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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Stuck in the car park AIBU?

369 replies

CindersCatsSister · 15/05/2021 10:19

Well this is annoying. Just got out of my car at the car park in the (small) town centre and noticed in the car next to me a child, looks to be about 4 or 5, by themselves. Quite happily reading a book but all alone. I thought oh I’ll just hang on here until his parent gets back but it’s been 15 fucking mins now and I’ve got shit to do. But I want to keep an eye on him in case (of what, I don’t know). Am I being (too much of) a busybody?

OP posts:
cupoftea2021 · 15/05/2021 11:29

@OwlinaTree

They must be quite an advanced 4 year old if they are quietly reading a book.

They might be a small older child?

Good point
Biscoffontoast · 15/05/2021 11:29

Call security/police. Nothing should shock me anymore but I can’t believe people think it’s ok to leave a young child alone in a vehicle! It doesn’t matter how ‘advanced’ or well-behaved they are. Some people really don’t deserve to have kids.

Mydarlingmyhamburger · 15/05/2021 11:29

So... what happened?

MindTheBumps · 15/05/2021 11:30

Can you see what book they are reading? I can't imagine such a young child sitting quietly reading.

nannyplums · 15/05/2021 11:30

I have a 6 year old who could happily sit and read a whole book, the child could be a small 6 year old but hell would need to freeze over before I would be willing to leave her in a car for that amount of time on her own!

Cccc1111 · 15/05/2021 11:30

@OwlinaTree I was one of those kids, I had reading age of a 12 year old when I was 5. I was reading tons of Enid Blyton, oh and Bram Stokers Dracula at that age! I would have just sat quietly and sensibly. But I was an 80’s child, leaving children in cars like that was normal back then.

Dishwashersaurous · 15/05/2021 11:31

Most four year old can't actually read a whole book. So could be a much older child

GoddessKali · 15/05/2021 11:32

I’d call 101 too - let’s them decide if it’s wrong - I can guarantee their answer seeing as people have been prosecuted for this when a child has then come to harm.
The parents are leaving the child vulnerable, therefore not providing adequate care.

cupoftea2021 · 15/05/2021 11:34

@Thomasina79

Gosh, in the past when I had a dog I would never have left her in the car and gone away, let alone a child. This poster is not a busy body but a concerned member of the public. There is too much looking the other way and not getting involved nowadays.
Not leave a dog in your car. Oh seriously people are to much now days Does the dog have anxiety or shopping to do
OwlinaTree · 15/05/2021 11:35

That's great to hear Cccc1111 but I think you will agree it's unusual.

Most 4/5 yo children are only just learning to read. Much more likely the child is 6+

UCOinanOCG · 15/05/2021 11:36

I wouldn't leave my dog in the car for 15 minutes on a warm day like today never mind a child!

Wilkolampshade · 15/05/2021 11:37

Good grief (totally off topic) but of course SOME 4/5 year olds can sit with a book for 15 mins. They may or may not be 'reading' it, it may or may not have any number of pictures.
Poor kid's probably pretending to read to avoid eye contact with the woman hanging around outside looking at her....

kowari · 15/05/2021 11:38

@Streamside

Very few cars nowadays would let you lock a child in without the alarm going off so I'd assume the cars unlocked. Phone the police and report it, otherwise you'll not be able to get it out of your head.
My 2009 car will let me lock someone in, not sure if there is an alarm.
looptheloopinahulahoop · 15/05/2021 11:38

@MintyMabel

I’m guessing that was a while ago

When the risks were just as low as they are now.

I used to sit in the car on my own and read, too. But I was somewhat older - 9/10. I do think 5 or 6 is too young.
Kazzyhoward · 15/05/2021 11:38

@Shoxfordian

It’s not your business so go about your day
Too many people do that, hence why there's so much crime.
looptheloopinahulahoop · 15/05/2021 11:38

@UCOinanOCG

I wouldn't leave my dog in the car for 15 minutes on a warm day like today never mind a child!
Where are you that it's warm?
CharlieSocial · 15/05/2021 11:39

Bollocks, I lock my kids in the car and the alarm doesn't go off

lydia2021 · 15/05/2021 11:40

It's illegal to leave under 12s unattended. Police matter.

kowari · 15/05/2021 11:41

@lydia2021

It's illegal to leave under 12s unattended. Police matter.
What country are you in? Do you have a link for that?
OwlinaTree · 15/05/2021 11:42

It's illegal to leave under 12s unattended. Police matter.

I've seen under 12s unattended. I don't think this can be right.

Ponoka7 · 15/05/2021 11:42

Last night I ran into Lidl just for veg. If I had have had a car parked outside it would have been out of my sight for a minute. While stood in the queue, looking out of the full glass windows, the till froze. So I was in there a lot longer, but could have left the queue and been out in seconds, if I needed to.
I've had people wait by my German Shepherd to try and give me a lecture. I knew my dog as this parent knows their child.

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 15/05/2021 11:42

I'd be calling the police. I wouldn't want it on my conscience if anything were to happen.

Erikrie · 15/05/2021 11:43

It's illegal to leave under 12s unattended. Police matter.

No it's not. There is actually no minimum age to leave a child unattended. It's down to common sense and what would be considered reasonable risk assessment.

tentimesaday · 15/05/2021 11:44

None of your business. Child sounds fine. Move on.

cupsofcoffee · 15/05/2021 11:44

@lydia2021

It's illegal to leave under 12s unattended. Police matter.
That's not true at all!
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