Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

At what age is acceptable to leave child locked in car whilst paying for petrol

81 replies

SuperWomanX4 · 26/10/2010 23:36

I personally have never left my child locked in car whilst paying for petrol as I go to ASDA which is only pay at pump. But I am curious as to what people feel is an acceptable age to leave them in the car - locked of course whilst you pay for petrol at the kiosk.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

VivaLeBeaver · 26/10/2010 23:38

I think it totally depends on the child and if they're happy with it then its the right age to do it. For some kids this could be 1 or 2yo, that they don't get stressed that the parent is not in the car with them for 3 mins, other kids might not be happy with this at 5 or 6.

childrenofthecornsilk · 26/10/2010 23:39

depends on where the car is and the petrol station. In some petrol stations you can park practically by the checkout.

ConnorTraceptive · 26/10/2010 23:40

Erm I've always done it, never occurred to me not tbh

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

VivaLeBeaver · 26/10/2010 23:42

The thing is nothing can happen to them, they're strapped in a locked car. The only propblem there could be is that they panic and cry, if they don't do this then its fine. I think I probably left DD from the age 2. Prior to that I must have got petrol when she wasn't with me as I don't think I ever took her out the car to go in the kiosk.

DancingThroughLife · 26/10/2010 23:42

I've never seen anyone take the kids into the kiosk while they pay... Unless it's for said kids to pick every chocolate in there a treat for on the way home

vicbar · 26/10/2010 23:42

Ive always left my kids in the car when paying for petrol.
I have 4 now DD 6 DS4 DD 3 & DD 14wks most of the time I pay with chip and pin but if thats not avaliable I lock the car and pay.
I've always felt this is safer than taking kids across a potentially busy forecourt.
Although mine have never been distressed by being left esp as I park as near to the paypoint as possible so they can see me.

childrenofthecornsilk · 26/10/2010 23:45

erm yeah what beaver said ... nothing can happen

LynetteScavo · 26/10/2010 23:46

I have always left mine (I think).

But if I were advising someone else, I would say when they are old enough to sensibly leave the car and find you without being run over.

RockBat · 26/10/2010 23:47

I've always left dd. When she was very small I used pay at pump but after about 6 months I went wherever and left her while I pop in. What's going to happen exactly?

Original poster

SuperWomanX4 · 26/10/2010 23:48

My son isn't clingy so he should be fine with me leaving for a few minutes should I ever need to go into a kiosk to pay. I know feel reassured that people won't frown uponme. Thanks

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 26/10/2010 23:49

I do leave them (together) in the car but I always worry about it. And it's totally irrational. In the event of a fire which is better, being in a car or walking across the forecourt? Probably no different I'd think.

I think it's all part of the general paranoia that comes with being a parent.

Original poster

SuperWomanX4 · 26/10/2010 23:50

I recently brought this up with a friend who has a almost 5 year old and she said she had never left him in the car, but to be fair he probably gets out with her now to get sweets!

OP posts:

Clary · 26/10/2010 23:50

I always left mine!

I never locked the car door tho, want them to be able to get out if need be.

Use pay at the pump all the time now so not a problem.

DancingThroughLife · 26/10/2010 23:51

I think a petrol station forecourt is one of the only places you can lock a child in the car without it being frowned upon tbh. At least by other parents anyway

Tikkabillajive · 26/10/2010 23:52

My dcs are 5 and nearly 3 and I still can't decide about this. I never leave one on their own as I think they are more likely to get worried, but if I have them both I find it really hard to weigh up the safety aspects of leaving them in the car vs getting them both safely across the forecourt. Either is bound to be stressful! But if they are together they are usually happy to be left so I most often go with that option - and then do a mad, panic-faced dash into the shop/garage!

bendybanana · 26/10/2010 23:54

I lock mine in and watch like an eagle BUT isn't it embarracing when the alarm goes off. If only they would sit completely still!

Original poster

SuperWomanX4 · 27/10/2010 00:00

bendybanana - LOL

OP posts:

NoahAndTheWhale · 27/10/2010 00:04

DS and DD are 6 and 5 and I leave them in the car if I can't do pay at pump. I will only lock the car if it is the one without the alarm as otherwise the alarm goes off and that is not good.

UnseenAcademicalMum · 27/10/2010 00:11

I think the logic is that your car could be stolen with dc's inside. I've always said if someone stole my car with dc's inside, they'd soon give it (and them) back .

That said, if I have them with me when I fill up, I do tend to use pay at the pump stations.

Clary · 27/10/2010 00:15

roffle @ someone stealing my car with my DCs inside.

Actually roffle at the idea of anyone stealing our car. Why would they want to?

I lost the key last week and wondered if had dropped it outside. (I hadn't). DH said "well if someone finds it and nicks the car...serves them right"

No seriously, why would anyone take a car with children in? And don't give me some example culled from t'internet, it ain't gonna happen.

IMoveTheStars · 27/10/2010 00:15

I think the answer is 'when you have more than one child'

I've never left DS, not sure I could do it (anxiety disorder and overactive imagination would involve scenario's of car catching fire or something stealing it and driving off before they realised there was a child in the back) The inconvenience is worth my sanity :)

I think there is a window where it is safe. I remember my Mum leaving us all in the car when I was about 8, and my sisters 6 and 3, and I took the handbrake off..

perpetuallypregnant · 27/10/2010 00:16

I always use our village petrol station whch is pretty small and I park right next to the shop so I can see the DCs.

If I'm on a large busy forecourt and I didn't have the teens with me I'd definitely take the baby with me to pay.

monstermissy · 27/10/2010 00:18

I take my 3 year old in and always have done, i have this silly idea that is the petrol station blew up we at least would need to be together lol its daft i know. Plus he can undo his seat belt and would climb around the car and fiddle.

PrettyCandles · 27/10/2010 00:21

About 1w old. Or sooner if you feel up to driving sooner.

Honestly! Nothing is going to happen to them - they're strapped in their carseat and the car doors are locked.

BubsMaw · 27/10/2010 00:23

I've always left my DC in the car while I go to kiosk, the faff and logistics of getting them out of seats, across the forecourt, herded along the line etc. makes it impractical to bring them along to pay. I remember being all anxious the first few times I left my first, and a particularly anxious time when I popped to the garage for some food but no fuel, I had to park out of sight of the kiosk windows in the dark (DD aged 2 was sleeping, otherwise I prob would have brought her in those circs). There was a huge queue and by the time I got back I had imagined pretty much every horrible scenario.

On the whole now I leave them with a cheery "back in a mo!" and they don't mind at all. I see other kids left all the time also.

Flip

1 2 3 4