Taxi with kids : Ride Safer vest or alternatives?

[katetherate]

I am racked with fear and guilt every time my 4 and 2 year olds travel unrestrained in taxis. (Well, on my and my husband's laps with the seatbelt around their waists. Which is probably just as, or more, dangerous than simply being held...)

I'd rather use proper car seats but it's hard enough getting about with two kids and a stroller without added luggage to deal with. I've been reading about the Ride Safer vest and it sounds good but I'm after some opinions on using it in Singapore taxis.

Do you use a Ride Safer vest?
Are they easy to use in taxis - quick to connect properly to seatbelts?
Do you have an alternative to recommend?

Any advice would be most appreciated!
Thank you.
Kate

[hbw65]

I am also interested, but we looked at the Ride Safer and it's for an older child. It's not appropriate for our almost 2 year old. What do people use from age 2 - 3/4 in taxis here?

[tanusa]

I am racked with fear and guilt every time my 4 and 2 year olds travel unrestrained in taxis. (Well, on my and my husband's laps with the seatbelt around their waists. Which is probably just as, or more, dangerous than simply being held...)

I'd rather use proper car seats but it's hard enough getting about with two kids and a stroller without added luggage to deal with. I've been reading about the Ride Safer vest and it sounds good but I'm after some opinions on using it in Singapore taxis.

Do you use a Ride Safer vest?
Are they easy to use in taxis - quick to connect properly to seatbelts?
Do you have an alternative to recommend?

Any advice would be most appreciated!
Thank you.
Kate

Hi Kate,

I have a Ride Safer vest for my five-year-old daughter. I have mixed feelings about it. We bought it for when we travel overseas and can't bring our usual carseats with us. (I'm in the US now. Will be in Singapore the end of the year.)

It's very small and can fit in a backpack or tote bag. Once you get used to it, it's easy to use. It does have a latch belt to use on the latch hook behind a seat (the third hook). I think you're supposed to use it if the child is under a certain weight. This is fine for US cars, but we've found very few cars overseas have the latch hook. My daughter's weight is high enough now that I don't think it's required for her, which is better. She can now just use it with the seat belt

The down side of the vest is it's not completely comfortable. My daughter is fine with it for short trips. But after about 30 minutes or so, she starts complaining. It requires a strap to go between her legs, which scratches her is she's wearing a sundress, etc. It can also be tricky to get a good fit. I often feel like it's not on properly.

It's the only option I've found for kids her age. It's not perfect (at all), but is better than nothing. For my two-year-old, we use a Sit-n-Stroll carseat/stroller, which is ok.

[hbw65]

a person in my playgroup here uses the Joey Safe Freedom Rider for their 2 year old. They deliver to Singapore:

http://www.joey-safe.com/

I would like to purchase one and it says if we purchase two the price is $39 USD vs. $47 USD.

Anyone interested in teaming up to save a little $$$?

Let me know!

[mizza]

I use a Joeysafe for my 16 mth old son. It fits him fine, but it is time consuming to put it on him properly, as the buckles aren't the easiest to adjust quickly. I put it on him in my condo then he is ready to hop into the taxi. I figure it is worth the effort, as ultimately it may save his life. It has also taught him that in a taxi, he sits still on the seat.

I cant wait to one day own a car again!

[movingtospore]

I would be interested in ordering two of those, one for my two year old and one for my five year old. The taxi situation here is stressing me out and I've heard it can be more dangerous to have them in a poor fitting seat belt than in no seat belt at all.

[hbw65]

perhaps we if we order 3, we can get more of a discount? I just emailed them to find out. Will PM you with details.

[hbw65]

My american friends also use the Sit N Stroll, but it's very bulky and not even sure they ship here:

http://www.lillygold.com/

[mrshamilton]

but I would also be interested in getting a Joey for my son. We arrive mid-November...let me know if you've ordered already and I'll make my own arrangements.

[batgirl_cdn]

Thanks so much for posting about these options. Will check those out for out little guys, since we don't plan on owning our own car here.

[hbw65]

unfortunately, they haven't gotten back to me so maybe easiest if everyone just takes care of their own.

[yokogi]

I use a Trunki Boostapak (www.boostapak.com) for my 3.5yo gal although the min age stated is 4yo. And i sort of put my arm around her when in the cab. Better than having nothing at all It's convenient to bring out when i'm alone with her as it also acted as a booster chair for dining as well as a backpack for her handy items.

[movingtospore]

That Boostapak looks great. Where did you get it? I haven't seen it in Singapore.

[yokogi]

Yep, you are absolutely right. I was wondering how long it would take. At least you did post it were it belongs. But you cannot refer to the classified ad here in the forum either - moderator

[expatbostonians]

I'm the mom of a 2 year old. We always ensure that she has a lap belt on, and that she stays seated (usually by bribing her with an iTouch loaded with elmo and pre-school games) and that seems more than sufficient.