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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

BecauseReasons · 13/02/2020 21:42

What am I missing?

Why walk them across said pseudo-road, forcing them to breathe in the exhausts of various vehicles and petrol/diesel fumes as you do so, slowing down other pump users if they're toddling alongside you and causing delays to the cars waiting behind while you fanny around with car seats to remove them and then return them before driving off, if you don't have to?

Scotmummy1216 · 13/02/2020 21:46

I pay at pump when have them in car but only petrol station that can't do that is small and can watch them while paying. Feel my toddler is in more danger of getting run over by a car than a pump exploding etc.

PinkShinyFlowers · 13/02/2020 21:49

Do what you want, and are happy with, I left mine in the car.
It’s entirely up to you.

Aridane · 13/02/2020 21:52

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

Deadringer · 13/02/2020 22:04

I understand that you could be delaying other people BecauseReasons but people are implying that it's dangerous and I am curious as to the dangers.

Hamouchi · 13/02/2020 22:04

I would do the same tbh. I leave my kids 9 and 4 in the car but now I have a 4 months old I ask my dh to do it at the weekend so I don't need to, 😅

MoaningMinniee · 13/02/2020 22:05

Dear OP. You are being a bit PFB. Your beloved will be much safer strapped up in your car while you pay for fuel than being carted across the forecourt. MN I've been off sick for a while... the hive mind seems to have got a bit silly. This Vote should never have got so even.

BecauseReasons · 13/02/2020 22:14

but people are implying that it's dangerous and I am curious as to the dangers.

Unnecessarily being in a place where cars are rolling around? Inhaling carcinogens?

BecauseReasons · 13/02/2020 22:17

I've had a quick Google for you and apparently several adults have been run over at petrol stations over the years by fuel thieves trying to drive off without paying.

RandomWok · 13/02/2020 22:21

I managed a petrol station for a bit. I'd definitely leave my kids in the car. For some reason, some people lose their ability to drive on a forecourt or use their eyes. 🤷‍♀️ I've see more people run over on the forecourt than cars crashing.

Hoik · 13/02/2020 22:22

but people are implying that it's dangerous and I am curious as to the dangers.

fumes
spillage can be a slipping hazard
several cars concentrated into a limited space with minimal room for manouver, also the possibility of drivers presuming it is 'safe' and not paying due care and attention
juggling a small child and/or car seat, keys, bag, etc across a forecourt environment as described means that pedestrians may not be paying due care and attention either
taking children out and the fastening them back in creates unnecessary delays which can lead to cars queuing, the higher numbers of cars/queues/engines idling causing more fumes make all of the above more hazardous.

Lazypuppy · 13/02/2020 22:26

When dd used to sleep in the car, i'd go put a fiver of petrol in and get what i needed from the tesco garage so i didn't have to wake her up,

CaptainNelson · 13/02/2020 22:27

I think that if a petrol station is going to explode, it's not going to make a blind bit of difference where you are...

BecauseReasons · 13/02/2020 22:31

I think that if a petrol station is going to explode, it's not going to make a blind bit of difference where you are...

Exactly. And if we're worrying about extremely unlikely events, what about the risk of the petrol station shop itself being robbed at knife or gunpoint? Happens far more frequently than petrol station explosions do.

Sofonisba · 13/02/2020 22:33

but people are implying that it's dangerous and I am curious as to the dangers

In my mind, absolutely any danger, 100% of all dangers, no matter how small the chance, are a far greater risk to my baby if I'm not with them. So I would take mine in with me just for peace of mind.

Branster · 13/02/2020 22:34

I always took mine with me - no pay at pump near where I lived at that stage. I never entertained the idea of leaving young children in the car.
Also, I tried as much as possible to get the car filled with petrol when I was on my own or DH would do it for me.

amazedmummy · 13/02/2020 22:38

I wouldn't want to leave him in the car but for fear of being judged I'll just use pay at pump.

londonrach · 13/02/2020 22:38

Safer in the car than on the fore court accoding to staff when ive asked whats best. I try and do pay and fuel but not always possible. Dont think theres any right or wrong here

SEE123 · 13/02/2020 22:40

Either pay at pump, or I take DS in with me. Annoyingly have had to wake him to do so once or twice. Personally I wouldn't leave him in the car unattended. Someone could steal the car, or smash into it. Highly unlikely I realise, but not impossible.

MrsP2015 · 13/02/2020 22:42

I only use pay at pump for this reason.

If not I'd do exactly what you do. Fuck the people who don't like it/ have to wait longer for the pump etc.

My precious baby would be with me. Same if I went to a cash point.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 13/02/2020 22:44

I don't think your supposed to take children out into the petrol station forecourt are you? I honestly, in all my years going for fuel, can't recall ever seeing anyone do this. Do you take the baby out while you are putting the fuel in the car?

CocoLoco87 · 13/02/2020 22:46

This is absolutely baffling me... not the debate itself (I leave my 3DC in the car if I can), but the mythical Pay at the Pumps you all seem to know about I'm 32 and have been driving for 12 years and I've never come across one...

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 13/02/2020 22:49

but the mythical Pay at the Pumps you all seem to know about confused I'm 32 and have been driving for 12 years and I've never come across one...

What! Where do you live? 😂

PyongyangKipperbang · 13/02/2020 22:50

6 kids over 21 years, never done it and never will (youngest DC is 8), far too much faff. I can be in paid and out again in the time it would have taken to unstrap them (until recently always had at least 2 in 5 point harnesses and 4 kids in the car) never mind herd them into the shop!

Might be doable with one, but as soon as #2 comes along its a different ball game, I suspect you will change your mind then!

avacadooo · 13/02/2020 22:51

Ah good old mums net making me seem like worlds worst mother 😂
I leave my baby in his car seat in my car and lock the door if there's no pay at the pump, takes a minute to go in and pay and I can see the car the whole time and there's cctv everywhere so he's fine, warm and probably sleeping.

Plus if a petrol station exploded everyone on the forecourt and in the shop would be dead in an instant.

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