Posts Tagged "Trunki"

Car Seat Conundrum

Posted by cafebebemama on Jun 20, 2010 in Little Miss Adventures, Travelling Adventures | 6 comments

Where's my car seat, Mummy?

What’s missing from this picture?  Well, for starters, a car seat!  Little Miss and I had the joy of journeying to Newquay in Cornwall this weekend courtesy of Have a Lovely Time.  We’re exploring the gorgeous shores of Newquay and finding family-friendly-fun to recommend to you all.

In our travel preparations we were working with a PR who made all of the arrangements.  Flight (thank you bmibaby), hotel (thank you Sands Resort Hotel) and entertainment was all being sorted.  As Little Miss is only just 2, one of my concerns was for her safety in transport.  We would be flying to Newquay and then driven from the airport to the hotel.  We would also need taxis to travel to the arranged entertainment.  Would there be a car seat??

I enquired about bringing our current car seat (Maxi-Cosi Tobi) on the flight only to be told that the measurements wouldn’t allow for it.  Our car seat width was 44 cm and the space between arm rests on a flight on bmibaby was only 40-43 cm.  Not wide enough by THAT much.  Not only would I have felt better about Little Miss flying but she also would have been in a familiar setting that would have kept her still and contained.

The airline assured us that it is perfectly safe for a 2 year old to fly without a car seat.  I questioned it but what are you going to do?  It’s not like I could source a 42cm wide car seat in less than 12 hours!  I had to trust their advise.  I was advised that we COULD try and see if our car seat would fit but if it didn’t, then what would I do?  The car seat would have to be stowed, potentially damaged and then how was I going to walk around with a Maxi-Cosi Tobi on the other end whislt also dealing with a Baby Jogger City Mini, a small suitcase, a changing bag AND Little Miss all by myself?  Not practical.

Little Miss and I flew without incident, thankfully and she was an absolute dream.  Never moaned or cried or put up a stink.  She and I drew pictures, looked out at the clouds and for the last 5 minutes of the flight she laid her head on teddy (her souvenir teddy from Germany from my Pampers trip) and glazed over.

On the arrival side of the incy-wincy Newquay airport we eventually found the shuttle that would be taking us to the hotel.  I enquired about a car seat.  They produced a booster seat.  Little Miss is not technically big enough for a booster seat.  Therein lay my car seat conundrum!  What to do?  Refuse to be taken until a suitable car seat could be found?  Take the risk and secure Little Miss in the booster seat & pray for safe arrival?  Ask which way to the hotel and start walking?

Well, I chose the middle option.  Take the risk, secure Little Miss in the booster seat and pray for safe arrival.  It was not the option I wanted to take but I didn’t think I had any other.  We had a similar problem with the taxi taking us to Dairyland Farm on the Saturday except it was worse!  NO CAR SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT AT ALL!!!  I was advised by the child safety expert/taxi driver that it was “no big deal” and he even suggested holding Little Miss on my lap!  That would be safer??

I don’t get it.  Especially concerning taxi drivers in a resort town…how can you not have both a Group 1+ car seat and a Booster Seat available for families who need it?  It’s just not practical to bring your own car seat 9 times out of 10.  Mind you, when you have a newborn, it’s a bit easier as most families have travel systems which allow the infant car seat to be easily installed in any car & converted into a pushchair at the end of a journey.  Would a taxi driver allow a newborn baby to be transported being HELD by its parent?  I doubt it.  Why is it ok for a 2 year old?  It’s ILLEGAL!!!  If I was pulled over and Little Miss was galavanting all over the back seat, I would be fined and ticketed.  Simple as that.  It’s ILLEGAL.

I’m a LAW BREAKER!  But I didn’t know what to do!  What would you do?  How can this situation be remedied?  I’ve seen a BRILLIANT product on the market made by Trunki called the BoostApak which is a booster seat and back pack all in one!  Truly genius.  However, it’s only suitable for ages 4-12 (15-36kg).  Little Miss is 2.  She weighs 2 stone.  Not quite there.  Who’s going to come up with the PERFECT PRODUCT, like BoostApak which will safely transport a 2-4 year old AND be portable?  Trunki…it’s over to you now!

