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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Baby left alone in car

153 replies

ChickenGator · 22/11/2024 00:49

I was on my way to pick up my son from school when I walked passed a car with a baby inside.

I did a double take and noticed he was on his own and felt uneasy walking off and leaving him there.

So I waited there for a couple of minutes to see if anyone came, maybe they'd rushed back in the house to get something.
The car was parked on the street and I knew in front of a house with a driveway with another car in the driveway.

After another minute or so I knew I was going to be late to pick up my son, so I built up the courage to knock on the door.

She answered pretty quick and I asked is that your car on the street and she said yes to which I replied I was just checking because there's a child alone in there.

She then gets a bit annoyed and says I know I'm checking on him which seemed weird since I had been hanging around a while and the windows at the front on the house were covered by blinds

So I said ok and starting walking back down the drive to which she then calls me rude.
I turned back and said I was genuinely concerned for the child and by the way he's awake and walked off.

When I walked back home after collecting my son the child was no longer in the car.

Am I mad for thinking this is crazy. I remember when mine were that age? Transferring them out of the seat would always wake them but I'd never considered leaving them on their own in the car. Many times I sat in the car whilst they slept.
The car wasn't even in the drive it was on the street! I've been thinking about it all evening.
It's a quiet residential street but still...

OP posts:
Lalalalalalalalalalaoohoohwee · 23/11/2024 23:06

If we don't want to wake a sleeping child when we get home then one of us stays in the car with them, and it's parked on the driveway in direct sight of our living room window. I hate the idea of them waking and being alone.

SmokeyToo · 24/11/2024 06:19

Depends where you live, too. Several kids die every summer in Australia because they are left in cars for "a few minutes". I'm not being dramatic, but the poor little buggers literally cook to death.

buybuysellsell · 24/11/2024 06:32

I am a pretty relaxed parent and happy to take the occasional measured risk but I cannot believe people leave their baby in a car where they can't see them.

Front doorstep with a brew and an eye on the road I totally get, but inside your house while they are outside in the car?! Bonkers. Absolutely not worth the risk.

People break into cars all the time without a key and without triggering the alarm. Children go missing. It's your job as a parent to look after them, not leave them alone in full view and swan off inside.

Well done OP for doing the right thing.

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