Do you ever leave your child in the car?
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| Mon, 12-06-2004 - 3:14pm |
I'm asking as I'm a mother of 3 - ages 6, 3, and almost 2. I currently live in a NW suburb of Chicago and have left my kids in the car at times when I thought is was safe. NEVER NEVER when it's hot outside. Anyway, I was about to go into an auto parts store today where I parked right next to the front door -(the front of store is all glass) and was leaving my 2 little ones in the locked car, when a man who worked there stopped me. He told me about a lady who had done the same thing the other day and the police came into the store and she got in trouble. I understand that it can be very dangerous to leave kids in the car and I truly do my best to weigh the situation before doing it. I seriously doubt that I will be leaving my kids in my car anymore as I just feel like God has given me too many warnings and if I don't heed them something bad is going to happen.
I guess I'm asking you because I'm a SAHM who has no family around to watch the kids and my dh is gone a lot, so I always have my kids with me. As I'm sure you know, it's a HUGE deal to take them out, go into the store for 2 minutes, and put them back in their seats - especially if they're sleeping.
I just want some other mothers opinions.... people who are in the same situation I am.
Please be kind.... I love my kids and the last thing I want is for something bad to happen to them because I left them in the car. (which is why I probably won't be doing it anymore.) Thanks for your thoughts......

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I did leave my 1st dd in the car,not when she was newborn, but toddler age, but then it took one time of me hear on the news of a car being stolen with a child in it while the parent was inside at the gas station.... After that, either we didn't go, or I took them in with me EVERYWHERE..YES, even at the gas station--but thanks to pay at the pump--I don't need to take them in.
I will always take my kids in with me everywhere i go..... Maybe when the youngest hits a certain age I will reconsider..
I just hear to many heat related tragic stories of kids being left in the vechiles..
angela
I do admit that I have that I have done it a few times. Once while I was pumping gas and then I ran in to pay. Once, I ran inside the video store. But I always felt like something was going to happen. Then one day something did happen. I pulled up into a parking lot to do some grocery shopping. I didnt have my kids, they were visiting their father that day. As, I was getting out of the car, shutting the door, as I turned around, something in the car parked next to me caught my eye. At first, I thought it was dog. But then I heard a cry. I looked in and there was a baby in a carseat. The baby was young...maybe 5 or 6mos. I looked around to see if anyone was coming back to the car..maybe they were returning the shopping cart or something. I waited 5mins. No one came. I tried to open the doors, but the car was locked. The baby was crying very hard. The windows were cracked but not very much. It wasnt hot outside, it was late in the afternoon. I waited another 5mins and still no one came. I finally got out my cell and called 911. I felt bad for the parent, but worse for the baby. Just as the fireman were breaking the window, the mom showed up. She said that she didnt want to wake her sleeping baby while picking up a prescribtion. She ended up getting arrested and the baby went to a family member.
I dont do it anymore, even though my kids are 6 and 7. TOO much could happen. I saw it on the news about a car that was stolen when the owner went inside to pay for gas. She left her baby in the car. There was a police chase and the car got invovled in an accident. The baby was okay but can you imagine how the mother felt?
Kay, momma of 3 with #4 on the way.
I completely understand what a hassle it is to unload the kids for just a two minute trip, but I NEVER leave my son in the car. There's just too much that could happen. I've also worked as a social worker in connection with our local children and youth services, and doing so (atleast in PA)can get you into some serious trouble. Hope that helps.
Jen
Jake 8/29/03
edd 2/28/05
I know it can be a huge inconvience. I have to get three kids out of the car. But isn't it always the person who says "But I was only in for a minute!" or "I just turned my back for one second!" or "I have never done this before!". That is a big clue to me that seconds and minutes count.
No you are not in charge of when you or your children leave this earth but something happening to them while in a parked car is preventable.
I heard a HORRIBLE story of a woman who ran into a store to get her and her 6 year old son a drink. She only left "for one second" when a man who was just released from prison jumped into her car(the mom had been watching the car from inside). The mom seeing what had happened ran out the door and tried to rescue her son. She opened the door but her son got caught in the seatbelt. He was dragged down the freeway while horrifed motorists just had to watch it happen. He died.
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I try to make most appointment after DH is home but usually have to take both DS's with me. I have no advice except welcome to being SAHM!!! LOL.
Eileen
I would never leave my kids in the car no matter what. The only time I have is when pumping gas and I lock the door and have the keys in my hand.
I have seen too many stories of a person leaving their kids in the car, where they thought it was safe, and it turned out not to be.
No thanks. I rather be inconvenienced by having to drag my two kids out of the car for 5 minutes then to leave them in the car and have them kidnapped or dragged.
I do report if I see kids in the car who are too young. I just don't think it is fair to them.
I just wanted to say thanks for your responses. Just to let you know I will no longer be leaving my kids in the car. For some reason, I thought it was an ok choice - if I felt it was safe. I honestly have no idea where I got that from. I won't leave my kids at home alone, so why would I think it was ok to leave them in the car?!? I don't know. But regardless.... it won't be happening anymore and they will stay safe - with me, even if they are grumpy because I woke them up. And I'll certainly have more peace of mind.
Thank you for your input. My three kids don't know it, but I'm sure they're thankful too :o)
I have 3 kids as well (4, 3 and 19 mos). The only time I leave them in the car is when I bring my 4 yr old to preschool and it's only if I park in the parking lot or right in front of the school. I also leave them in the car if I have to pay for gas inside of the gas station.
If I knew that my kids were absolutely safe from heat, cold and someone trying to take them, I still wouldn't leave them in the car only because of being aware that someone might snitch on me and call the cops. Otherwise, I see nothing wrong with leaving them in the car ONLY if it's a quick trip to a bank, post office or a place like a small auto parts store where you know you'll only be a couple of minutes.
I'll take them with me if I have to go to the post office or someplace quick, but if I want to do something time consuming like grocery shopping or household shopping, I do it on the weekends when DH can watch them, or at night after he comes home.
It's really tough taking kids on errands.
NO NEVER!!! I have a set of 8 year old twins, and a 5 week old baby girl. We learned early to take the boys with us, of course since they came as a set we had to get used to hauling two at a time in and out of the car. I also got used to taking them everywhere with me alone because DH goes TDY for the military often and his first time after they were born was when they were 6 weeks old. At the time our car was a 2 door hatchback and a real pain in the butt. They are older now, however I am just to worried to ever leave them alone. It is a habit we have gotten into so I never think twice.
Shelli
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