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Child Safety: Do You Leave Your Child in the Car?
January 7, 2009 at 5:03 PM by Cafe Kierna - Comments (40)
Every year we hear stories about something bad happening to a child left unattended in a car. It's a controversy that mothers debate about endlessly.
Some mothers like micrespo feel like it is the ultimate in poor judgement: You never know what could happen when you leave your child in the car alone...even if it's only for a second. The child could play with the gears and start the car, someone could snatch your child, your child could lock you out of the car if you left your keys in the ignition. It's just not worth the risk. I say take your children in with you or find a sitter and leave them at home.
But other moms like MammaMia72 freely admit doing it: I have done it. I am so sick of mothers (and other people) bashing about it. If you are near and can reach the child in a second, I see no problem (especially if they are older children). This gets discussed to death, though, and it can get pretty out of control. My motto is and always has been, as a parent, to use your best judgment. You can "feel" when something is wrong or dangerous. Go on the instinct.
For obvious reasons, the discussion about unattended kids in the car focuses on babies and toddlers. But as mammamia addressed, what about big kids? Would you leave your older child in a car alone?
Comments:
If I couldn't see them, then no. As long as I can see them and I can reach them, then yes. I picked my son up from school, had to walk to the door and get him, it was a church parking lot not a school parking lot. I wasn't bringing my other one out in the rain for 5 seconds while I got him. Use your best judgement.
No I don't but simply out of fear! I am kind of a freak that way. If I am not with in 3 paces of the car I don't leave them in it. Paranoid I guess, but I am ok with it :)
I believe in following the law (and yes, I obey the speed limit laws too lol) no matter how inconvinient it is to me. I believe, at least in some states, there are laws against leaving children unattended in a car. I know the state I grew up in has guidelines about it. I was in a restaraunt once where a woman blew through the door and said to the cashier "hurry up, I have a little kid alone in the car waiting for me." The business owner overheard and refused to serve her. That was pretty gutsy but she was politely told to bring her child inside or please leave.
Regardless of what the law says, a car is not a babysitter and if I wouldn't leave my child home alone to babysit themselves, I wouldn't leave them in the car alone to babysit themselves either. I can't put my own convenience over the safety of my children. Locking yourself out, the heat stops working, the AC stops working, the car malfunctions, someone breaks in and takes my child, my child needs help and can't get out..OR gets out and tries to find me/someone...too many risks for me.
I do leave my kids in the car on occasion, but not if it's going to be longer than a minute or two, and the vehicle has to be within my sight. My kids always stay buckled in and my DS is very good at keeping my DD occupied for a couple minutes.
yes, but my kids are 12,13,15. When they were old enough to be home alone (11) I figured they were old enough to be in the car alone. They are old enough to call 911 (sometimes I leave my cell phone with them), they keep the doors locked and windows cracked.
And I have done it a couple times when they were babies incar seats, when they were napping and in my own driveway- but we lived out a bit and at the end of a cul-de-sac. I would not do that where we live now (and they were that young)
I personally think you are a Terrible Mother to leave a child unattended in a Car while you go into a store or mini mart, or even into a house, Although If you are walking to drop something into a mailbox, or an ATM machine, and you are only stepping like 10 feet from the car, and your smart enought to leave the windows partially down, a door open and take the keys, so no one can drive off with your kids then I think that should be allowed. I have a 2 year old and a 4 month old, and sometimes they both fall asleep and I carry them up the stairs to my apartment, even though It hurts my back, because I know it is incredibly stupid to leave one of them in the car, even if it is safe to do it, what if someone saw and called CPS, I just don't think it is worth it.,
I would never ever leave my son alone in the car. There are too many "what ifs". I couldn't live with myself if something happened to him, because I left him alone. How many times have we heard terrible thngs happening to children when their mothers left them " for just a few minutes and I could see the car" but they weren't close enough to stop what was happening.
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My oldest is 6. And yes I did it ONCE. It was bitter cold out. Advisories were not to have any exposed skin outdoors. My baby was asleep and I could see him still while I was inside the store. It made me SO nervous, I wouldn't do it again.
Found out DH and his dad left our 6yr old in the car while they ran into a gas station. I was upset about it and DH got an ear full.
Lynette Jan. 7, 2009 at 6:28 PM