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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you leave your baby/toddler in the car while you pay for petrol?

65 replies

Drummend01 · 30/04/2023 17:39

It’s middle of the day, the car is locked and you can clearly see it the whole time. There isn’t a pay at pump option. There’s hardly any queue so you know you’ll be less then 5 minutes. Would you leave your baby or toddler in the car while you go and pay?

OP posts:
Figgygal · 30/04/2023 17:39

Yes

Paperbagsaremine · 30/04/2023 17:40

There was a thread on this subject just a few weeks ago, wasn't there?

IamAlso4eels · 30/04/2023 17:42

Yes. Our nearest petrol station doesn't allow children on the forecourt so if you want to take them in with you then you have to pull forwards into one of the parking bays which is a faff, plus there are only two bays. A child/baby in a locked car is much safer there than being carried across the forecourt.

IhearyouClemFandango · 30/04/2023 17:43

Of course

Botw1 · 30/04/2023 17:43

Yes of course

It's utter nonsense to take them out the car

HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 30/04/2023 17:44

Do a search and you'll find about five million threads on this. Most people think it's fine. The ones who don't can never come up with a better reason than the children might spontaneously combust while you're in the garage.

SomePosters · 30/04/2023 17:45

This comes up every few weeks.

Some people apparently lug their babies car seat out every time 🙄

This is a parenting call you have to make.
None of us can see how far it is from your car to the cashier or know if you’ve an escape artist toddler

Anyone remember the thread with the mum whose dh had asked them not to do this and caught them at it so took the baby out of the car seat to teach them a lesson. Always wondered if that was a wind up

YourUserNameMustBeAtLeast3Characters · 30/04/2023 17:45

No. I know the risk is so tiny as to be negligible, and probably more risk dragging a toddler across the petrol station forecourt, but I wouldn’t leave my handbag in a locked car in full view, and my small children were infinitely more precious.

Also I used to imagine some car careering in and crashing into my parked car, which is also highly unlikely.

Emmamoo89 · 30/04/2023 17:46

Yes

Botw1 · 30/04/2023 17:47

@YourUserNameMustBeAtLeast3Characters

Surely you must also imagine a car wiping you all out as you drag them across the forecourt for no reason?

YourUserNameMustBeAtLeast3Characters · 30/04/2023 17:49

Botw1 · 30/04/2023 17:47

@YourUserNameMustBeAtLeast3Characters

Surely you must also imagine a car wiping you all out as you drag them across the forecourt for no reason?

Ah yes but then I’m there and can take preventative action. It was the watching helplessly from afar that was the fear.

Denise82 · 30/04/2023 17:50

I've never taken my children into a garage to pay for fuel and never have I ever seen anyone else doing it.

Botw1 · 30/04/2023 17:50

@YourUserNameMustBeAtLeast3Characters

I see.

I doubt you'd be able to take any preventative action but it's all irrational either way

Fandabedodgy · 30/04/2023 17:51

Of course.

Under 16s shouldn't be on the forecourt.

Vegetus · 30/04/2023 17:52

Done it just an hour or 2 ago. It's a hard enough fight to strap him once I'm not repeating the process again a mile down the road.

cardibach · 30/04/2023 17:53

YourUserNameMustBeAtLeast3Characters · 30/04/2023 17:45

No. I know the risk is so tiny as to be negligible, and probably more risk dragging a toddler across the petrol station forecourt, but I wouldn’t leave my handbag in a locked car in full view, and my small children were infinitely more precious.

Also I used to imagine some car careering in and crashing into my parked car, which is also highly unlikely.

You e said yourself the risk in taking them out is bigger. Just on that basis you shouldn’t.
The handbag thing is silly. A purse is attractive to all thieves. A baby? Very niche.

Lennybenny · 30/04/2023 17:55

The cars locked. No-one can get in. You can see the car 95% of the time. I always left my 2 in the car. It would take longer to undo, get out and walk than just paying.

Buebananas · 30/04/2023 17:58

What are people worried about? Someone stealing their child?Confused

I have always left my toddlers in the car when I purchased petrol. Don't think I locked the doors either.

Buebananas · 30/04/2023 18:01

but I wouldn’t leave my handbag in a locked car in full view, and my small children were infinitely more precious.

It might be precious to you, but I bet a thief would prefer the money in your handbag over a screaming baby Grin

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 30/04/2023 18:02

Yes. Used to do it all the time.

Capitulatingpanda · 30/04/2023 18:04

Yes. Not taking small kids across forecourt into petrol station.

nomoredrivingytu · 30/04/2023 18:07

Yes

nomoredrivingytu · 30/04/2023 18:08

YourUserNameMustBeAtLeast3Characters · 30/04/2023 17:45

No. I know the risk is so tiny as to be negligible, and probably more risk dragging a toddler across the petrol station forecourt, but I wouldn’t leave my handbag in a locked car in full view, and my small children were infinitely more precious.

Also I used to imagine some car careering in and crashing into my parked car, which is also highly unlikely.

Frau

Wowzel · 30/04/2023 18:08

Yes, and I don't know anyone in real life who wouldn't leave them in the car in this circumstance

PinkPlantCase · 30/04/2023 18:11

If he’s awake I carry him with me because he’d get upset in car on his own.

If he’s asleep I leave him in.