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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To pop into post office

20 replies

FlouncyDoves · 27/11/2017 10:30

I needed to post an item over the counter. So popped in to the PO and left my almost 2 yr old in the car seat. I could see her the whole time. She was fine, no crying, nothing she could choke on etc.

I told my DP and my parents the other day in conversation and they all told me I shouldn’t do it.

So WIBU?

OP posts:

Dsmummy · 27/11/2017 10:34

I wouldn’t do it, even for a minute. Someone can break into it in a heartbeat. It’s your choice but I’d rather not take any chances

FittonTower · 27/11/2017 10:36

I've done it, lots of people do it. While someone could break into your car that's no more likely than something happening to your daughter anywhere else. People have different perceptions of risk, I would do what you did quite happily OP, just because others wouldn't it doesn't make it wrong.

Dsmummy · 27/11/2017 18:30

Also I was once in a shop and they had someone steal something. The shop was then locked with all of us inside until the police came.
It’s not just what could happen to your child in the car but what could happen to you.
Each to their own

DearMrDilkington · 27/11/2017 18:31

I wouldn't but I also wouldn't bat an eyelid at someone else doing it.

ForalltheSaints · 27/11/2017 18:32

I would not given the appalling slow service at some post offices. You could think you are about to be served and then one of the people behind the counter leaves for their break or some other reason.

Iprefercoffeetotea · 27/11/2017 18:45

A very good point - post office service can be excruciatingly slow.

But otherwise, no I wouldn't do it, but we all have different perceptions of risk.

picklemepopcorn · 27/11/2017 20:01

I think it partly depends how desperate you are. When I had no support, I'd have done this. When I had the occasional opportunity to have five minutes to myself, I never did it.

RavingRoo · 27/11/2017 20:04

A 2 yo can come out of their car seat, unlock the car, and run out into the road. I’ve actually had his happen in front of me as I was driving - luckily I managed to stop in time and grab the child. The parent didn’t notice until the police were there.

Smarshian · 27/11/2017 20:06

I wouldn't but I also wouldn't think you were terrible for doing it. Each to their own.

Original poster

FlouncyDoves · 27/11/2017 20:14

Thanks all. A mixed bag. Didn’t think I was being that unreasonable. But I took my wife’s opinion into account and took her in with me today when I went again.

OP posts:

flingingmelon · 27/11/2017 20:26

I would. If I was confident my two year old couldn't get out of their seat.

I have parked my car hundreds of times and left it for five minutes. It's never been hit, spontaneously combusted, been hijacked etc etc. Admittedly it isn't a very desirable car.

But I leave DS in the car when I pay for petrol too. The chances of him running off on the forecourt and getting hit by a car is far higher than the chances of the car suddenly going on fire or being stolen.

Zeb81 · 27/11/2017 20:31

My aunt's handbrake was not engaged properly and her car rolled off with her two dads in the car, car was stopped by a passer by luckily. Also happened my uncle luckily with no kids in the car.

Bambamber · 27/11/2017 20:33

I wouldnt do it personally, but wouldn't think you were unreasonable for doing it.

Witsender · 27/11/2017 20:46

I would, and have done.

blaaake · 27/11/2017 20:52

Many years ago when I was a baby my mum used to park up outside the house and leave me sleeping in the hopefully locked car! I didn't die

Be3Al2Si6O18 · 27/11/2017 21:02

Despite the fact you could see your daughter, a whole range of things could have happened in a split second and you would not have been able to do anything about it.

Council could have come and towed the truck away thinking it had been abandoned.
US spy planes could have mistaken it for a parked Taliban truck armed with landmines and dropped a laser-guided bomb on it.
You might have tripped and fallen in the shop and knocked yourself out and rolled under the counter and laid there for three days before being noticed.

So YABVU

Be3Al2Si6O18 · 27/11/2017 21:04

And veloceraptors might have come parading down the high street looking for something to eat and you had the peanuts in your bag INSIDE the post office.

DontTouchTheMoustache · 27/11/2017 21:10

I frequently leave almost 2 year old ds in the car while i pay for petrol. It's no different really

lovelyjubilly · 27/11/2017 21:14

YABU as in my experience it is impossible to ever 'pop into' a post office. I can't remember the last time I queued for less than 20 minutes.

GummyGoddess · 27/11/2017 21:21

No, I can't even leave him in his car seat on our drive to run back into the house to grab something just inside the front door. He doesn't like being left in the car without me even as I walk around to the drivers side after strapping him in, but I probably wouldn't even if he was fine.

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