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Original poster

Would you pop to the shop when your DC is asleep upstairs?

106 replies

chloemegjess · 02/12/2008 12:35

I wouldn't but after a conversation with some Mums I have started to think I am in the minority.

The shop is a 1 min walk down the road and the DD is child is one year old and asleep in a cot. You need some milk and you know the baby won't wake up for at least an hour or 2. Could be home within 5 mins.

Do you think it is ok to go? I have never done anything like that but it was pointed out to me this morning that it isn't much different to chatting outside with the lady across the road for 5 mins or going out in the garden etc.

What do you think?

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Dropdeadfred · 02/12/2008 12:37

No, never

norksinmywaistband · 02/12/2008 12:37

No I would not.
Standing in the garden or chatting to a neighbour across the road is different, if there was a fire or a screaming baby, you are there to act as necessary.
What would happen if you were involved in an accident away from home and noone knows baby is at home alone

WotsThatSkippy · 02/12/2008 12:37

Nope.

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Pinkjennybellrock · 02/12/2008 12:38

Absolutely not.

rubyslippersisappearinginpanto · 02/12/2008 12:40

no

wouldn't even cross my mind that is would be an ok thing to do

it is different to going out into the garden as you are still on your property

bosch · 02/12/2008 12:41

Definitely not

beeny · 02/12/2008 12:41

No

Boobalina · 02/12/2008 12:42

No. If something happened whilst you were out for 5 mins, you would be arrested for leaving a baby alone in the house.

You could be involved in an accident on way to shop, have accident in shop, baby has a problem whilst you are out - sick, chokes on vomit etc.... its not worth it ever. What if someone broke into house...?

These are all extreme things but distancing yourself for up to a minutes walk is actually quite a long way, further than standing on your front door step or in garden (unless you live in a mansion)

So, a big fat resolute no here.

Never ever.

Pantofino · 02/12/2008 12:42

No. What you were hit by a bus or something, and baby woke up all alone?

GooberKingWenceslas · 02/12/2008 12:43

No way.
Wouldn't even consider it.
If you are in the garden, you hear the child if they cried. It's not the same at all.

ThePellyandMe · 02/12/2008 12:43

Nope, absolutely not. I would never even consider it.

My DS' are now 6 and 4 and still wouldn't leave them even for 5 mins.

thequietone · 02/12/2008 12:43

My goodness, never. As Norks says, it might not be about whether baby is OK, but if something happens to you too.

GooberKingWenceslas · 02/12/2008 12:43

Also, what if you got run over and carted off to hospital?

theirmum · 02/12/2008 12:44

No. Even though the shop is just down the road who is to say DC wont wake up and agree with Boo what if god forbid something happened to you!

Original poster
chloemegjess · 02/12/2008 12:46

Ok, I am glad everybody agrees with me. I did think it was odd that people were suggesting to pop to the shop but as there were 3 of the agreeing and just me saying no then I thought maybe it was just me being paranoid.

OP posts:
BellaBear · 02/12/2008 12:47

no way

the shop at the end of our road is a minute away, and I couldn't do it

what others have said

Snaf · 02/12/2008 12:47

No.

I had to go out into the communal carpark (live in a flat) to move my car last night, leaving ds asleep inside for all of 90 seconds. I was technically still on 'my property', could see his bedroom window at all times, but I have never moved so fast. I just hated doing it. I would never go to the shop or similar, ever.

Nothing is that urgent - especially not a bloody pint of milk.

AMumInScotland · 02/12/2008 12:50

Nope, I think as soon as you get out of earshot of the baby, it's too far. Chatting outside you'd still hear the baby, or the smoke alarm, or see anything else dangerous happening in the house.

ThePregnantMerryYuleWitch · 02/12/2008 12:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

NotQuiteCockney · 02/12/2008 13:02

I absolutely would do this. I've done it before. But the house rule is, I tell DH when I go out, and when I come back. As others have pointed out, there is a (very small) risk I will get run over, so you need to cover that.

(I have gone running while both DSes were asleep in a cabin, albeit swinging by the cabin every 3-4 minutes, litterally, on my route. I've not actually gone out with them asleep in recent memory, but have left one awake in the house while going to a corner shop - with the same rule.)

Original poster
chloemegjess · 02/12/2008 13:03

Well I am out of earshot of my DD as soon as I come downstairs as I have an old house with thick walls, but we do have the baby monitor on so its fine. Wouldn't hear it if chatting outside though, but don't do this anyway so not really relevant.

Do you think I should say something to the Mums who say they would leave her? Their DC are not babies anymore but they new my DD was and they didn't understand why I didn't want to do it.

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Original poster
chloemegjess · 02/12/2008 13:05

I wouldn't get run over, it is on the same side of the road, and to be honest, I am unsure I would know about a fire straight away if I was in the garden? Obviously when it gets big you would see, but I would have been back by then anyway. I am not going to do it anyway, just interested to know what everybody thinks on the topic after the conversation I had this morning!

OP posts:
OrmIrian · 02/12/2008 13:10

Sorry but yes I would.

I might get hit by a car, I might have a heartattack and die, the house might get hit by a meteor, hell I might get swooped on by a giant rabid bat with dripping fangs..... however it's unlikely

claireybee · 02/12/2008 13:12

No I wouldn't, but I know people who do.

XmasFairyGrrrl · 02/12/2008 13:28

I definately wouldn't- partly incase they woke and were frightened that i wasn't there, partly incase someone reported me.