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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have left DS asleep in the car?

268 replies

HelenLaBloodyAnnoyed · 14/03/2019 22:30

Today I took DS (14 months) swimming. The pool is only a two min drive from school so I thought he'd make it and then could nap after but the poor little thing was absolutely exhausted and snoring by the time I arrived at school. I parked in the school car park and waited until I saw children from my DDs class leaving, then sprinted to get her leaving DS in the car. The car was out of my sight for less than 30 seconds. WIBU?

OP posts:
Friedspamfritters · 14/03/2019 22:32

I've never done it personally but loads of mums at DC's school do this (and not even as quickly as it sounds you did) and I've never judged them. I can't even think why it would be dangerous.

Waitingonasmiley42 · 14/03/2019 22:33

I would do it and have done similar things in the past.

SkinnyPete · 14/03/2019 22:35

30 seconds... Not unreasonable. And you did it fully aware that you needed to move quickly.

rainbowunicorn · 14/03/2019 22:39

I used to do it all the time. I am sure though you will get flamed shortly I imagine. These threads always bring out the loons. They will be telling you there is a child snatcher hiding in every school car park and cars randomly catch fire the second your back is turned. Don't forget the possibility of you either being hit by a bus or dropping dead from a heart attack the second that the car is out of sight.

In all seriousness it is fine to do this.

Original poster
HelenLaBloodyAnnoyed · 14/03/2019 22:41

A TA saw me returning to the car and told me it was a safeguarding risk and that she would have to report me to the school Hmm Funny thing is, there's a mum who regularly arrives at speed with her DC unrestrained and despite numerous reports, nothing has been done about her.

OP posts:
Eatmycheese · 14/03/2019 22:44

No I wouldn’t have done this
I have been in this situation many times with two of my three children. Tough, they just get woken up.

mrsmuddlepies · 14/03/2019 22:50

I was at a sports event once where a mum left her child asleep in the car in the car park. The announcer refused to start the event until the parent collected the child. She then had to do the walk of shame in front of hundreds of parents.

Original poster
HelenLaBloodyAnnoyed · 14/03/2019 22:51

I didn't see why he should be made miserable, which in turn would make his siblings miserable, for the 5 hours until bedtime Eat.

OP posts:
Eatmycheese · 14/03/2019 22:54

Rather he be made miserable then something dreadful happen.
Yes the chances are unlikely, however in my mind you are no different from a mother ruminating that it’s ok to pop to the shop over the road and leave her sleeping baby in a house alone just to get a loaf or bread.

You are obviously niggled by it and rightly so. Instead of trying to justify it just don’t do it again , it’s not worth it.

UrsulaPandress · 14/03/2019 22:57

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Blue09 · 14/03/2019 22:57

I’d have done the same. No different to paying for fuel. I also park outside our local shop and go in for milk occasionally whilst my son is sat in the car. No way am I wrestling him back in his car seat, screaming and lashing out at me for the sake of milk!

LaBelleSauvage · 14/03/2019 23:00

OP don't worry. You're fine Smile

If the car was locked and you were only gone a few seconds I think it's completely okay.

Also if you were hit by a bus it's probably better you weren't holding your baby...

GunpowderGelatine · 14/03/2019 23:00

you are no different from a mother ruminating that it’s ok to pop to the shop over the road and leave her sleeping baby in a house alone just to get a loaf or bread.

Oh dear, do we have to explain to you why this is completely different?!

Only on MN do children ever spontaneously combust/get abducted by aliens/choke to death on air whilst asleep in a locked car for 30 seconds. IRL most people do leave them in for short bursts, same for petrol stations, I've never seen a child be dragged in but in MN land if you leave your child in the car while paying for fuel they'll DEFINITELY set on fire.

You'd love me BTW - if DS is asleep when I get home I've been known to leave him in the car and go inside the house so he can have a proper nap (he wakes if I take him out the car and is a whinge bag for the rest of the day due to a short nap). We have a bay window that I sit at watching TV, the car and his seat are adjacent to the window so I look over every now and then to check he's ok or awake

GunpowderGelatine · 14/03/2019 23:01

With the window slightly open of course Grin

ScrumptiousBears · 14/03/2019 23:03

Personally I wouldn't, and have never done this. I am not a loon by the way. Why call people names just because they don't agree with you Hmm

LaBelleSauvage · 14/03/2019 23:03

Gunpowder but what if your car exploded?

LaBelleSauvage · 14/03/2019 23:04

I'd say take him inside with you.... but what if your HOUSE exploded?

Eatmycheese · 14/03/2019 23:05

How is leaving a car with a sleeping baby in a car out of sight in a street any way appropriate? Or remotely the same as going to pay for petroleum though I personally think that is questionable and would not leave a baby to do so. At least in a petrol station you can see your car at all times and it is culturally and perhaps marginally considered acceptable in terms of risk, as opposed to walking away and being unable to see you car. And having to i quote “sprint” back.

Anything could happen to you. You might have got there and your child have been unwell, something to attend to etc.

If it makes me a loon for stating this I am delighted to be considered mad as a box of frogs.

GunpowderGelatine · 14/03/2019 23:07

How is leaving a car with a sleeping baby in a car out of sight in a street any way appropriate?

If that's a response to me (sorry it wasn't clear if it was or it!) he's not on the street. We have a secure driveway with a lockable gate and high fences.

GunpowderGelatine · 14/03/2019 23:07

@LaBelleSauvage I know, what if I exploded Shock

LaBelleSauvage · 14/03/2019 23:08

Oh god I hadn't considered that.

I'd suggest wrapping in cotton wool but it's so flammable

Eatmycheese · 14/03/2019 23:09

Gunpowder your explanation is totally pitiful and incorrect.

Let me explain something to you, it might help. If the OP had been seen and someone captured and reported it she would have potentially been in hot water.

And if you chose to sit watching your baby sleeping in a car on your drive that’s your choice. You didn’t leave him out of sight. Two of my three have been whinge bags as you so eloquently put it. Still wouldn’t leave them alone in a car and walk off down the road.

GunpowderGelatine · 14/03/2019 23:11

Gunpowder your explanation is totally pitiful and incorrect.

Right. Except I didn't give an explanation Confused

Two of my three have been whinge bags as you so eloquently put it.

I sometimes call him an arsehole if that's a word you prefer Grin

Still wouldn’t leave them alone in a car and walk off down the road

Sorry who said they'd done that?

mum11970 · 14/03/2019 23:12

Did it numerous times when my children were small.

LaBelleSauvage · 14/03/2019 23:15

Mum11970 but did they explode?