Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

you're normal. I went on and on about my aunt driving AJ. I'm better now that she's 3.. better but not totally ok.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

Well, I don't have parents. But my in-laws, yes. My mil watched and still watches my oldest dc. She had a car seat from the beginning with the understanding it was for emergencies.... She started babysitting at 6 months and it was winter. I said never in the snow. Once spring came I said I felt more comfy with trips to the store, park, anything really. He is 3 now and I still worry a little. It is normal to worry when youre the mommy. But I trust my mil and she loves him like her own.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

DD is 16 months old - my parents watch her every day and drive her around every day. They have to still run their errands and once in a while they take her out someplace nice.

I dont think its fair to tell them not to drive. . .I know for my parents it would almost be impossible because when would they get anything done then?


ETA: DD is 100000000 times better with my parents than me when we are out. LOL its embarrassing to admit but she is so much calmer with them. . . she knows she is going to get her way I guess and with my she is ready to fight more

Message edited 12/9/2011 6:23:41 AM.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

DH's mom nope... my mom and dad... yes if need be... they cant work the car seats so they make me nervous

Message edited 12/9/2011 7:13:19 AM.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

Yes of course. My mom raised 6 kids. She is perfectly capable of driving my son around. In fact, I let her drive my car around with me in the passenger seat. She still critiques my driving and it makes me nuts so I just let her drive.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

Of course! IL's watched DD until she was 21 months, we got them a car seat day 1, i would never limit them like that to the house only.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

Just from my own experience, kids are normally BETTER with grandma and grandpa. I would give them a seat, and she will be fine. Kids push our buttons more, because they can and we allow it. I could never imagine not allowing my parents to drive my son anywhere.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

I guess I am the odd one out here but DS is only 3 1/2 months. I do not feel comfortable with him going in anyone's car except for mine or DH. MIL watches him but she does not drive. My FIL drives but when they watched my SIL's kids they never drove them anywhere and I'd like to stick to the same thing. I really don't want him out and about without me. That might change in time but for now it's hard enough having to go to work and leave him and I know he's safe in their house.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

Yes I do

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

Yes absolutely. They have a carseat in their car for him......as does my sister.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

My MIL watches DS 3x a week, but she doesn't drive so I don't have to even think about it.

With my own parents, I've never had a situation where they would want to or need to drive DS anywhere.

I would only be hesitant because I'm not sure they would fully understand how to do the car seat straps. That would be my one and only concern. If I showed them and they knew well how to do it properly on their own, I would be ok with it.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

I've always felt comfortable with my ILs and my mom driving DDs around. I'm not one to ever be in the house for more than a couple of hours on the weekend or when I am off so I would never restrict them to staying in the house. We did make sure that the car seats were installed correctly and we gave them pointers about the straps and such.

Right now DD#1 is in pre school so my ILs have no choice but to drive with her.

ETA: DD#1 HATED being in the car until we turned her around at 12mos. She was actually better with my ILs because my MIL would sit in the back with her and entertain her. When it was just me in the car she would scream her head off.

Message edited 12/9/2011 9:42:53 AM.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

Wow, I'm surprised at how many people have no issues with grandparents driving LO's around! I guess I'm more overprotective than I thought . . . I think I must also be more critical of other drivers (both the ones driving the car DD is in AND the other cars on the road). I'm nervous driving with her myself and I'm a confident driver. It's the other cars on the road that give me the issue.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

Yes my parents but I know their carseat is installed right and I trust them. I've also let my brother drive dd because I know he is extra cautious with her. If my mom was watching dd I'd never ask her to stay in all day.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

For the first year, I wouldnt allow anyone to drive my DS around unless it was either me and DH.

Once he turned one my mom and MIL got a carseat. My Dh gave them a little lesson on how to make sure he was in there correctly

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

My mom and step-father have car seats for my kids in their car so yes, I let them drive them around. Today they will be picking my kids up from day care, taking them back to their house, taking them on a play date that they arranged with their neighbor and taking them anywhere else they need to go.

I heard a report once that grandparents are actually better drivers with their grandkids in the car then parents are. I can believe it... my step-father doesn't drive anywhere near as fast as I do; he has read both car seat manuals to ensure that my car seats are installed correctly and basically considers my children precious cargo... which they are... and acts accordingly.

I understand the nervousness but unless your mom is the world's worst driver or will refuse to follow safety laws like an OP mentioned, I see no legitimate reason not to let her drive your DC. A big part of parenting is letting go.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

My parents? Yes

MIL? NO She gave up driving (even though she has her license) and she insists on riding in the back seat.

FIL? NO He's a big drinker and will still drive

Message edited 12/9/2011 11:54:17 AM.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

I am a nervous nelly about people driving my DS in the car, it's just one of those things that I have a hard time with.
but, if your paretns are watching your child during the week (i assume m-f), I don't think it's right to ask them to stay cooped up home with him, it's not fair. not to mention, they raised you and you turned out ok, right?

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

DH ad I are the only ones who've ever driven DD, with the exception of my mom doing it ONCE. She bought a carseat and is expecting to be able to pick DD up and take her to see her cousins or to lunch/the park, etc.

I have to get used to the idea because DD comes to work with me and I would rather her be able to go out with my mom than be stuck here day after day.

It still scares the bejeesus out of me though.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

Not my parents, because they don't have car seats. But my inlaws watch my kids 2 days a week so they have their own carseats.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

I have no problems with my kids in the car with my parents..

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

I would but my IL's feel uncomfortable with it and my Mom lives out of town. She also has some medical issues-I don't think she would be able to lift them in and out of the car, or keep them safe in a parking lot. If it wasn;t for that I would totally trust her to drive them.

Re: Do you let your parents drive your DC around?

My parents pick up DS #1 from daycare once in a while and currently watch DS #2 at my house. I trust my dad with driving both DS', my mom doesn't drive. My MIL is afraid to drive any of her grandchildren., she'll only do it in emergencies, but I would let her drive both boys also.