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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to take my baby with me?

95 replies

redwinefine · 13/02/2020 19:52

When I go to the petrol station I take my baby out of the car and in with me while I pay. My husband says I'm being ridiculous as I can see the car the whole time and am disturbing the baby unnecessarily. AIBU? It goes against the grain to leave my baby unattended!

OP posts:
Sirzy · 13/02/2020 19:54

I always use the pay at the pump when Ds is with me!

If your comfier taking him in take him in.

honesttogod · 13/02/2020 19:54

I never bring/brought my children into the petrol station with me. Always left/leave them in the car. I normally use pay at the pump when I can.

cherryblossomgin · 13/02/2020 19:55

I would do the same. I've no kids but petrol stations can be busy. Also if you lock a car when your not it in the baby could set the alarm off. Not judging people who leave baby in the car though.

Blackandgreenteas · 13/02/2020 19:56

I don’t think any one is unreasonable here! Pay at pump is the best option though.

Didntwanttochangemyname · 13/02/2020 19:59

There is no pay at the pump where I live, but the upside of being so rural is that I leave the kids (and the dog) in the car, the car unlocked, and go in to pay. I'll usually leave my phone in the car playing music or a story to them too.

DesLynamsMoustache · 13/02/2020 19:59

I think either is fine tbh. But yes, pay at pump is always the best option!

Hoik · 13/02/2020 20:00

It's personal choice but for me I always leave the DC in the car, if I do need to take them in for any reason then I park up first so I'm not taking them over the forecourt. Our local station doesn't allow any under 16s on the forecourt, if you get them out of the car then the staff come over the tannoy telling you to put them back in. If you want to take the DC in with you then you have to pull forwards into a parking bay next to the shop.

Herpesfreesince03 · 13/02/2020 20:02

You’re statistically more likely to put your children in harms way by making them travel across a petrol station forecourt rather than just leaving them in the car. If you can see your child then you should leave them

Enchiladas · 13/02/2020 20:07

Yanbu Op. I only use pay at pump when my baby is with me for the same reason. Don't think I could leave him alone in the car.

Bagofworries · 13/02/2020 20:07

Where are all these people who take their DC across the forecourt to pay for their fuel?
I have occasionally seen adults take children with them so that the children can buy drinks/sweets/snacks, but I dont think I have ever seen anyone taking their children simply to pay for fuel.
Is your baby in a car seat? Do you take them across the forecourt in their car seat?

Scarlettpixie · 13/02/2020 20:08

I never left DS in the car as a baby. I just carried him in his car seat. Whena toddler/ pre schooler I would refuel when he was awake so he could come in with me.

BecauseReasons · 13/02/2020 20:08

I'd leave mine in the car rather than expose a baby to all the petrol and diesel fumes.

Scarlettpixie · 13/02/2020 20:09

He is 13 and they didn’t do pay at the pump in my area then.

Sally872 · 13/02/2020 20:10

Yanbu if you are more comfortable. Dh is not unreasonable to leave baby in car at petrol station either.

Do what works for you.

Hypergear · 13/02/2020 20:10

@Hoik
I'm surprised any petrol station would let u16s on forecourt, none of my local ones do Confused

copperoliver · 13/02/2020 20:11

I would use pay at pump. But if for any reason I couldn't use pay at pump. I'd take baby with me. X

caoraich · 13/02/2020 20:14

Pay at the pump
If that's not an option then she stays in the locked car.
I think it's more risky taking my barely walking toddler across the forecourt.
I figure if she's safe in her seat when I'm driving then she's safe when stopped.

When she was v little I once had to put fuel in with no pay at pump on a long journey and I could see there was a very long queue inside. In that situation I put fuel in then parked in a bay so I didn't have to carry her over the forecourt

PenelopeFlintstone · 13/02/2020 20:14

I'm surprised any petrol station would let u16s on forecourt, none of my local ones do confused
Ive never heard of them not being allowed. More rules!

ZoomingCockerel · 13/02/2020 20:18

U16's are allowed ON a forecourt - they're just not allowed to pump.
Also, leave your baby in the car - it's much more dangerous to take them through the forecourt than to leave them in the car. Use your noggin.

Todayissunny · 13/02/2020 20:19

I think it's fine it as long as baby is happy and it make you feel more secure.
I had a toddler and twins - it wasnt an option then but I'm sure I never left ds1 in the car for a moment. There was no reason to.

Eeeeek2 · 13/02/2020 20:24

I prefer pay at pump especially as now I have a baby and toddler. I'd still take them both in if I had to go into the shop.

Mamabear144 · 13/02/2020 20:25

Am I the only one that thinks this is absolutely ridiculous? Never ever leave a child unattended in a car whether you can see them or not especially at a petrol station where there are fumes and explosives. I think its madness that there is even a debate whether the child should be left in the car or not.

YakkityYakYakYak · 13/02/2020 20:28

I always take baby into the shop to pay, never considered leaving her in the car and I just assumed everyone did this to be honest. I’m too paranoid really, I’d be worrying that a madman would smash the window in and steal her away.

BecauseReasons · 13/02/2020 20:31

I’d be worrying that a madman would smash the window in and steal her away.

It's actually quite hard to smash a car window. That's why people down in them. To be fair though, my rear windows are so tinted no one could tell what was in my back seat.

Never ever leave a child unattended in a car whether you can see them or not especially at a petrol station where there are fumes and explosives.

Surely they're safer from fumes and explosives (seriously? I mean when have you ever known a petrol station explode?) in the car than out of it?

Hoik · 13/02/2020 20:35

U16's are allowed ON a forecourt - they're just not allowed to pump.

Ours doesn't allow them. They have signs up and they call over the tannoy if you get children out of the car to tell you that under 16s are not permitted on the forecourt and to park in a bay if you want to bring children out of the car.

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