Do/will you leave your kids alone in the car?

cburitz · January 2011

I got bored so I started lurking on the Nest. I came across a post about leaving your kids in the car while running into the grocery store. What's your thoughts on this? IMO, you should be arrested for leaving your kids in the car unattended. Too many things could go wrong.

Here's the link: https://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/48367332.aspx

nbbride06 · January 2011

Absolutely not! I agree that if you do that, you should be arrested.

goteamgo · January 2011

No- it shows very poor judgment and besides- it is illegal here.

cherylanddoug · January 2011

No! I will not leave my kids in the car...

Although you obviously don't want a real discussion since you said anyone who does should be arrested.

Just sayin...

mbritto4 · January 2011

nope

KleanFreak · January 2011

It's neglect....and I will go further to say that I would gladly call the cops if I saw someone doing this.

MFAinNYC · January 2011

Yes, but I will leave the window cracked. Tongue Tied

Are those people kidding?!?!??!! You cannot leave children in the car alone. I never leave my dogs in the car alone! No! You don't do this.

HappyKlamb10 · January 2011

No freaking way. I agree with pp, I would call the cops on someone if I saw this. I have a hard enough time leaving my dog in the car for more than 2 minutes. lol.

girl-23 · January 2011

I'm not sure why anyone would think it's a good idea to leave your children alone in your car for any reason. No, I will never do that.

LnR70707 · January 2011

In general I'd say no...but I remember my mom leaving me in the car while she ran into to the drugstore or something when I was 12 or so. I think it depends on a number of factors (age of child, where, how long, etc.) and doesn't automatically = terrible parenting.

cburitz · January 2011

cherylanddoug:

No! I will not leave my kids in the car...

Although you obviously don't want a real discussion since you said anyone who does should be arrested.

Just sayin...

No, I want a real discussion. Promise. I'm just trying to liven the boards up a little with some discussion. Stick out tongue

This is my first child so I don't have any experience with it. I live in Michigan so it's very hot in the summer and freezing in the winter- I cannot imagine leaving my kid in the car for even a few minutes. What if the heater/air conditioner stopped working? What if someone tried to steal the car? What if I lost my car keys? What if I collapsed in the grocery store and an ambulance took me to the hospital and no one knew my kids were waiting in the car? Etc etc.

MFAinNYC · January 2011

KleanFreak:
It's neglect....and I will go further to say that I would gladly call the cops if I saw someone doing this.

I would do the same.

zenma · January 2011

Yea, that's a no-brainer. Absolutely not.

cburitz · January 2011

L&R70707:
In general I'd say no...but I remember my mom leaving me in the car while she ran into to the drugstore or something when I was 12 or so. I think it depends on a number of factors (age of child, where, how long, etc.) and doesn't automatically = terrible parenting.

I agree with you on the age. I was assuming the child is 8ish & under.

At 12 years old, I was left alone for several hours after school until my mom came home from work. I don't think that's bad parenting at all!

CactusGirl · January 2011

Uhh, I live in Arizona... so that would be a no..

Kids and pets die here all the time from being left in the car.

momtojake · January 2011

absolutely not, I have never left my child in the car for any reason.

pettycrocker · January 2011

Wtf? Are we tired or bored or a combination of both tonight?

I can't imagine anyone answering "yes" to this Q even if they already do it on a regular basis.

KleanFreak · January 2011

L&R70707:
In general I'd say no...but I remember my mom leaving me in the car while she ran into to the drugstore or something when I was 12 or so. I think it depends on a number of factors (age of child, where, how long, etc.) and doesn't automatically = terrible parenting.

Kids who are nearing babysitting age can be left in the car to play their silly video games...but seriously...if they are able to open the door and put on their seat belt...why can't they get out and go in too? I mean, you need someone to carry the grocery bags for you, right? Isn't that why you have kids? Wink

damabo80 · January 2011

While I'm pumping gas? Yes.

However, if I'm going to be more than 10 feet away from the car or going into a building? No.

Firefly9 · January 2011

cburitz:
cherylanddoug:

No! I will not leave my kids in the car...

Although you obviously don't want a real discussion since you said anyone who does should be arrested.