Big Adventures for Little Miss

Posted by cafebebemama on Nov 17, 2009 in Little Miss Adventures, Travelling Adventures, Writing Workshop | 12 comments

Ooh, I’m a little bit excited!  Mummy told me that we’re going to the London Zoo again!  She mentioned something about meeting some other Mummies there.  What was that word again?  Bloggers?  Boogers?  Not sure…but they’re just like Mummy.  They sit at the computer a lot.  Mummy told Daddy that he was coming too.  He wasn’t too sure about it and had a rather funny expression on his face but Mummy said!  She has to remind him about things a lot…he forgets.  I think he might forget on purpose but what do I know?  I’m not even 2 years old!  I forget a lot too!  I never forget when I’ve done a poo though.  I tell Mummy about that!

So, the last time we went to the London Zoo I was with my best friend.  Mummy had everything we needed, or so she said.  But I think she forgot a few things.  So, this time, I’m bringing my own bag.  My Trunki.  I’ll have Daddy put it in the boot.  Daddy says we’re driving down to the London Zoo this time.  No trains.  That makes me a little bit sad but Mummy sure does huff and puff a lot when we take the train and it’s not very fun bumping up and down the steps in my pushchair, so maybe this is a better plan.  Here’s what I need to bring with me on our trip to the London Zoo…I hope Mummy can read my writing!  Maybe if I get someone to email it to her, then we’ll be ok?!

• A bottle of Milton sterilising solution to clean the baby changing area in the London Zoo toilet- ewww, not pretty.
• My Little Life backpack so I don’t have to stay in the pushchair all the LIVE LONG DAY!  I need my freedom!
• Food to feed to the penguins!  They are really funny and seem to like fish which I don’t like so I can give them some of mine.
• My “In the Night Garden” figurines.  I think they really want to meet the gorillas since I told them how cool they were so we’ll bring them along this time.
• 2 Changes of clothes- last time we were there I got a bit wet thanks to the rubbish nappies I was wearing (not name brand mind you…bargain basement is NOT the way to go).  I like to be fashionable and warm so I would prefer to have a few options in case I spill or those monkeys get too close.
• Baby- now that Teeny Tiny Tears (aka Baby) has a proper hole in her mouth, she deserves a proper outing into the big wide world.  She really likes watching The WotWots with me in the morning so I think she’d like to see animals up close and personal.
• Good Dancing Music- why do we have to listen to Radio 2 in the car Mummy?  I like to kick it…you know that!  How about some Black Eyed Peas or something?  Michael Bublé will do in a pinch but come on Mummy, you’re not Nanny & Grandad’s age!  Just give Radio 1 a chance.  Chris Moyles isn’t THAT annoying!
• CHOCOLATE- Mummy, I’m 17 months old.  You NEVER, EVER let me have chocolate!  My best friends get to have chocolate!  Buttons, bars…the lot!  I will be really good!  I promise.  Eating good things all of the time is not very fun.  I know I’m nice and healthy and strong and fit but come on Mummy!  Lighten up!

I think that will just about cover it Mummy.  And you can bring your usual Changing Bag Which Contains the World and we’ll all feel better for that!  Thanks Mummy…I’m really looking forward to going to the London Zoo again in two weeks.  I know you’re going to be meeting some of those other BMB Mummies but let’s make sure to get to see all of the animals this time Mummy.  Last time we missed a whole bunch.  Oh, and just so you know…I really love spending time with just you and Daddy.  You’re pretty good fun and you sure do love me a lot and you know what…I LOVE YOU TOO.  Thanks Mummy…you’re not so bad at this Mummy stuff.

Another Wednesday Writing Workshop Entry for the lovely Josie at Sleep is for the Weak