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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to leave kids in a locked, alarmed car in broad daylight, and dash to cashpoint for 2 minutes

175 replies

cilitbang · 18/12/2008 12:02

Is it realistically, really dangerous to do this? Has anyone ever heard of kids coming to any danger in this situation? Its a very occasional habit that I am trying to stop doing at all but am interested to hear of anyone who knows,realistically what danger a child could come to in this situation if its just for 2 minutes. Some nosey cow had a go at me for doing it this morning and I now feel so, so guilty.

OP posts:
TheVirginGoober · 18/12/2008 12:03

How old are they?

CuppaTeaJanice · 18/12/2008 12:03

Wouldn't the kids set off the alarm?

Original poster
cilitbang · 18/12/2008 12:04

2 and 3.5, alarmed from outside, so if someone breaks into it it sets it off

OP posts:
Tortington · 18/12/2008 12:04

call ss! dear god

Wispabarsareback · 18/12/2008 12:04

YANBU. Of course you're not.

ihatethecold · 18/12/2008 12:04

dont give yourself a hard time. someone would soon bring the kids back when they realise what they are like in cars

LilRedWG · 18/12/2008 12:05

Are they in your sight the whole time?

wingandprayer · 18/12/2008 12:05

Depends - are there crowds of paedophiles waiting on every street corner where you live ready to pounce in the minutes you are away from your car?

NewHollyOtherIvy · 18/12/2008 12:05

Cilit - tell the silly moo to mind her own business.
I'm assuming your DCs were still in view while you got your cash? And they could still see you and not get upset (if they're only tiny). You were only away for 2 minutes right?
I see no problem with that at all - better that than having to get both DCs out of the car, you can't hold both their hands (or carry them both) AND get your cash out... so much safer than taking the risk of them running off and getting run over or something.

LilRedWG · 18/12/2008 12:05

Are they in full sight at all times?

jumpingbeans · 18/12/2008 12:05

As long as i could see the car,i wouldn't worry

potplant · 18/12/2008 12:06

If you can see the car at all times then YANBU.

BibiJesus · 18/12/2008 12:07

To be honest, with a 4yo and two 16m twins it would take me roughly 20 minutes to get them all and the buggy out of the car to then push the buggy 10 yeards to the cashpoint, get my money and get them all back in the car. I've left them in the car for a 2 minute transaction, where I can see them and they can see me. Don't see how that's more dangerous than getting them out at the roadside anyway.
Obviously I'd not do it if the cashpoint was round the corner or where we couldn't see each other.

Original poster
cilitbang · 18/12/2008 12:08

No Lilred, they are not in sight, I have decided that from today I will never do it unless they are in sight....in my concious effort to be as neurotic as the next mum!

OP posts:
TheFalconInThePearTree · 18/12/2008 12:08

There are some concerns but the biggest concerns are to do with the children pressing,touching something in the car that could potentially harm them. Electric windows for example.
I'd be more concerned about that than the risk they;ll be abducted.

misshardbroom · 18/12/2008 12:08

If it's on a main road then I think they're safer locked in the car than having you load & unload them.

RGChristmasPargy · 18/12/2008 12:09

YANBU!! I do this with DD too (12 months) if i need to get cash out. I have to go to my local Asda to do it and park in a disabled bay to keep her in view about 10 yards away (if that) and i lock the car too. My only crime is parking in the wrong place for 2 minutes.

NewHollyOtherIvy · 18/12/2008 12:09

Falcon - the windows wouldn't work if the engine is switched off.

mumblechum · 18/12/2008 12:10

But if the engine's off, it doesn't matter if they touch the window buttons etc.

No prob if only 2 mins imo

TheVirginGoober · 18/12/2008 12:10

YANBU and the nosy old bag shouldn't be looking into your car.

crokky · 18/12/2008 12:11

Find a cashpoint you can drive right up to (ie within about 6 feet). My local petrol station has this so I could easily leave my 2yo and 8mo sitting in the car and have full vision at all times.

There is a risk with toddlers that they could escape from their car seats and eat something from inside the vehicle (like if you had a paracetamol in your glovebox or similar). So if you were right by the car, you'd see them escaping from their seats and would be able to do something.

TheVirginGoober · 18/12/2008 12:11

Most people do this when buying petrol, it is safer than dragging them around with you.

Original poster
cilitbang · 18/12/2008 12:12

I know, I know I won't do it anymore I'll always have them in sight. I asked my eldest if she wanted to come with me and she wanted to stay rather then come out in the cold and my 2 year old seemed more than happy to stay with his sister. I was literally 2 minutes.

OP posts:
Wispabarsareback · 18/12/2008 12:13

If you're only away for a few minutes, it's not the end of the world if you can't see the car at all times. Maybe I don't have a good enough imagination, but I just can't imagine what might go wrong in the 5 mins it takes me to pay for petrol or whatever while DDs are in the locked car.

PatienceRequired · 18/12/2008 12:14

I do it with three children 6yr, 3 yr and 10 months. I am even known to pop into the shop and leave them in the car. I debate each time i do it but the stress of getting them all out with buggy and getting them to walk nicely etc etc, is so waring.....
[Bad mummy emoticon]

I try to plan these kind of things around school runs when i dont have all three and therefore it is a little easier but sometimes you just cant help it.