Just sayin...

No, I want a real discussion. Promise. I'm just trying to liven the boards up a little with some discussion.

This is my first child so I don't have any experience with it. I live in Michigan so it's very hot in the summer and freezing in the winter- I cannot imagine leaving my kid in the car for even a few minutes. What if the heater/air conditioner stopped working? What if someone tried to steal the car? What if I lost my car keys? What if I collapsed in the grocery store and an ambulance took me to the hospital and no one knew my kids were waiting in the car? Etc etc.

For me, it depends on how old the child is, how long you'll be gone, and ABSOLUTELY the weather.

When I was 9+, my mom would let me sit in the car and read while she ran into the grocery store or the bank for a few minutes.

A baby or a toddler or a kid younger than 8 or 9? NEVER, under any circumstances would I leave them alone in the car.

abergale · January 2011

Never Never Never! I feel bad leaving DD in the car when I run into the house because I forgot something at my own house and I literally run and feel anxious the whole time.

lhuffmaster · January 2011

cburitz:

I got bored so I started lurking on the Nest. I came across a post about leaving your kids in the car while running into the grocery store. What's your thoughts on this? IMO, you should be arrested for leaving your kids in the car unattended. Too many things could go wrong.

Here's the link: https://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/48367332.aspx

This.

dairygirl19 · January 2011

Nope. Never. And I live in the smallest, safest, everyone knows everyone towns in America and I still wouldn't do it.

However, my kid fell asleep in the car and I was in my own driveway, I'd leave him there until I had all my groceries etc. whatever in. That said, I live in the absolute sticks, I would notice anything odd ASAP. But five minutes in a garage is different than a grocery store parking lot.

Mrs.Leah.Maria · January 2011

nbbride06:
Absolutely not! I agree that if you do that, you should be arrested.

This. The furthest I've ever been from DS while in a vehicle is while pumping gas. I carry him with me while I put my shopping cart back as well.

Mrs.Leah.Maria · January 2011

KleanFreak:
It's neglect....and I will go further to say that I would gladly call the cops if I saw someone doing this.

In a heartbeat. I wouldn't even feel bad for not knowing the "full situation."

Mrs.Leah.Maria · January 2011

cburitz:
cherylanddoug:

No! I will not leave my kids in the car...

Although you obviously don't want a real discussion since you said anyone who does should be arrested.

Just sayin...

No, I want a real discussion. Promise. I'm just trying to liven the boards up a little with some discussion.

This is my first child so I don't have any experience with it. I live in Michigan so it's very hot in the summer and freezing in the winter- I cannot imagine leaving my kid in the car for even a few minutes. What if the heater/air conditioner stopped working? What if someone tried to steal the car? What if I lost my car keys? What if I collapsed in the grocery store and an ambulance took me to the hospital and no one knew my kids were waiting in the car? Etc etc.

We had a newborn locked in a car for 20 minutes this summer while it's parents ran into the grocery store. A newborn, it was over 90F. Both were arrested and thankfully onlookers called the cops.

BoogieMonster629 · January 2011

Nope. I remember seeing on the news that a lady went into the convenience store and someone stole her car with her kids in it, she got charged I believe.

Mrs.Leah.Maria · January 2011

fogleer:

L&R70707:
In general I'd say no...but I remember my mom leaving me in the car while she ran into to the drugstore or something when I was 12 or so. I think it depends on a number of factors (age of child, where, how long, etc.) and doesn't automatically = terrible parenting.

I don't think it counts if you were 12. I was babysitting at 12. I was thinking this post referred to kids not yet school aged or in the early elementary grades.

Age would really depend on the child for me. Twelve seems to be my cut off. I think they're just smart enough to get into trouble starting at eight, okay not, just smart enough, but you know what I mean. ETA: It would also involve the trust and responsiblity of the kids involved.

Epiphany27 · January 2011

Shoot, just crack the windows and give them an ice cube to play with/drink as it melts. Hello multitasking!

Do you expect anybody here to say yes?

duhdaisy86 · January 2011

KleanFreak:
It's neglect....and I will go further to say that I would gladly call the cops if I saw someone doing this.

I agree with this!!!

