Leaving toddler in car

[rabbitsdontlayeggs]

Please settle this disagreement for me and my DH!

Leaving toddler (20 months) in the car while you go and pay for petrol. Would you do it? I would not (unless I was using pay at the pump, then I wouldn't get her out as I'd be stood right next to the car) but DH says he would and has. I'm horrified that he's left her and have said I really don't want him to do that again, he thinks I am ridiculous and 'it's only for two minutes'.

Who is UR?

[JohnLapsleyParlabane]

I do it. DD is not even nearly able to undo her straps and I think it's safer than trying to get her across the forecourt to the shop.

[trilbydoll]

Of course, a petrol station forecourt is far more dangerous with a wriggling toddler trying to escape than leaving them in the car. I lock it obviously, although I always think if anyone kidnapped dc they would probably bring them back fairly quickly

[celticmissey]

Shouldn't do it really... what if the car was stolen or another car hit the vehicle... has happened in the past...

[Nicketynac]

I leave mine. What is going to happen to them? I have my car keys with me so the car itself could not be stolen (the door is probably open though) and I can see the car through the petrol station window so would notice if someone tried to kidnap them.

[Nicketynac]

celtic but the car could easily be hit by another car while you were standing next to it putting the petrol in, or at any other time that the child was in the car.

[Lizzie48]

I did use to do that when my DDs were that age but only when they were actually sleeping. If they were awake they came with me.

[trashcanjunkie]

what would you do if you had 20 month old twins or triplets? I think you’re being over protective. As long as you are able to see the toddler I don’t think it’s wrong.

[ShutUpBaz]

Use Pay at Pump or leave them strapped in the car where you can see them at all times while paying. Much safer than dragging DC through a petrol station forecourt. I've always done it, as has my husband and our DC are 7 & 9. No kidnappings, crashes or stolen cars as yet!

[deepestdarkestperu]

My parents always left me in the car. Far easier (and safer) than trying to navigate a forecourt with a wriggling toddler!

[Iloveanimals]

I've done it but made sure I could see him at every moment. Equally as dangerous kids being out the car. They slip out your hand and run off, petrol about,cars moving etc.

[Orangebird69]

I always leave my ds in the car if I have to go to the kiosk to pay. He can't undo his harness and I lock the car most of the time so I don't really see the harm?

[PeaceLoveAndDixie]

I don’t think any of my four children have ever been inside a garage. Eldest is 14

[Spartaca]

I do and always have. Kind day 7,5 and 6 wks. Latter comes with me if awake.

We have a pay at pump nearby now so tend to use that

[Sparrowlegs248]

I do it. I'll also go to a petrol station if I need milk for example, so I don't have to haul the toddler and baby into a shop. I've never seen anyone take a baby or toddler into a petrol station to pay.

[yikesanotherbooboo]

Definitely safer to leave child in car...

[feckoffpeppapig]

I have 2 babies, 11 month apart, when I'm parking the car i have to leave one on the car while i take the other in house.
When my hubby is with me i wait for him to unlock the door then we grab a child each.....

If i needed petrol on my own then I'm afraid id have to leave them in the car. But tbh i just wait till hubby is off and we go together.

Also when shopping. Sometimes the trolley park isn't near the car.....i have to put the trolley back.....what do you do then

[lionguard]

Yes I would leave them in the car without a second thought, but three million threads on MN on this subject have shown me that some wouldn't.

Each to their own

[MoistCantaloupe]

What’s your main concern around leaving her?

[JennyLane]

I leave them in the car. If you can suggest a safe way for me to navigate a 4 year old, 2 year old and 9 month old across a forecourt and then pay for fuel and get them safely back in the car I'd be glad to hear it.

[Grimbles]

what if the car was stolen or another car hit the vehicle...

What if you were hit by a vehicle walking across the forecourt?

You could find danger in any scenario

[kittensinmydinner1]

Really ? Do people really have that level of anxiety. ? Perhaps they do . Perhaps this is a London big city thing. ? Don't think I've ever seen a parent do this where we are. .. sounds like an almighty faff.

[sausagepastapot]

I didn’t leave either when they were babies and would use pay at pump.

Once I had two and they could chat to each other (1 and 3) I don’t bring them in the shop anymore, and just watch them through the glass. Unstrapping two runners and dragging them across the forecourt is much riskier than legging it in on my own to pay.

[Brandbrandbrandy]

I’m with your DH here.

[NerrSnerr]

I always leave mine in. There is the risk of another car hitting yours, but there is the (in my opinion) higher risk of getting hit when walking across the forecourt.

I make sure I can see the car when I’m in the shop though.

[BusterGonad]

I always have left my son in the car and I think it's crazily ott to take them with you. I'd be pretty pissed off if I was waiting for a pump to become free while a crazy over protective parent had to re strap in 3 wriggling babies and toddlers as they couldn't bear to leave them for 3 minutes whilst they paid for petrol!