Our Mini Staycation with BubbleBum

* We were gifted a BubbleBum. The opinions expressed are honest and come from my own brain and not cause someone told me to say it!

I just about managed to get myself and my budget in order to bring the kids away for a couple of nights. One problem, the logistics of three children to one adult is a nightmare. Enter sister extraordinaire to the rescue and we were all giddy for our little holiday. We decided to go to Kerry and stay in the institution that is the Glen Eagle. It would be a bit of a drive but Kerry is so worth it.

I drive a Nissan Micra and it has it’s advantages and disadvantages. It’s extremely economical and parking it is a dream. I can slot it into the smallest of spaces. There is no denying  however that it’s not exactly a cool car. I bought it new and so did every nun that lives in the greater Kilkenny area. The impact on my reputation was devastating. The major disadvantage is that I can’t fit my three in the back. Day to day, Kyle sits in the front with a booster. The air bag turned off and I don’t give it a second thought.

Heading to Kerry with my sister meant that we had a problem. Would we have to bring two cars just for that one extra person? Then I remembered I had been sent a BubbleBum and hoped that it would do what it said on the tin and allow all three to travel in the back together.

What is a BubbleBum I hear you cry?

It’s very important that you visualise me saying the next few bits like I’m the glamorous assistant on an american gameshow. 

BubbleBum is a portable, inflatable car booster seat. The worlds first inflatable backless booster, it’s designed for children from 4 to 11 years of age. Made from material that’s similar to that in life vests this narrow car seat is extremely durable. Ideal for smaller cars because it can allow you to have three children safely strapped in for every journey.

 The BubbleBum delivered on it’s promise.

I put my daughter in the middle on her highback booster and the boys on either side of her. This kept the boys apart and avoided violence mid motorway. It also gave them a place to rest their heads if they wanted to nap. I’m not going to lie, strapping them in and out is a nightmare because it’s a tight fit but so worth the extra couple of seconds for the long journey. The boys were fighting over who was going to get the sit on the BubbleBum so they had to take turns. They were so comfy in the back for the 3 hour drive.

I have to say I was impressed with the BubbleBum. You have to blow it up yourself and there’s a bit of a knack to it. There’s no valve to stop the air escaping so once you have it inflated (3/4 strong breathes)  you twist the seat quickly with the nozzle still in your mouth and that stops the air escaping. There’s a shoulder belt positioning clip that I think should be on every booster seat as well as side positioning clips. The seat belt sat so well against Finn on the journey down and the same with Kyle despite their different heights. They talk about sitting on the BubbleBum more than our visit to Muckross House and I wish I was joking.

 

 

The holly bops went without a hitch and I am already looking forward to next year. Kerry is such a beautiful part of the country and the hotel was amazing. I adored Muckross House and I hope to go back when they are older and less whingy. Maybe that never happens?! They even managed to get me into a swimsuit two days in a row. That might be my quota reached for the decade.

My cousin is after taking our BubbleBum with her to Holland because it was going to cost her €80 to hire a seat for her youngest. I was delighted to be able to give her a load of ours. She’s already text me saying she’s going to invest in one when she gets back. Well she better because she’s not keeping mine!!!

 

 

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