Child in supermarket foyer

[thewhalesaresinging]

This is a quick AIBU (in Chat...)
Needed to go to a supermarket which has a large foyer area with nothing but a bench in it, and one external door, and two internal doors, one to go in and one to exit, and the walk from the external door to the entrance door in a direct line is 3 metres away from the bench, even further for entrance/exit doors. Had 9 year old with me, didn't want to leave him in the car as it was very hot and not safe enough to leave engine on so that there is air con, and not safe to leave him outside as cars drive almost up to entrance of supermarket, so I sat him on bench inside in the foyer, which is airconditioned, with a handheld video game thing turned down low, and with a face mask on, while I went in and did shop. He sat and focused on game and didn't move or look up the whole time. Does that sound reasonable?

Sounds fine. In a years time he’ll be 10 & approaching the age where you start preparing for secindary school/going to places unaccompanied.

Sounds reasonable to me.

Sounds reasonable but couldn't you have left him in car with a window open?

Only thing is though the layout of the foyer. It’s understandable if a shop doesn’t wNt people clogging up the area at the moment if they are enforcing social distancing. The same could apply to an elderly/disabled person.

Yes. However, I'd have left him in the car with the windows open - or at home. Mainly to minimise any risk of him getting shouted at by someone.

I think I would have waited in the car and sent the 9 year old in to do the shopping 😷😁

Why didn't you leave him in the car with windows open?
Thought that would be much more sensible than leaving him with people walking past all the time.

Yes, I think you should have gone with leaving him in the car with the windows open.

Personally I can't see how sitting alone in a supermarket foyer, is any safer than being at home?

I'd been worried about someone walking up to him, sitting next to him etc.

Old enough to sit in a car.

The car with the window open was too hot - he is normally fine in the car but it was sweltering.

Personally I can't see how sitting alone in a supermarket foyer, is any safer than being at home? I'd been worried about someone walking up to him, sitting next to him etc Glass doors - I could see him from most parts of the shop. He wouldn't have let anyone sit next to him!

he is normally fine in the car but it was sweltering.

It’s April... in the UK

It's sunny but really cold here.

How hot was it out? And how would a 9 year old have stopped someone from sitting next to them?

Perhaps OP is not in the UK

I think it's fine. I wouldn't leave him home alone aged 9, and if it's too hot in the car, then you've made the best decision in the circumstances. The bottom line is someone will disagree because there are a lot of arseholes about. If you'd brought him in shopping they'd whinge. If you'd left him in the car they'd whinge. If you'd left him home they'd probably phone social services. You can't actually win, but given the circumstances you describe, I think you did the right thing.

Thanks shoofly

Thanks to everyone else who commented too.