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Original poster

Leaving kids in the car

97 replies

Niddlynono · 14/07/2005 20:37

I was listening to the radio this evening and they had a discussion about the woman who had left her kids at home while she went on holiday. They had someone on the show who ran a parenting website (not Mumsnet) who was commenting on various situations where children might be left and was basically saying that it's not necessary to take a baby, particularly one that's sleeping, out of the car at a petrol station while you go in to pay.

I just wondered what other parents do in that situation. My view is that if I wouldn't leave a £5 on my dashboard when I go to pay, why on earth would I leave the most precious thing in my life in my car? When DS was a baby, even if he was asleep I'd get him out of his car seat and take him with me.

I'd be interested to hear what you all think.

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SenoraPostrophe · 14/07/2005 20:59

Of course, if you reallywant to minimise the risks to your child, you won't ever have them with you in the car in the first place.

QueenEagle · 14/07/2005 21:00

I worry myself every time I leave the kids in the car to pay for petrol. But only because they might cry for the 2-3 minutes I'm gone and I hate them getting upset. It would be absurd for me to take my lot out of the car, traipse them across a busy garage forecourt and back again, when they would be far safer and cosier in the car.

Original poster
Niddlynono · 14/07/2005 21:01

You've all made some really good points - I can see that with so many cars around it can be more dangerous taking a child across the forecourt. I only have 1child at the moment and of course if and when I have more children I may well change my view on this.

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QueenEagle · 14/07/2005 21:01

Minimise the risks even more and don't have any kids in the first place. Then - no worries!

hunkermunker · 14/07/2005 21:02

Tesco's pay at pump is about 8 miles away. I needed petrol in an urgent fashion this evening and was travelling in totally the opposite direction!

I'd be more worried I'd slip carrying DS and get run over by the out of control fire engine that's just careered onto the forecourt.

nannyjo · 14/07/2005 21:03

not always possible which is why we take risks, isn;t that what life is about? We wouldn't walk out the door if we didn't want to risk things in this day and age!!

Original poster
Niddlynono · 14/07/2005 21:03

Dinny, I'm the same. When DS was first born and I'd take him out in his pram I was suspicious of everyone I passed, thinking 'what if they grab him and run off?' Overactive imagination!

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Hulababy · 14/07/2005 21:06

TBH I now try rea;;y hard to not have Dd int he car when I need petrol, or i try and fill up when I pass the Asda pay at pump machines. Why can't all petrol stations be pay at pump? Would be so much easier!

morningpaper · 14/07/2005 21:07

I leave mine.

DH says that when he was young him and his brother were left in the car in the pub carpark every Sunday afternoon while his dad went and drank beer! He'd bring them out lemonades every hour or so.

dinny · 14/07/2005 21:07

Bexibooboo

I take ds and dd in with me...to me it's not really a hassle and why not, if it gives peace of mind.

WigWamBam · 14/07/2005 21:08

Jan, do you really think it's more dangerous to take the three children (two of whom are babies, and would travel in a pushchair) to pick up one child, then walk back with two walking children and two in a pushchair, than it is to leave them in the car for 20 minutes? Sorry, but there's no way I would leave three small children alone in a car, where I couldn't see them, for 20 minutes every day.

GetMakosiorVanessaorOrlaithOut · 14/07/2005 21:09

Never leave mine in the car.

Even though if I'm only picking up ds1 (4) from nursery it means taking a 2yr old and 10 month old with me. Major hassle but no chance I'm leaving them in the car.

dinny · 14/07/2005 21:10

Yes, nursery pick-ups are fun with a newborn in tow...

kgc · 14/07/2005 21:12

I have four 6,3,1 and six weeks and would never be able to unload them all and walk with them across the forecourt of the garage..pay...then load them all up again........although I would take my six week old with me as I would not trust my others alone in the car with her. I usually try to fill up when DH with me so fully tanked for the week so I do not have to worry about this when hes at work. Interesting thread tho and have checked out the one zubb found also.

SoupDragon · 14/07/2005 21:12

My view is that more people have a use for an easily obtained £5 than someone else's child who is strapped into a carseat and will most likely scream blue murder if they are removed by a stranger. It's not like I leave the keys in there so they can simply drive off with my children (although I have to say I've been tempted on occasion).

In the petrol scenario, they're safer left in the car for 2 minutes than wrestled across a forecourt with lots of moving vehicles, parked vehicles and poor visibility.

It's all about common sense and risk assessment.

And as for "perverts are just waiting for that kind of opportunity" I'm sure they're more likely to snatch your child when you're not looking in Mothercare.

Original poster
Niddlynono · 14/07/2005 21:15

LOL MorningPaper .

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hunkermunker · 14/07/2005 21:16

I think most people wouldn't bother going to the hassle of breaking into a car for a fiver on a petrol forecourt where the owner is obviously nearby, let alone someone's child, as SD says (not that I am agreeing with you, SD - don't want to look as if I'm trying to curry favour with you to stop you banning me )

kgc · 14/07/2005 21:17

LOL tempting sometimes SoupDragon

Angeliz · 14/07/2005 21:24

i remember my mam leaving me and my sister for ages lots of time swhile she went into the bank.(don't know why we weren't allowed, maybe she was having an affair with the bank manager ).
Me and my sister used to put up notes like 'help we've been kidnapped' and no-one took a blind bit of notice

Wonder if they would nowadays?

Lonelymum · 14/07/2005 21:25

No I leave mine in the car, especially in a situation like paying for petrol. But just lately, I have been taking them everywhere with me as I am worried about overheating in the car.

donnie · 14/07/2005 21:30

I do leave mine in the car while I pay for petrol and I sometimes leave dd2 ( a baby) while I drop dd1 at nursery - I am only gone for 2 - 3 minutes and can see the car from where I am. I wouldn't leave either of them for any longer though.

kgc · 14/07/2005 21:32

your post made me LOL Angeliz

sparklymieow · 14/07/2005 21:33

I left my kids in the car today, parked on the driveway while I popped something through my parents letter box, I couldn't see the car from their door, but as they live on a very busy main road, I figured they would be safer in the car, strapped in, on a drive, than me trying to get 3 kids out of the car on a busy road. I also leave them in the car when I pay for petrol.

Twiglett · 14/07/2005 21:34

I am with SenoraP on this .. the spanish lady makes sense

Blondeinlondon · 14/07/2005 21:35

I would leave DS in the car at a petrol station, I'd leave him alseep in the car outside my mom's house (countryside) but I wouldn't leave him alseep in the car outside our house in London

My friends will happily leave their child asleep in the car outside our house but they will also leave the kiddie at home and go to the pub at the end of the street taking a baby monitor with them

It's just personal choice about what you feel happy doing...