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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave a 2 year old for 10 mins

726 replies

BlueSuedeStiletto · 27/04/2019 03:30

2 year old asleep in a cot they can't get out of. Needed to pop to the shops. 10 minutes away if that, child asleep the whole time, doors locked etc. Friend is horrified. WIBU?

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 27/04/2019 07:39

Got to worry about all those houses you see every day just bursting into flames

and the road accidents, and the masked gunmen holding up shops, and the parvts getting run over...

They are all unlikely but non of them can be ruled out.

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 27/04/2019 07:41

Got to worry about all those houses you see every day just bursting into flames

It doesn't have to happen every day though, does it? It only has to happen once. It may be the worst case scenario but it's possible and it's just one of many things that could go wrong.

ememem84 · 27/04/2019 07:43

I’m a fairly relaxed parent. But no way I’d do this.

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 27/04/2019 07:43

On there everyone leaves their 8 month old baby in the car for 20 minutes out of sight

Haven't seen the thread but I can't believe people think that's acceptable either. You wouldn't park up and leave your handbag or your smartphone/laptop visible on the front seat for 20 minutes so why the hell would anyone think it's fine to leave their baby??

converseandjeans · 27/04/2019 07:44

Not acceptable. I am fairly laid back too

InTheHeatofLisbon · 27/04/2019 07:44

There are millions of scenarios that "probably won't happen".

I've driven on motorways safely several hundred times, it doesn't mean I'll never have a crash.

I've crossed the road more times than I could count, it doesn't mean I'll never be run over.

Just because it probably won't happen is a ridiculous response.

Nobody ever thinks it will happen to them. But it does.

mrssoap · 27/04/2019 07:46

Never. I wouldn't even consider it. Anything could happen while ur gone, to you! And then what? No one would know ur child is left on their own.

MummyofTw0 · 27/04/2019 07:47

Absolutely not

Think of Madeline

Sleepyblueocean · 27/04/2019 07:47

Houses do just catch fire. Happened to my parents. Yes it is very unlikely but still a risk.
If you desperately need something you either wake the child and take them with you, phone someone to go and get it or arrange for a taxi driver to go and get it.

LotsToThinkOf · 27/04/2019 07:51

Idiot

Qweenbee · 27/04/2019 07:54

You just can't do this.

JellyCat1 · 27/04/2019 07:55

I wouldn't. What if something happens to you?

HolesinTheSoles · 27/04/2019 07:58

I've never had a car accident but I always wear a seatbelt and ensure my passengers do too. I always pay for car insurance.

seven201 · 27/04/2019 07:59

Not ok!

whyohwhyowhydididoit · 27/04/2019 08:01

Madeleine McCanns parents thought it would be OK too. And (statistically) for most of the children involved it was. But there is always the exception to the statistical norm and I wouldn’t take the risk.

Figgygal · 27/04/2019 08:03

No chance

Angrybird123 · 27/04/2019 08:03

I'm also fairly relaxed but two is almost the worst age to do this. It would be better (though still not OK) to do it with a 6m old who definitely couldn't climb out of the cot. I am less worried about spontaneous house combustion of choking but more much likely scenario that they wake up. If the shop was next door or 30 secs away then yes, tbh, I think it would be OK but ten mins is actually quite a long time.

Frazzledbutcalm · 27/04/2019 08:05

Guess OP has popped to the shops then coz she’s not been back on here ....

NEVER ok ....

VoteJadot · 27/04/2019 08:07

Nope. My MIL did this once when DH was a baby. In the five minutes she popped out to post a letter he was stung by a wasp in his cot and spent five minutes howling.

Also, you could be held up by any number of things, not all of them serious but still causing a delay. You could see an elderly person fall over, or drop your keys down a grating, or get stuck behind someone at the till for ten minutes.

happymummy12345 · 27/04/2019 08:09

Of course not. I hope you didn't do it.

mightskys · 27/04/2019 08:12

It's not just 10 minutes though is it, 10 minutes there, 10 minutes back plus time spent in the shop.

AlwaysCheddar · 27/04/2019 08:13

Great parenting .... not.

llewellyn25 · 27/04/2019 08:15

Definitely don't do it because sometime could happen to your little one or to you.

Pinkbutton85 · 27/04/2019 08:15

If you do it once you'll do it again. What if next time you're not so lucky?

Fully expecting this to be a reverse. Surely no one is stupid enough to admit to this and ask the opinion of thousands of other mothers?

nothinglikeadame · 27/04/2019 08:16

Don't so bloody irresponsible. Poor kid.

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