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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave sleeping child in locked car?

312 replies

Wouldyoudothisiwonder · 04/12/2022 11:05

Went to supermarket to get prescription for DD(2) and she fell asleep on the way. Would you lock the car and leave her sleeping while you run in? Or not?

OP posts:
Chickpea17 · 04/12/2022 11:06

Absolutely not.

Tukmgru · 04/12/2022 11:06

Jesus Christ, do not do this. FFS, are you joking??

Bedazzled22 · 04/12/2022 11:07

Never leave a child. So many things could happen. Somebody could crash into the parked car, get into the car…. Why risk it?

Endwalker · 04/12/2022 11:08

If you can see the car from the shop then yes, no different to leaving them in the car while paying for fuel.

If you can't then no, especially as she's asleep so isn't aware you've just popped in for a few minutes.

Keyansier · 04/12/2022 11:08

I don't have children but going by the first responses, is this bad? I can't see any harm in this.

Original poster
Wouldyoudothisiwonder · 04/12/2022 11:08

It would be locked, and the chances of someone crashing into the car are tiny but fair enough. I just really don’t want to wake her if I can avoid it.

OP posts:
CryCeratops · 04/12/2022 11:09

I’d only do this if I could see the car at all times. Which is very unlikely to be the case for a pharmacy inside a supermarket.

Endwalker · 04/12/2022 11:09

Wouldyoudothisiwonder · 04/12/2022 11:08

It would be locked, and the chances of someone crashing into the car are tiny but fair enough. I just really don’t want to wake her if I can avoid it.

The crashing into the car thing is ridiculous really, the chances of a car crashing into your parked car are no higher than a car crashing into you while you're driving (if anything they're probably lower).

girlmom21 · 04/12/2022 11:10

Bloody hell don't leave her. Either wake her or collect the prescription later.

BatshitandBonkers · 04/12/2022 11:10

Not.

People did do this when I worked in retail.
Other concerned shoppers phoned the police or reported it to staff and they would phone the police. No one knows if the driver is going to be away 2 minutes or 42 minutes. You don’t leave children alone in a locked car in a car park fgs.

I’m assuming this is something DH, or someone else you know, did rather than something you actually contemplated doing?

Bedazzled22 · 04/12/2022 11:10

Someone crashed into my car once when it was parked outside my house. As a previous poster has said if you were able to see them eg if you were paying for fuel that’s ok but not to go into a supermarket. You be at least 10 minutes. To many what ifs? What if she wakes up and is distressed.? Just not worth it.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 04/12/2022 11:11

Nope. If it was a shop in a garage I used to do this with mine, or on the drive but not a supermarket.

Marblessolveeverything · 04/12/2022 11:12

No you don't leave a two year old in a car. Please if you think it is get parenting support because you are thirty years behind what is acceptable and possibly legal.

Nicnak2223 · 04/12/2022 11:12

Are you sat in car now waiting for someone to tell you to wake her or leave her?

Dontaskdontget · 04/12/2022 11:12

No. I live in a civilised wealthy town with very low crime but recently a car was set on fire by arsonists in a supermarket car park during the daytime. Plus over last couple of yrs there were some cars that caught fire because of engine problems.

You pick her up and go in with her asleep (or angry) in your arms, or you sit in the car with her until she wakes up.

JoyfulGirl · 04/12/2022 11:12

Not a chance

Original poster
Wouldyoudothisiwonder · 04/12/2022 11:12

@BatshitandBonkers no, I’m sat here with her asleep in the back - she’s not been well and I don’t want to wake her and the chances of her going back to sleep are probably up there with me winning the lottery - and I don’t do the lottery.

I mean I would leave her if someone was sitting in the car with her and I guess someone could equally crash in the car then, but obviously I don’t want her to wake and be frightened. Just trying to weigh up best case scenario. I can see myself still say here at 2pm!

OP posts:
Whiskeypowers · 04/12/2022 11:13

Fucking hell you are actually mulling this over ?

Gawdimold · 04/12/2022 11:14

Can you ask someone to run in for you

Original poster
Wouldyoudothisiwonder · 04/12/2022 11:14

Yes, Whiskey, just trying to work out what the best thing is to do. The pharmacy is right near the entrance of the supermarket, it would probably only be a five minute job - but points taken.

OP posts:
Endwalker · 04/12/2022 11:14

Do you have a blanket? Get one of those shallow trolleys, put the folded blanket in to pad it, gently lie her down in the trolley then push her in asleep (have done this a time or three!)

Original poster
Wouldyoudothisiwonder · 04/12/2022 11:14

@Gawdimold would the pharmacy accept it from another shopper? I could maybe try to ask someone with a kind face, thank you Smile

OP posts:
cadburyegg · 04/12/2022 11:14

No, I wouldn't do this. I'm a single mum and sympathise with how frustrating it is to have to drag the kids everywhere, but you can't leave them in a car at that age. I leave my children in the locked car if I go and pay for petrol, and if I stop at my local corner shop for something, but that's because I can see the car from the shop. Also, I only do it now my kids are a bit older (4 and 7).

Original poster
Wouldyoudothisiwonder · 04/12/2022 11:15

@Endwalker i wouldn’t get away with that sadly - she’d definitely wake up.

OP posts:
lookersnoopy · 04/12/2022 11:15

Not just a sleeping child, a sleeping sick child?

Absolutely not.