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Multiples
Is it ever ok to leave your kids in the car?
The double cart post got me thinking...
Do you or would you ever leave your kids in the car? When is it ok?
running in to the store to find a double cart? running in to the bank, convenience store, dry cleaners, etc?
I haven't done it, but I've seriously considered it several times.
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Re: Is it ever ok to leave your kids in the car?
The only place I'll leave them is in our garage. I don't even like leaving them in our driveway-- I pull back in the garage. I'd never run into a store.
Although, I probably shouldn't be worried since infant car seats are impossible to get out unless you know exactly what you're doing. My mom comes over once a week, and every time she shakes it around all "how do you get this out again?! I can't find the orange handle! I think it's broke!!"
The only time I have ever left them/one in the car is when I load and unload them into it, and the car is parked in the garage.
I do not think it is ok in any other circumstance. Plus, I believe it is illegal in Washington state or at least you can get a ticket for it.
So how do you get 2 (or more) non-walkers to a double grocery cart if there are none in the parking lot? I live WAY to far to turn around and drive back home. I've been using a stroller, but now that they are bigger, I'd rather use a cart.
i will leave them in to go get a shopping cart- in the lot --- not in the store - i will never let the car out of my sight.
i would never go into a store with them in the car. it's illegal in many states to do so.
i leave them in the car to bring my groceries into the house- but my car is literally like 3 steps from my door- and i put the stuff right in the front door- it's not like i'm bringing it into the kitchen.... i drop all the bags inside- then bring the kids in. I live in a very safe area - and I still don't like doing that - it seems crazy b/c they are RIGHT THERE but i always worry that some crazy person would stalk me and wait for a moment like that to sneak in and take one of my kids --- i'm a freak with worry like that
I did leave them in once, i had to drop off stoll samples when the boys were all sick, but the office is small and has all glass front, so i parked kids in front of the door, took keys, locked the door and threw the poop samples at the front sesk:) I kept watchingt he kids the whole time.
As for what to do at the store, ight now i push a doublke stroller and pull ca cart, i park next to a cart return and load that way. I have not ever takkedn all the kids to the grocery store but my store has double "car" style carts btu they are usually only in the front of the store. I think i will load them into a regualr cart just until we get inside the store.
This.
Except for the garage and our driveway, I do not ever leave them in the car where I can't see them, and I also don't just run in to stores with glass fronts where I can still see the car and leave them in there. If I'm going inside somewhere other than our own house, they come with me every.single.time. Though with pay at the pump, I can't remember the last time I've needed to run inside somewhere really quick. We actually lived at this house for almost 6 months before I ever saw the inside of the gas station around the corner. LOL
As for grocery shopping... park next to a cart return. Even if there's no double carts there you can put them both in a regular cart until you get to the store front. Or, you can do like I did, and become an expert at carrying one kid in each arm. Or, you can wear one in a carrier and just use a regular cart for the other one. That's what I did most of the time, and still do pretty frequently actually.
There are *plenty* of solutions that don't involve leaving your kids unattended in the car in public.
this is what I do. DD will sit in the cart part while we all zoom into the store to get a double cart.
NEVER.. someone can steal your babies in the blink of an eye.. I wouldn't feel comfortable until they are able to put up a fight and scream because they know they are in danger. Right now, and for at least the next 8 or so years- they are pretty defenseless.
EDIT: & now that I am putting more thought into it, my niece is 7 and I wouldnt even leave her in a car for a second. I don't think I will ever do it.
I LOL'd at this!
I've done this before too. You are not a bad mom. It's one thing to go into starbucks and wait in line while your kids are in the parking lot. It's another thing to keep them in your sight the entire time.
Also, as far as finding a double cart, sometimes I will just put one in the front of the cart and the other in the cart part and we just book it inside and find a double cart. I will say, there have been times when there is no double cart available, or the store doesn't have them and I have one sit in the cart part of the cart. I watch him like a hawk and get my shopping done as fast as I can. If anyone gives me the side eye, I just ignore it. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do!!