At what age is it appropriate to leave a child in the car at a petrol station?

[possum18]

I have 14 week twin babies and it's a small inconvenience to lug them both out the car and into the shop when I pay for petrol so I tend to head for the stations with pay at pump, I really don't mind getting them out and carrying their seats in other places though.
Today I was with a friend and I went to fill up and asked if she would wait in the car with the boys whilst I paid. She wanted to get something from the shop and asked why I don't just leave them in the car.
I was a bit they are so tiny, it's so hot today and you never know how long you can get held up for.

I'd never leave them in the car at this young age, but it got me thinking - when does it become acceptable? I really don't know the answer to this and I promise I'm not bei?ng judgey. I'm genuinely interested to know your thoughts.

I left them all in the car from day 1. Safer in the car than moving across a busy forecourt, inhaling fumes. I always locked the car and watched them from the window.

I did it from birth. It never occurred to me not to TBH.

From birth. Far safer than crossing the road with car seats! Windows a bit open and they'll be fine :)

Oh no have I been an awfully precious first time mum

I would have left them from birth ( now age 7 and 4) I do remember getting twitchy if there was a wye and would be desperately wishing the cashier to hurry up in my head but I really would not have carried a car seat/ baby across a garage forecourt- too much faff and potentials much more dangerous

From birth.

Think back to the time before you had babies. How often did you see RL parents taking their children in to pay for petrol? How many times have you stood in a queue next to a parent with buggies, car seats or toddlers?

I have twins too, and always leave them in the car. So much safer than lugging them around. Plus wrangling two toddlers across the forecourt is no one's idea of fun.

I don't think either of them have ever been in a petrol station snd they're teens.

From birth here as well, although I do try to avoid going during rush hour etc if there are likely to be long queues

Always left them in the car - wouldn't occur to me not to!

Birth. Don't sweat it as long as always in view.

Yes from birth. Car is in view and will be in and out much quicker without faffing with car seat.
What do you think will happen to them in the few minutes you are paying?

Lock the car when you are paying, so it's ok at any age.

From birth, as long as the car isn't too hot.

I dunno, I'm with you OP, I don't like leaving DD (13mo) in the car.

I do just go to pay at pump stations. If I can't or it's out of order I take her with me and carry her in. Thought obviously in your case it's not that easy.

I have left her once but it just didn't sit right with me. I'm honestly not precious about many things so I don't know why I am over this!

I wouldn't do it in hot weather like this week, but there are no pay at pump stations around here and I always felt it was safer than taking them out of the car and into the shop. They never batted an eyelid at being left.

I feel exactly the same way as you, OP. I just go to petrol stations with pay at pump.

I think it's more when is it appropriate to stop. There's a period between them being able to undo their straps and before they get any sense when I wouldn't. But from birth to strap undoing age is fine.

I always leave DS in the car, but I would only do it in this heat if the car is in the shade.