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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What age can I leave my children in the car while I shop?

162 replies

Tinseltower · 17/06/2018 15:21

Today I left my 9 and 7 year old i. The car alone for about 15 mins. Windows down, in the shade and mild day. Is this really irresponsible? Car wasn’t hot at all on my return, yet some people think I’m stupid for doing this.

What age would you leave your children alone for a short amount of time?

OP posts:
AnnieAnoniMouser · 18/06/2018 18:01

Yes because 7 & 9 year olds are always being abducted in the uk 🙄

Perfectly fine OP - you know your kids and their limits better than anyone. Just ignore any busybody passers by.

It’s no wonder kids at uni are struggling, honestly. Too much cotton wool all their lives.

Iceweasel · 18/06/2018 18:11

I would leave a child in a car at the same age I would leave them at home, as a minimum.

I would prefer to leave them at home as they can get a drink, go to the toilet, be less affected by hot and cold temperatures, have more things to do, and are less likely to have members of the public questioning if they should have been left.

Noqont · 18/06/2018 18:18

If we get a call regarding kids left alone in car it's an automatic police response and children are removed while we find parents and hand them to police for questioning.

Removed by who? Security? For a shop??

stayathomer · 18/06/2018 18:19

Why not leave them at home if it is only 15minutes?

Surely it's illegal to leave a 7 and 9 year old at home at that age? I think in Ireland the age is 13/14?

As for leaving them in the car, I really wouldn't, have been in a car in a shopping centre when another car has backed into it and I hate the thought of a child of that age having to deal with that when on their own. People are saying stuff isn't likely to happen, but that doesn't mean it doesn't.

Believeitornot · 18/06/2018 18:21

It wouldn’t occur to me to leave my dcs in the car. I’d take them with me. They need to learn that chores are boring but need to be done. That includes shopping.
Why leave them?

caithuait · 18/06/2018 18:22

In the 80s my dad used to leave me in the car when he was at the driving range. I was 6 and he would be gone for over an hour. Father of the year😂

stayathomer · 18/06/2018 18:22

I left my 3 year old in the car the other day with my 16 year old son and 14yr old son, was gone 10mins tops, was a chilly wet day not hot.
When I got back to my car there was a young woman staring at my car, I asked her is there was a problem, she called me 'bloody irresponsible leaving children's. So it seems any age under 18 is frowned upon

I'd say she meant because of the three year old

happinessiseggshaped · 18/06/2018 18:23

I do it with my 4 and 7 year olds outside the local shop regularly. For 5-10 mins. They can't accidentally start the car or take off the handbrake. The worst they have ever done is turn the music up really loud. However i live in a village, and there is usually someone around who could identify that the kids are mine. And enough sensible people to ask in the shop if there were a problem.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 18/06/2018 18:24

32 ... but only if they're sensible.

happinessiseggshaped · 18/06/2018 18:24

They are not the best at sitting still to be fair. However its amazing how well they sit still when they know I am buying food for their dinner and there is a possibility of treats.

Iceweasel · 18/06/2018 18:31

I'd say she meant because of the three year old
Three year old was with 14 and 16 year old, not alone. I would trust a 14 year old to be responsible for a three year old on their own.

Namechangedname · 18/06/2018 18:31

Never! Even if it's a small risk, it's one I'm unwilling to take.

God forbid anything happened, I would never forgive myself, or my stupidity.

And all for the sake of fifteen minutes' 'peace' 🙄

I don't get it.

Getoffthetableplease · 18/06/2018 18:35

About 12, before then is too young to deal with any other potential issues like car being smacked in to by another/a fire/some other kind of emergency. I think I'd want them to be old enough to have a phone etc (even if it's just to say 'mum hurry I need a wee'!). What if something happened in store and you got held up, or even collapsed for example, would anyone even know about your children in the car? Just because some people do, it doesn't mean you should.

Orangecake123 · 18/06/2018 18:38
DroningOn · 18/06/2018 18:38

Our eldest is 8 and max 4/5 mins to pop into the local co-op is as much as I'm comfortable with

DroningOn · 18/06/2018 18:41

And yet, when I think of the stuff I did/ was allowed to do at 8 I wonder if I'm just overprotective and stifling their own self sufficiencies etc

letsallhaveanap · 18/06/2018 18:43

I think about 10/11 but it would depend on the child... because if leave the car keys with them so they could get out of the car to come find me/alter windows etc if they needed to.
So I would not do it unless I had a sensible child who I could trust with the car keys.
And obviously would only do it if they asked to be left, not just because they were asleep or to save me time.... as in those situations it could be distressing for them.

My parents used to leave me in the car with the keys whilst they went shopping all the time from around that age.... unless I wanted to come out with them. Mostly I just wanted to listen to my headphones or read my book in the car.. not traipse round a garden centre.

Abandoned · 18/06/2018 18:47

'Snake' was released on the Nokia 6110 in 1997 - The same year the game was designed.

2blueshoes · 18/06/2018 18:53

I'd wait till they're older.

littleducks · 18/06/2018 18:58

The replies on these threads make me laugh. My 9 yr old was catching bus then walking home and letting himself in with a key (elder sister there few minutes before or after so he needed own key). So yes would leave him alone in car briefly. Or leave him home. Or send him walking to shop alone.

Really worrying if NT child can't be trusted not to play with handbrake.

Namechangedname · 18/06/2018 18:59

The 25th of fucking never !

Yep, the 25th of Neveruary Grin

ltk · 18/06/2018 19:01

Never.

enike · 18/06/2018 19:02

7 and 9 is fine
but I would rather take them into the shop

if they are okey to be left alone they are okey to take them to the shop quickly (meaning: well behaved normal children will not cause trouble and hysterics, neither in the car not in the shop)

I think leaving a child alone home is legal from 10 years old?

lots of parents here seems to think their children are hopeless losers and will not cope alone

the horn thing? its more likely for the 3-4 years old.... honestly, a 7 and 9 would do the pressing of all buttons?? what kind of children we are talking about? special needs? or the parents are special needs?

stayathomer · 18/06/2018 19:12

www.gov.uk/law-on-leaving-your-child-home-alone

stayathomer · 18/06/2018 19:13

Very open to interpretation really!