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Original poster

So what's the usual way to go about filling up a car when you have a baby with you?

81 replies

MrsFogi · 26/07/2006 13:10

Dumb question but as I've managed 6 mths without doing so I figure I'd better work it out now - so, at the garage, once you have filled up, do you leave the baby in the car while you pay or do you take baby with you?

OP posts:
iota · 26/07/2006 15:04

BTW The local Asda has a pay at pump only forecourt - no kiosk

bakedpotato · 26/07/2006 15:08

And this is why, even though I passed my driving test 2 months ago, I continue to travel avec les enfants dans le bus.
(sorry if french is crap, I am prepping for my holiday)

Piccalilli · 26/07/2006 15:12

I get dh to do it, that way he has to pay too

BonyM · 26/07/2006 15:15

On the whole I'm with bundle.

I would never leave dd2 alone in the car (she's 16mths) - not least because she would get upset if I did. I carry her even though she can walk, and therefore there is no danger.

Dd2 (8) I would leave, as long as I could see her.

BonyM · 26/07/2006 15:16

Mind you, having said all that, I usually pay at pump.

Bozza · 26/07/2006 15:21

I leave my 5 yo in the house for 30 mins at a time while I am in the garden and my 2 yo is asleep.

HappyDaddy · 26/07/2006 15:41

I'd stay in the car and get dd (2yrs) to do it for me.

Jimjams2 · 26/07/2006 15:48

I was paying at a petrol station once (having left all 3 in the car- I don't take ds1 into shops full stop), and the cashier started ranting about someone taking their child (3ish?) out of the car. She kept saying "I've told him about this before his child is at the right height to get sprayed with petrol, he always gets him out and it makes me so cross". He came in as I was going out and she started having a go at him.

bundle · 26/07/2006 15:53

hello jimjams

are you back? or didn't you go?

Jimjams2 · 26/07/2006 15:55

I went, but had to reregister (hence the 2) to delete messages. Then as everything had calmed down stayed.

bundle · 26/07/2006 15:56

great, I'm really pleased

Jimjams2 · 26/07/2006 15:58

Thank you!

FioFio · 26/07/2006 16:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

FioFio · 26/07/2006 16:07

This reply has been deleted

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Medullathestalker · 26/07/2006 16:42

I remember my mum and dad leaving me and my 2 brothers in the car when we were kids. Dad had parked in a car park next to a river. We started fighting (as we usually did when we were left) and my brother fell onto the handbrake. Car rolled back over the curb and remained balanced on the curb until my parents returned! The river was right behind us! We laugh about it now but could have been sooo different.

Original poster
MrsFogi · 26/07/2006 17:32

Gosh, turn my head for a couple of hours and I have the most responses I've ever had to one of my dumb first-time-mum questions!

OP posts:
lazycow · 26/07/2006 18:04

Interesting - in the US I always paid at the pump but in the UK this isn't as easily available .

I would in theory leave ds in the car but in the year we have been back from the US, I have ALWAYS filled the car up when DS is not in the car. This has meant some late trips to the petrol station after he is in bed and Dh is home. Or I fill up on the way to work (on 3 days a week). I suppose I must be more worried about leaving him in the car than I imagined I would be.

I have always been someone who is good about keeping enough petrol in their car though and I appreciate that I am not a single parent and dh is sround enough for me to do this without inconveniencing me too much.

If I did have to fill up with ds in the car though I would leave hin in the car (I think !!)

mousiemousie · 26/07/2006 18:12

Whst ever is said here - most people actually do leave their kids in the car while they pay.

I have NEVER seen anyone do otherwise and I think it's quite paranoid to carry your baby out of their comfy seat into a pay kiosk and back again. Do these people take their kids into the bathroom at home every time they need to wee? Or are they able to leave them for 2 mins in a home environment without fear?

tissy · 26/07/2006 18:16

Pay at pump. Our local Asda has it, as well as drive through.

Medullathestalker · 26/07/2006 18:20

Good idea but not everyone has access to a pay at the pump garage though.

bubbaloo · 26/07/2006 18:52

Lol MousieMousie.Totally agree with you-seems ridiculous to take a baby/small child in when paying for petrol.Infact I left DS in the car(locked!)only today,while I ran in to pay for petrol!

mummydear · 26/07/2006 19:00

Eldest Ds is nearly 6 DS2 is 4 have left them in car since day one.

As long as a watch ful eye is kept. By the time some potentail abductor undoes a baby's seat belt round the car seat and gets the car seat out , you would be on top of them anyway or least someone lese would be if you shouted and screamed.

Never ever heard of a child being killed in a petrol station crash or had spontaneous combustion. !!!!!! MOre likely unfortunately to ge run over by petrol tanker on way to school !!

Anyway taking the kids into a petrol station with you is causing more havoc , they see sweets crisps etc etc. I want I want ....

Never though twice about it and doubt whether i ever will .

We must get a life ladies !

Dottydot · 26/07/2006 20:48

Ditto - have always left ds's in the car while I pay for petrol - wouldn't consider all the palaver of taking them out, putting them back in. I lock the doors though and keep an eye on them from the window. Sorted. Wouldn't leave them in the car to nip into a shop though - I think the difference is that at a garage the car's parked off the road, which somehow makes it feel safer (possibly skewed logic but it works for me).

pesme · 26/07/2006 20:54

leave them in the house! the petrol station is probably only 30 mins away tops. get in some sausage rolls and fruit shoots and leave the tv on, they'll be fine.

WideWebWitch · 26/07/2006 20:54

I leave mine in the car too (8 and 2yo) but mostly end up getting petrol when I'm alone.