Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 14 15

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:

Deux · 15/05/2021 12:11

@mam0918 hundreds in my area who have to get on the public bus service to get to senior school. Tonnes in London who get on the tube to get to school .....

TheVolturi · 15/05/2021 12:11

I bet the kid turned out to be about 10.

Original poster

CindersCatsSister · 15/05/2021 12:12

Sorry, only just back from the shops now. For those asking, child was in a car seat with straps, he was ‘reading’ a large picture book. I only got a quick look at him as I obviously didn’t want to stare through the windows at him!!
His mum came back about 10 minutes after I posted. I didn’t say anything, but I’m glad I stayed anyway. I never left my kids in the car until they were secondary school age.

OP posts:

BellsaRinging · 15/05/2021 12:12

I used to travel to school alone from 10-18. Walk to the train, 10 miles to station and about a mile to school from there. Not that unusual. My son at 11 was taking the public bus back from school when he had after school clubs meaning he missed the school bus. About 8 miles. That's different to leaving a 5/6 year old in a locked car. I wouldn't have done that with ds1, but I would have done with ds2 who is very sensible and follows all instructions to the letter.
Could be that this is a single parent getting the vaccine or having an urgent medical procedure or who has just risk assessed the situation and thinks it's OK.

trappedsincesundaymorn · 15/05/2021 12:12

Who are the 'many' under 12 that travel to school via public transport alone

Most of the year 7's in the village where I live.

Toothdrama · 15/05/2021 12:13

It's been 2 hours... is the child still in the car starving hungry?

Has the op done anything?

Did this actually happen?

Was this a reverse?

So many questions

LunchBoxPolice · 15/05/2021 12:13

Op can see the child and thinks they are 4 or 5...

Random mumsnet user thinks child could “well be 8 or 9” ffs. It’s like a race to the bottom here to make excuses for shitty parenting.

SofiaMichelle · 15/05/2021 12:13

@grantoderek

Most hilariously typical MN post of the year. Not a real police officer, we are not worthy, instead look for someone with no qualifications or powers so the real ones aren't bothered. Don't go to A and E with a broken leg, ring up and speak to an unqualified moron using a computerized algorithm instead. Don't bother your GP, speak to the receptionist instead. It's like the 'real' people are sacred and mustn't be troubled. What is wrong with the UK middle classes

Well to be quite honest, if people called the police as often as MNers tell them to there would need to be a whole new division to deal with the calls.

Neighbour's fence is 2 inches into my garden - "call the police!" Etc., etc.

Bluntness100 · 15/05/2021 12:14

I’d have called the police on that and given the reg number. Leaving a child that age alone for 25 mins is negligent.

UnluckyMe · 15/05/2021 12:15

[quote SofiaMichelle]@grantoderek

Well to be quite honest, if people called the police as often as MNers tell them to there would need to be a whole new division to deal with the calls.

Neighbour's fence is 2 inches into my garden - "call the police!" Etc., etc.[/quote]
Yeh because child welfare is the same as a fence issue. Good comparison.

namesnamesnamesnames · 15/05/2021 12:16

@kowari

Who are the 'many' under 12 that travel to school via public transport alone? Many secondary school students. Some do not turn 12 for a full year.

Rurally where we live, they travel on a bus from 4.

Fixitup2 · 15/05/2021 12:16

@Bluntness100

I’d have called the police on that and given the reg number. Leaving a child that age alone for 25 mins is negligent.

Yep

Phoenix121 · 15/05/2021 12:16

@CindersCatsSister

Sorry, only just back from the shops now. For those asking, child was in a car seat with straps, he was ‘reading’ a large picture book. I only got a quick look at him as I obviously didn’t want to stare through the windows at him!! His mum came back about 10 minutes after I posted. I didn’t say anything, but I’m glad I stayed anyway. I never left my kids in the car until they were secondary school age.

Good on you for being a good citizen.

JeanClaudeVanDammit · 15/05/2021 12:17

If they’re happily reading a book then it’s highly likely they are older than you think.

81Byerley · 15/05/2021 12:18

@GreyEyedWitch

You're a busybody. The child is fine.

My husband parked his car, walked away, then heard a shout. When he turned round his car was on fire. Just one reason never to leave a child alone in a car.

MsFogi · 15/05/2021 12:19

We used to sit in the car for hours whilst my uncle went to the pub - some of my best childhood memories!

DigOutThoseLemonHandWipes · 15/05/2021 12:20

A child that is happily reading independently for 15 minutes is not 4! I think the OP has totally mis-judged their age.

Flowerlane · 15/05/2021 12:21

Mum may have been able to see child from where ever she was.
Child wasn’t crying or distressed from your post.

TheVolturi · 15/05/2021 12:21

@LunchBoxPolice

Op can see the child and thinks they are 4 or 5...

Random mumsnet user thinks child could “well be 8 or 9” ffs. It’s like a race to the bottom here to make excuses for shitty parenting.

Not making excuses at all. There are two children in my 8 year olds class that are the same height as my 4 year old, they look like reception children. It can be hard to tell the age of some children. The op did the right thing and it's exactly what I'd have done, but I think I'd have given the parent a piece of my mind as well.

SmidgenofaPigeon · 15/05/2021 12:23

@Cccc1111 I refuse to believe you were reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula at 5. You just weren’t.

LST · 15/05/2021 12:24

[quote SmidgenofaPigeon]@Cccc1111 I refuse to believe you were reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula at 5. You just weren’t.[/quote]
I was thinking this too 😂

PricklesAndSpikes · 15/05/2021 12:24

@CindersCatsSister

Sorry, only just back from the shops now. For those asking, child was in a car seat with straps, he was ‘reading’ a large picture book. I only got a quick look at him as I obviously didn’t want to stare through the windows at him!! His mum came back about 10 minutes after I posted. I didn’t say anything, but I’m glad I stayed anyway. I never left my kids in the car until they were secondary school age.

I think if you had mentioned that it was a child strapped into a car seat looking at a picture book rather than a child reading a book by themselves, you may have got different responses.

houseonthehill · 15/05/2021 12:24

"Everything OK, love?"
"Yes, Mummy. But a creepy lady was looking at me for a long time. I didn't look back."

UserAtRandom · 15/05/2021 12:25

@LunchBoxPolice

Op can see the child and thinks they are 4 or 5...

Random mumsnet user thinks child could “well be 8 or 9” ffs. It’s like a race to the bottom here to make excuses for shitty parenting.

Probably posts from parents whose children are always being mistaken as younger than they are. Someone asked DD if she was 10 the other day. She's 15!!

bonfireheart · 15/05/2021 12:26

@smidgenofpigeon Glad someone said it!

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 14 15