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AIBU?

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Original poster

To leave my son alone in the car?

89 replies

anxiousmumy · 11/04/2024 09:58

This morning I took my daughter to school and had to bring my 10 year old son, who is ill with a sickness bug but mostly OK in himself now but following 48 hour rule, as I have no childcare. Normally DH is working from home so I could leave him but not today so this was a new situation for me.

I made the split second decision to leave him in the car per his wishes (belted in the back. Parked up in car park) doors locked, as it was hammering down with rain. He was out of sight for maybe around 3 minutes as I ran my daughter to the gates and back. When I got back to the car I saw a woman sat in a car opposite looking a bit judgmental and now worried it could constitute as neglect and be reported. didn't think there was any specific law /age and I have never left them before, I wouldn't do it with my DD who is 7.

I'm wondering if I've done the wrong thing and what the general consensus is here?

OP posts:
Universalsnail · 11/04/2024 10:05

He 10. I would have left him at home if it was a quick trip. Totally fine to leave him in the car

TipsyKoala · 11/04/2024 10:04

It’s fine at that age. As long as they’re old enough to know how to unlock the car from the inside in an emergency.

PuttingDownRoots · 11/04/2024 10:04

10 is fine.
People can be bad at judging the age of children though. I was reported for leaving a "small child" in the car at the supermarket. It was my 10yo who had just finished rugby training so was coveted in mud... thought it was better not to bring her in!

VainAbigail · 11/04/2024 10:04

Your anxiety is lying to you.

Calm down and think rationally here.

pinkyredrose · 11/04/2024 10:04

Why didn't you leave him at home if he's ill instead of dragging him out?

Sahara123 · 11/04/2024 10:04

A 10 year old ? Of course it’s fine !
Also how can you tell if someone’s looking a bit judgmental, particularly in the rain, in a car ? Maybe she was having a bad day, or planning what’s for dinner tonight, I think you’re overthinking this a bit !

Joyettan · 11/04/2024 10:03

10 months no 10 years old absolutely. It is fine as long as they have something to sick up into.

We had some Mums in agreement that if a child was sick they could drop the healthy child off next to my car/their car and the parent would take in both sets of children. But parking was a nightmare so lots of us parked a 5 minute walk away which is why we had this arrangement.

MamaGarl85 · 11/04/2024 10:03

I agree with others...would definately leave a 10 year old in car under these circumstances. I might even have been inclined to leave them at home if I wasn't going to be long!

YeahComeOnThen · 11/04/2024 10:03

Totally fine.

He's 10, not 2

no idea why you mentioned strapped in, in the back? At ten it's irrelevant.

AnxiousRabbit · 11/04/2024 10:02

I would have left him at home at 10 unless I was likely to be more than an hour or he was still unwell.
Leaving him in the car is perfectly fine.

theresapossuminthekitchen · 11/04/2024 10:02

Totally fine. You were acting in his best interests - you couldn’t leave him at home alone and it would have been very unpleasant for a sick child to hurry out of the car, in the rain, to drop a sibling off at the gate. Frankly, I’d happily leave a 10 year old alone in the car for a few minutes (assuming they’re happy) just to pop into a shop, etc.

Original poster
anxiousmumy · 11/04/2024 10:02

TheShellBeach · 11/04/2024 10:00

A ten year old?
I'd say that's fine.
I thought you were going to say a toddler.

He's 10 with the height of a 12 year old, so the woman probably thought he was older than 10 too. She gave me the dirtiest look, unless it's just my anxiety lying to me.

OP posts:
TheShellBeach · 11/04/2024 10:00

A ten year old?
I'd say that's fine.
I thought you were going to say a toddler.

AnneLovesGilbert · 11/04/2024 09:59

At 10?!!! Absolutely fine. Hope he’s better soon.