New baby 3 under 5

MERFE

We have just found out we are expecting our 3rd child, it'll mean we have 3 under 5s by the time baby is born but we only have a small family car peugeot 206, and live in a small 2 bed terrace with the kids sharing. We can not afford to move or change cars without seriously setting back our dfd, should be about 2 years at this rate. OH thinks we can manage with our car as dd will be in a booster seat in feb but would this fit in the back with two other car seats - i dont think so. So his suggestion is to put baby in the front (passenger airbag can be switched off) and have 2 kids in the back and one of us squeeze in the back with them again I dont think we'll fit. Then again I dont like big cars and what they cost, so what I wanna know is what cars do people with more than 2 children have and does anyone manage with a small car?

Re the house we'll probably manage here until debt free then look to rent 3 bed as to rent a 3 bed for the same we pay now it would be in a very rough area so not good for the kids.

TAG

I had 3 under 5. We used to put all 3 in the back. Oldest in the middle with a lap belt. Youngest 2 in car seats with the cross over seat belts. Alot of cars now a days have 3 proper seat belts in the back. Prehaps look at something like that as an option.

We had a Ford Granada Estate by the way. Couldn't get 3 seats in the back of it hence having one on a lap belt until we changed for an Omega which had 3 proper seat belts in the back.

RoxieW

hi
I'm having the same worry at the moment. I did think that we could have baby seat and booster in the back with me squeezed in between but not sure whether it will fit - pretty sure we wont.:(
Am thinking that we'll prob have to be resigned to buying a bigger car. £2K will buy a second hand scenic or similar. Am loathe to thou as we'd only be using it for the odd family journey (once a week probably) as hubby has a company car (clio) that costs us very little. It means forking out £2K plus monthly insurance etc for a once a week trip. We love our family day outs thou - and don't live near family so have to travel to visit them - so I guess we'll have to fork out.

RoxieW

TAG wrote: »

I had 3 under 5. We used to put all 3 in the back. Oldest in the middle with a lap belt. Youngest 2 in car seats with the cross over seat belts. Alot of cars now a days have 3 proper seat belts in the back. Prehaps look at something like that as an option.

We had a Ford Granada Estate by the way. Couldn't get 3 seats in the back of it hence having one on a lap belt until we changed for an Omega which had 3 proper seat belts in the back.

They all have to have car seats/boosters now so not an option to use just a lap belt.

3under3

We have 3 under 3 - hence my username.. I'm not sure how you are going to do it in such a small car, especially with all the kit that you'll have to carry around with you.. I'd be concerned about the safety aspect too, ideally you'd need a car with 3 proper seats in the back. I know getting a bigger car will set your DFD back but maybe it's worth it otherwise it'll be such a squeeze.

MERFE

thanks for the replies, roxie at least I'm not the only one trying to manage it!lol

We do have 3 proper seat belts in the back, I suppose we just have to wait till the baby is here to find out if we fit or not cos there doesnt seem much space back there. We too only use the car occassionally for family days/visit family and camping holidays and if the weather is bad taking dd to and from preschool.

cazziebo

I had a Corsa and had to fit my niece, nephew two car seats and my teenage daughter in the back. Other teenage daughter in the front.

I think Corsa is the same size as a 206? No way could I have got a third car seat in. As both my daughters are very tall, it was a very tight squeeze and no way could they have done it for a journey of any length.

All children do have to have some form of car seat now so your only option might be to look at another car. I think Scenics are great family cars - lots of room and high visibility which makes journeys marginally more interesting for the back seaters!

There's another thread on here about whether under 10s can travel in the front. The answer obviously impacts on your decision. Thankfully my own two are now too old for me to worry about (one is now driving herself :eek: )that and I rely on the mother of any littlies I have to keep me right!

But most importantly - Congratulations on the pregnancy! :T :T

Agutka

I'd say drive up to somewhere like Halfords or Mothercare, get them to lend you the three seats you'll need and see if they fit - research if some seats can be smaller if the space isn't there.

bestpud

How often will the five of you be in the car together though? I'm assuming only one of you does the nursery run?

If it is a rare occasion then you have no problem really because you can put one child in the front (with airbag disabled) for most journeys. Then if you are all in there, it will be easier for you or your oh to sit in the back with the child in the booster seat and child with the smallest of the remaining seats.

If you go camping, it will probably work out cheaper to hire a bigger car for the week than finance a bigger car all year round iyswim?

Failing that, as already said, go somewhere like Halfords and ask if they can provide three seats to fit in the back.

Is there a particular reason why you want them all in the back? It's only going to be for a couple of years, and less than that really, as the baby isn't here yet.

morganb

RoxieW wrote: »

hi
I'm having the same worry at the moment. I did think that we could have baby seat and booster in the back with me squeezed in between but not sure whether it will fit - pretty sure we wont.:(
Am thinking that we'll prob have to be resigned to buying a bigger car. £2K will buy a second hand scenic or similar. Am loathe to thou as we'd only be using it for the odd family journey (once a week probably) as hubby has a company car (clio) that costs us very little. It means forking out £2K plus monthly insurance etc for a once a week trip. We love our family day outs thou - and don't live near family so have to travel to visit them - so I guess we'll have to fork out.

RoxieW, just a suggestion but could you not hire a car for the once a week trip, would probably work out much cheaper than the initial outlay plus insurance, road tax, servicing, etc., and you might find you don't use it every week, or that you can sometimes use public transport.
Just a thought, this is what my friends in London are doing (and I'm sure you could strike a deal with the car hire place)

And yes, Scenics are great family cars, we;'ve got one, but it DRINKS petrol and costs me a lot to keep it on the road (and it's only just come out of warranty)

arthur_dent_2

The law states:
Children aged 3 and above, until they reach EITHER their 12th birthday OR 135cm in height In the Front Seat

The child MUST use the correct child restraint.
In the Rear Seat

The child MUST use the correct restraint, where seat belts are fitted.

There are three exceptions where there is not a child seat available. In each case the child MUST use the adult belt instead. They are -

1) in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle;

2) if the child is travelling on a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity;

3) if there are two occupied child restraints in the rear which prevent the fitment of a third.

In addition, a child 3 and over may travel unrestrained in the rear seat of a vehicle if seat belts are not available.

It is the driver's legal responsibility to ensure that the child is correctly restrained.
Note that the 3rd option is for smaller cars.