SoCaliAli · January 2011

Mrs.Leah.Maria:
KleanFreak:
It's neglect....and I will go further to say that I would gladly call the cops if I saw someone doing this.
In a heartbeat. I wouldn't even feel bad for not knowing the "full situation."

This. And IMO, there isn't a situation that would would justify leaving an infant/small child in the car alone.

amygoable · January 2011

Seriously. As much of a bummer as it is to haul the kids all over, it's just not safe to leave them in the car. The only times I EVER leave LO in the car are when I'm about to leave, have him all settled in his seat in the car (which is in the garage and not too hot or cold), and I realize I need to run back inside for something I can't leave without (wallet, keys, that type of thing). I don't even feel comfortable leaving him in the car to return a cart to the little cart thingy at the store.

AsOctoberFalls · January 2011

I would, depending on the kid's age. The OP's kids were 4 and 5, which IMO is too young. If my kid were 9 or 10, you bet I'd leave them in the car if they wanted to be there.

aesf · January 2011

cburitz:
L&R70707:
In general I'd say no...but I remember my mom leaving me in the car while she ran into to the drugstore or something when I was 12 or so. I think it depends on a number of factors (age of child, where, how long, etc.) and doesn't automatically = terrible parenting.
I agree with you on the age. I was assuming the child is 8ish & under.
At 12 years old, I was left alone for several hours after school until my mom came home from work. I don't think that's bad parenting at all!

This. Another PP asked why would you leave someone one old enough to help in the car. I would do it to watch a younger kid. I was 6 years older than my sister. My mom would leave me and her there (dependaing on weather conditions) for quick trips to the drug store, rather than deal with a bratty 6 year old and a candy isle. I would do the same.

But other than having a child old enough to care for a younger kid, or dealing with a bratty teen absolutely not.

mainemommy · January 2011

I leave the kids in the car while I pump gas & then if its my usual gas station where the pump is right in front of the door I walk in hand them my money & am back out 2 seconds later. Its not worth it to me in the freezing cold winter to get them out for 2 seconds to get them back in, with the -40 windchill we had all last week it would have been more dangerous to them if I had taken them out twice.

I wouldnt do it if the door was ever more than 5 feet from my car & on the occasion there's been a line I sit on my hood & wait until its gone then throw them my cash & Im back out the door as fast as I walked in it never taking my eyes off the car.

I wouldnt leave my kids in the car to go into the store to get something, not to get groceries, mail something at the post office because that would take me further than 5 ft & a hell of a lot longer inside. & if Im pumping gas at a different pump or station I take them in with me.

Flame away if you want, its actually more dangerous to leave them in my driveway unattended because Im a lot further away from them & my eyes arent on them the entire time.

Shelleybell · January 2011

L&R70707:
In general I'd say no...but I remember my mom leaving me in the car while she ran into to the drugstore or something when I was 12 or so. I think it depends on a number of factors (age of child, where, how long, etc.) and doesn't automatically = terrible parenting.

This. I used to babysit other kids when I was 11, I could def be left in the car for an errand.

kellynkids · January 2011

Yes, I leave my 14 year old daughter in the car. ;-) But I am pretty sure she can fend for herself. (as long as she doesn't drive off with my car... haha)

I completely do not agree with leaving little ones in the car though. Way too many bad things happen. Makes me sick when I hear these stories on the news.

jillybean222 · January 2011

I don't even return the shopping cart to the corral with my kids alone in the car. Not worth the risk. I would rather buckle and unbuckle a carseat 1000 times than have something happen to my kids b/c I was being lazy.

miller4285 · January 2011

No is my *primary* answer.

BUT...you have to factor in age, maturity, temperature, and what part of town you are in.

boogerbearoriginal · January 2011

miller4285:
No is my *primary* answer.
BUT...you have to factor in age, maturity, temperature, and what part of town you are in.

This.

It's not something I'd make a regular habit of, and certainly not to go grocery shopping - wtf?! But to run in and pay for gas? Maybe - based on how busy the gas station is, temperature, age, etc. If I realize I forgot my wallet and the car is in the driveway - probably but again it's also based on other factors.

I can't say 100% that I'd never leave them under any circumstance.