WWYD? Car Seat Situation

[lovemykidstoo]

Maybe they just can't afford it and she's embarrassed to say? I would worry more about the liability of driving kids around in my car than actually buying a brand new car seat.

I agree though if you discussed it during the interview, she should have backed out if it's not something she can/will do.

Lilbutterflie, I want to tell you that I did not mean this to sound like I was criticizing you at all if you took it that way. I just meant that if you're buying brand new I wouldn't worry about it being a bad carseat is all. I think that those that do carseat safety checks would agree that most problems with carseats aren't the type that they are or how much they cost, but how they're installed. I think it's great that you take the kids on trips, I'm sure they love that and if the mom agreed to that and to emergencies, then she should absolutely provide you with one. Unfortunately, where I live, the insurance rates are through the roof if you transport so I can't do that. So, again, sorry if it came off wrong.

[familyschoolcare]

when you have to put a carseat in and out everyday there are a few things that happens.

1. its a pain
2. you increase the risk of it being installed incorrectly on your behalf or the parents. Therefore putting the child in more risk.
3. what happens when parent forgets to leave it? your stuck
4. the seat does take a beating having to be installed and re-installed all of the time. Of course this is if it in not an infant snap in seat, which I have always refused to use.

It would just make sense for the provider to either buy one or make the parent purchase one to have left at their house as she is doing...

That makes sense, I only deal with booster seats so I was not seeing the issue you brought up.

[daycare]

That makes sense, I only deal with booster seats so I was not seeing the issue you brought up.

LUCKY..... I have toddlers so I have to check those seats after every single freaking time we use them. I never take them out, just readjust and tighten anything necessary. Also have to clean them when from time to time.....

[Lyss]

The main thing that worries me about purchasing one myself is liability. Moms around here tend to purchase the high end, expensive, cream of the crop car seats. Radian, Britax, etc... Nothing wrong with that, but if I purchase it from my own limited income, it won't be one of those. Then, if I get in a wreck and heaven forbid a child get injured, they can put it on me for supplying a "low quality" carseat. Even if the injury had nothing to do with the carseat- they can still try to take me to court for it and ruin my business. I feel MUCH more comfortable if the parents provide their own.

As long as you have a carseat that is in working condition, no rips/tears and not expired or so on, they can not sue you just because you didn't by the best one. I thought about this too when I started (I provide car seats for all but infants as I prefer not to transport infants, DCD parents can choose to bring one if they don't like what I provide) but as long as the carseat meets the requirements for safety and is used properly and according to instructions, they cannot say you had a defective car seat or put their child in harm (carseat wise anyways) just because of what it cost.

sounds like they can't afford that or Dad would have one for his car. Not easy for a parent to say that they can't afford something. I would talk with her about this, maybe buy one and do a payment plan over a few weeks with her if you can. Work something out. I feel you need to TALK with this parent and not let it go on any longer. Your building up resentments and she probably feels embarrassed to not be able to get one to you.

I have a friend who struggled with this. They couldn't afford 2 seats (one for each car), and she said that she felt so embarrassed because it's an essential safety item that her child needed and to not be able to afford the second one made her feel like she was skimping on her child's safety and that it affected how people saw her as a parent (edit: I'm not saying you implied anything about this parent's parenting, just sharing a story! ).

UPDATE: DCM and I discussed it this morning. She stated she has no problems with her child being transported. She stated she has been waiting for her SIL to give her a carseat that she promised; but they haven't seen her yet. I told DCM that I'd be willing to purchase a Costco Scenara, $40 at Walmart, and add it to her next bill. She liked that idea, and said she would discuss with her DH and let me know. In either case, we'll have a car seat by Friday. No worries.

Glad to see that mom finally came around! I would be getting annoyed as well, especially when she knew it was something you required per your contract and you had discussed prior (and repeatedly)! I think the offer to buy and be reimbursed was a good idea. I think it's good to have one for emergencies, especially when DCD doesn't have one in his car! Glad it worked out!

[Nickel]

I am so glad that the problem was solved! That's fantastic! I know that a friend of mine was having some issues lately and come to find out dcm didn't want her transporting her son! But she wasn't so passive aggressive about it it came off as something completely different. So I just assumed your dcm was feeling the same... I am so glad you decided to talk to her about it! That's fantastic

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Thanks SilverSabre, I appreciate what you said. One of the reasons why some of us are afraid to post new topics or questions is for fear that we will be criticized for how we run our business instead of people actually offering advice.

To clear something up; the car seat is required for occasional field trips, spontaneous trips to places like a park or indoor playground; and most importantly for emergencies. In any and all cases, parents are notified IN ADVANCE of any transportation, usually via text. Even if it's spontaneous, it is more like a text or phone call stating "We will be at such and such park. I have my phone with me if you need me for anything." This is ALL discussed during the interview; and honestly I have not had one parent who has been concerned about it as long as they know where their child is at all times. If I run across someone that is not okay with it, they aren't a good fit here.

UPDATE: DCM and I discussed it this morning. She stated she has no problems with her child being transported. She stated she has been waiting for her SIL to give her a carseat that she promised; but they haven't seen her yet. I told DCM that I'd be willing to purchase a Costco Scenara, $40 at Walmart, and add it to her next bill. She liked that idea, and said she would discuss with her DH and let me know. In either case, we'll have a car seat by Friday. No worries.

What a great update! So happy for you!

[SilverSabre25]

Thanks SilverSabre, I appreciate what you said. One of the reasons why some of us are afraid to post new topics or questions is for fear that we will be criticized for how we run our business instead of people actually offering advice.

To clear something up; the car seat is required for occasional field trips, spontaneous trips to places like a park or indoor playground; and most importantly for emergencies. In any and all cases, parents are notified IN ADVANCE of any transportation, usually via text. Even if it's spontaneous, it is more like a text or phone call stating "We will be at such and such park. I have my phone with me if you need me for anything." This is ALL discussed during the interview; and honestly I have not had one parent who has been concerned about it as long as they know where their child is at all times. If I run across someone that is not okay with it, they aren't a good fit here.

UPDATE: DCM and I discussed it this morning. She stated she has no problems with her child being transported. She stated she has been waiting for her SIL to give her a carseat that she promised; but they haven't seen her yet. I told DCM that I'd be willing to purchase a Costco Scenara, $40 at Walmart, and add it to her next bill. She liked that idea, and said she would discuss with her DH and let me know. In either case, we'll have a car seat by Friday. No worries.

You're welcome. Mods are here to help.

I'm so glad you have a good solution! Cosco Scenera is a good cheap seat, that'll do fine. They are stupid though, we have one and I hate it. Not user friendly *at all*. At least, mine isn't. The straps are a pain in the a** to adjust.

[Meeko]

Completely off topic....my boys are grown now, but I LOVED their carseats. They were Fisher Price. They adjusted just like adult seatbelts. The straps came over their heads and clipped in.... and it didn't matter if they were in shorts and t-shirts, or bulky snowsuits. No adjustments needed. No need to adjust for growth, other than a higher or lower setting for height.

I am assuming that as safety standards changed...they were deemed unsafe But I LOVED "EM at the time!

It would be nice if they could make something similar that met safety standards. I hated my daughters car seats a decade later. So much strap adjustment etc.

Sorry...just a random thought as I was reading! Please indulge an old lady LOL!!!