but the passenger side airbag is dangerous, so you'd have to either slide the seat riiiiiiiiiiiiiight back or have it disabled. I personally wouldnt feel right having my 6yo travel permanently in the front seat of a car without an anchored booster seat though.

[Olive]

I completely agree with Freya, if it were a once off I'd be ok with it but not everyday

[black_rose]

I wouldn't be happy doing it permanently either. Dh does it in his car for very short drives eg kinder run if he has all three but never very far. Maybe see if you can swap over one of the cars for a 7 seater automatic?

[RainbowRiver]

Generally it would only be school/kinder run she would be in the front. Her dad and I have 50/50 care, so she isn't with me a great deal in a week. The idea isn't sitting right with me, I just wanted to see if anyone else had this issue too.

I'd buy a new car, but finances aren't permitting that, and don't think I'd get much of a trade in on my car, or even much more if I sold it privately. Then if course, I'd need extra funds to put towards a new car anyhow.

[Phteven]

Is your car a wagon? because you can get a seat installed in the boot.

[*Efjay*]

In an accident booster seats act like a catapult when they are on the front seat & it literally throws the child towards the windscreen. Much more stressful then learning to drive manual.

[Phteven]

FJ might be right. Learning to drive a manual might be stressful for a few days or even a few weeks but once you know how it gives you more choice. Not just now but in the future it makes hiring cars easier (especially in Europe where autos are very rare), gives you more options buying and if there is ever an emergency and the only car available is a manual you will be able to drive it.

I once overtook a car with a little sign at the back saying 'First Manual - Please be Kind'. Maybe you could make one so other drivers don't crowd you.

[RainbowRiver]

Zazou - No my car is a sedan unfortunately, used to have a wagon!

[Arimeh]

I agree with the others - with no anchor point its too risky for me. I'd take a few lessons and see how you go. I mean, you already know how to drive a car its just learning the relationship between the clutch and accelerator and changing gears from time to time.

[Freya]

Can you trade DH's car in for a 7 seater auto?

[RainbowRiver]

Can you trade DH's car in for a 7 seater auto?

Lol, no chance. We've spent far to much money on getting it to offload level (we do a lot off 4wd, camping etc). It's his boy toy and I couldn't ask him to part with it. Looked into making it auto, but wasn't worth it and its not economical for the stuff we do where manual is better in the long run.

If I could run into money somehow or get a loan I'd be right, no chance of either.

[MrsFabuloso]

IMO, I would much rather learn to drive manual than to put my child into the front seat. It' really isn't that difficult to learn. I remember being petrified to learn manual, and when I finally did, I thought 'Was that it?!' And it would be worth it in the long run, you will have more choice and be able to drive any car.

[black_rose]

After being in a minor accident today I would rather have all the kids in the back in proper seats, it was low speed but my back is aching and would hate to see how a child in the front would have been. Try and see how you go learning to drive the manual it might take you s little bit but definitely the safer option.