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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

that toddlers should bot be left in the car during school run

60 replies

foxyloxy78 · 19/03/2017 12:24

Just that. Seems like loads of parents are doing this bow. Leaving smaller toddler siblings in the car whilst they collect the older DC.

OP posts:
LoginInformation · 19/03/2017 12:30

for how long?

It's not a blanket 'no' from me but maybe I'm less judgemental than you...

Astro55 · 19/03/2017 12:33

Doesn't bother me either - usually busy car park and lots of kids milling around - much safer in the car

Notso · 19/03/2017 12:34

This is something I find interesting. I live really close to a primary school and lots of parents park outside my house and along the street. I would not have left my babies/young children sleeping in the house while I went to pick up older DC but people often leave babies and toddlers sleeping in their cars outside my house.
To me the house seems safer than the car but it's obviously unacceptable to leave them alone in the house.

Original poster
foxyloxy78 · 19/03/2017 12:40

They leave them along for probably around 15 mins. The school issued a note in their newsletter asking parents to not do this as it is unsafe but people do it nonetheless...I personally would not leave my DC alone in the car or at home at that age. They are babies and toddlers.

OP posts:
Icantstopeatinglol · 19/03/2017 12:41

No I wouldn't at all.

soapboxqueen · 19/03/2017 12:42

I think that entirely depends on the set up and geography of the school etc. I leave my youngest in the car dd 4 if she is asleep as I could not carry her. However, at my ds's school we can park at the gate, and the children are brought out to the gate for us to collect.

I probably wouldn't be doing that if she was out of sight or a significant distance away.

LuxCoDespondent · 19/03/2017 12:44

Depends on how hot it is. In winter I don't see a problem, the toddler is probably safer in the car than outside it - can't run into the road etc. Also people are less likely to break into a car with a child in it.

Original poster
foxyloxy78 · 19/03/2017 12:48

The school is inner city and you need to park on a street and walk up I to the school. Another couple of minutes until you're outside the class room for collection. Most definitely out of sight.

OP posts:
SprogletsMum · 19/03/2017 12:49

I do this at school pick up/drop off. But, I park next to my sister and another school mum and one of us will stay with the 3 cars with dc in whilst the other 2 pick up or drop off. It works well and the dc aren't left totally alone.

Original poster
foxyloxy78 · 19/03/2017 12:55

Sprocket that sounds sensible that someone is always with the DC.

OP posts:
ImFuckingSpartacus · 19/03/2017 12:56

I do it.
Can't say I give a shite what you think about it.

NataliaOsipova · 19/03/2017 12:58

Wouldn't do it on a City street, but regularly used to leave DD2 if she was asleep in the car in the grounds of the school while I went to get DD1 from the classroom. Safer than trying to carry/navigate a sleepy toddler through lots of parking and departing cars.

WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup · 19/03/2017 12:59

Not your kids so don't let it worry you.

DoubleR · 19/03/2017 13:01

I wouldn't but that's because my 3 year old DS has been able to open his seat buckle for ages. He climbs over into the front of the car and messes with the buttons etc when I'm taking in the shopping. He's ended up head down in the footwell before now so I never leave him in the car alone it's just not worth it.

DoubleR · 19/03/2017 13:02

Also, don't you have to leave the car unlocked when you do that so the alarm doesn't go off when they move inside?

SaucyJack · 19/03/2017 13:04

Are the kids awake?

Pure laziness if they are. I'd judge.

Florrick · 19/03/2017 13:09

It depends on many things. I used to if I could see the car, I was only going to be a few minutes, the weather blah blah

We watched The Replacement last night and NO WAY would SS be involved in an incident such as portrayed. They are overworked and understaffed - I hope people don't think that would happen in RL.

apotheke · 19/03/2017 13:11

YANBU if you mean leaving them parked on a street while they walk into a school for 15min. Different perhaps if it's in the school car park and they are asleep. And I do leave my toddler in car at petrol station and in small shops where you can park in front of a large glass window as discussed on another similar recent thread.

I walk older DD to school and never see this though, despite walking past all the parked cars. Everyone gets them out and drags them round.

But don't get me started on the number of small kids I see in the front seat on just a booster or nothing at all!

Original poster
foxyloxy78 · 19/03/2017 13:17

SaucyJack, yes the kids are awake and often watching videos on patents mobiles.

Apotheke, yes they leave them for 15 mins unattended, go into school so kids in car is out of view.

OP posts:
FutureMrsRanj · 19/03/2017 13:22

I do

Shadowboy · 19/03/2017 13:26

Depends on the set up. Can car be seen from the school playground? What is the temperature? How long for? When I was in primary school my little brother was left in the car for 5 minutes. She would wait until she saw the classroom door open then get out, meet me and walk me back to the car. She did this for 3 years until I started secondary school (when I walked to school)

ImFuckingSpartacus · 19/03/2017 13:26

And has anything happened to any of these poor, neglected, at risk children?

OddBoots · 19/03/2017 13:29

If the parents stay in line of sight then I don't see the problem, if they aren't able to watch then it is neglectful in my opinion.

MikeUniformMike · 19/03/2017 13:30

What if someone crashed into the car, or a toddler dropped the handbrake, or a toddler or baby was abducted?

gamerwidow · 19/03/2017 13:33

I wouldn't in these circumstances. It would be different if they were parked up in the school car park and the car was in view. Fwiw my CM brings all 3 under 3s she's minding into school in a triple buggy everyday to pick up my Dd. If she can manage that then you can manage with 1 toddler.