Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
GabsAlot · 13/02/2020 20:37

Didntwant you leave the car unlocked is that wise they could get out or someone could get in

00100001 · 13/02/2020 20:45

Not this again!
Brings out the best hyperboles.
only on MN would a toddler escape the car seat, crawl to the front,r release the hand breake, wave merrily tomum as they roll down a hill, running ovr some nuns, crashing into a sick one, where the dicks take flight, scare an old man into falling over, which causes a 12 yo to trip up and break his leg.

Where as in the real world...

Hoik · 13/02/2020 20:48

You forgot about carjackers.

And the car bursting into flames.

And the entire petrol station igniting into a fire ball.

BecauseReasons · 13/02/2020 20:50

where the dicks take flight, scare an old man into falling over, which causes a 12 yo to trip up and break his leg

Poor old man. I'd be frightened too!

Grin
MrsJBaptiste · 13/02/2020 20:52

@Bagofworries I was just about to put the same thing!

I was honestly expecting this poll to be 99% YABU but no! I have never seen a baby being taken into a petrol station with their parent and I'd be pretty pissed off if I had to wait to get to the pump while that parent then faffed about getting the baby back in the car.

And yes, they would be faffing as if they're so precious as to take the little darling into the shop then they would take ages making sure they were then tucked back up in the car. Madness!

Littlemeadow123 · 13/02/2020 20:53

Not everyone has pay at the pump though. The petrol stations near me don't because I live rurally.

rwalker · 13/02/2020 20:53

Ether is fine but would be mindful if there a que and you are holding people up get DS in and out of car seat .W
hat seem like a minute to you will seem a lot longer to someone sat waiting for petrol pump whilst you get him back in.

MuchTooTired · 13/02/2020 20:57

I have twins, so have always left them in the car. Would make a 2 minute task a half hour job taking them in with me!

Slith · 13/02/2020 21:03

I work at a petrol station - I'd say it's about 50/50.

SquigglePigs · 13/02/2020 21:06

As a general rule I use pay at pump to avoid the decision but otherwise I'd take 14 month old DD in with me as she would be hysterical by the time I got back if I didn't. Not ideal, but I'm not going to leave her to get distressed when there's a simple solution to avoid it.

carly2803 · 13/02/2020 21:07

so when some dickhead with his phone sets off a fire or whatever and you cannot get to your child in a locked car?

it happens.. or someone smashes into your stationary car?

take your child in OP - i do, as for "toddlers"- PICK THEM UP!

Isawthathaggis · 13/02/2020 21:08

@Mamabear144
Yes, you are in a small group of people who think it’s a good idea to walk across a forecourt with a child.
I can’t believe it’s up for discussion - Babies, dogs, small children and anyone else who doesn’t need to leave the car should stay in the car.

TheOrigBrave · 13/02/2020 21:08

especially at a petrol station where there are fumes and explosives.

If the petrol station is going to explode I think I'd rather have my child with me than in the locked car. That said, I have never in my nearly 50 years seen that happen in real life and always left my kids in the car.

vdbfamily · 13/02/2020 21:12

I had a 3 year old, 1 year old and newborn. Of course I left them in the car. I to have never seen an adult bring a baby in with them to pay for fuel....literally never!!

AngelsOnHigh · 13/02/2020 21:13

You're doing the right thing.

When my DC were babies (back in the days of one car families) I would always fill up with petrol when DC weren't with me. Or, DH would fill up when he was alone.

Same as with my DGC. I would never dream of leaving them alone in the car for any reason for any length of time.

Anyway, aren't we all going to be driving electric cars in the next 5 years????

BecauseReasons · 13/02/2020 21:15

so when some dickhead with his phone sets off a fire or whatever and you cannot get to your child in a locked car?

Brainiac did a myth busters type thing on this. A mobile phone will not ignite petrol. Nor will a lit cigarette placed directly in a pool of the stuff.

It happens

When?

BecauseReasons · 13/02/2020 21:18

If the petrol station is going to explode I think I'd rather have my child with me than in the locked car.

Because your arms are more protective in the event of an explosion than the car would be? To be honest you're fairly screwed either way not that the risk is high enough to even warrant mentioning

Dandelion1993 · 13/02/2020 21:20

I take my children in when pay at pump isn't available.

I hate leaving them in the car there.

TheOrigBrave · 13/02/2020 21:28

Because your arms are more protective in the event of an explosion than the car would be?

I could certainly run and take cover with my child in my arms more quickly than I could return to my car, unlock it, unstrap baby and then run.

BecauseReasons · 13/02/2020 21:32

I could certainly run and take cover with my child in my arms more quickly than I could return to my car, unlock it, unstrap baby and then run.

Explosions take seconds. Unless you're The Flash, you're running nowhere in sufficient time.

BecauseReasons · 13/02/2020 21:32

*Or Quicksilver, from the X-Men universe.

BecauseReasons · 13/02/2020 21:35

*Or Superman, I guess. But you may not have time to remove your disguise first. Of course, it wouldn't matter because then you could fly around the earth backwards, thus changing history, and prevent the explosion in the first place...

Deadringer · 13/02/2020 21:37

What is the danger in walking across a garage forecourt? Assuming you treat it the same as a road, ie hold the child's hand and check both ways first. What am I missing?

ChristmasCarcass · 13/02/2020 21:38

Some of you may want to google “gas station explosion”, and then re-think your Backdraft style fantasies of leaping to safety over the screenwash and disposable BBQs with a toddler under each arm.

NotStayingIn · 13/02/2020 21:41

I love Mumsnet so much! This post makes it seem like going to fill up your car is akin to wandering about in Syria.

OP just do whatever you feel comfortable with, either option will be completely fine. Smile