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 never ever leave my kids in the car. And I don't think under any circumstances what so ever that is okay for anyone else to. That is why I usually don't leave the house. It is alot of trouble, but they depend on us 24/7. That is why I do everything at night when Dh is home or I do all my errands on a day I plan to take them to preschool. My advice is to find a babysitter or a drop in daycare/preschool service and save your errands for that one day. And I am with Mel...I would most definitely make the phone call to the police for any kids that I felt were not of sufficient age to be left in the car alone. Right now I cannot even determine an age I would trust them in the car alone. When they get older like 9 or 10 they get more curious..they might start the car moving or something worse. My sister put my parent's car into gear one time when we were little and ran into a grocery store wall. This isn't to be mean, its pure honesty to say No you really shouldn't do it. That one moment might be the one moment that changes your life for the rest of your existence. Good luck to you, and several daycares have reasonable drop in rates.
Angelia
If its a pain to "drag" your kids around, then don't do things while they are with you, or don't have kids!
Another story that happened here (population 700), happened in the 70's. A girl I went to school with had 2 older sisters before she was born. The mom left the girls in the car and "ran" into a friends home. The girls started the car and drove it into the river. Their dad was a Vol. Fire fighter and EMT and went to the scene. He put on scuba gear and dived to help them. They were like 5 and 7. They couldnt understand how to roll a window down and he couldnt break the glass. They tried everything. He ended up watching his 2 girls die. I was a good friend of their 3rd daughter they had a couple years later. She ended up having a lil girl herself and named her after both sisters. A normal erran could turn into the worse day of your life forever.
When I think "Oh man I only have to be in there a few mins, I always remember these stories and lug the kids in.
My dad and I were out shopping once while I prego with 1st child. We parked next to a car with lil kids in it. One managed to climb out of his carseat and was all over. My dad called the police then went to the store and paged the mom and gave her hell. Then we left. My dad is a Fireman, Emt and a game commissioner. He's tip top on rules. On top of that he raised his 2 kids all alone and cant stand seeing kids neglected. He's a good man and I am proud of him. That whole episode made my decision on leave any child in a car.
Eileen
Anyone remember this story ??
http://www.hannibal.net/stories/100301/com_1003010009.shtml
To me it explains the most common terror that happens to families that could have been so easily avoided.
COPSWIFEJENN HAS ALOT TO SAY ABOUT THIS....There are laws here in our state and the mother/father would be fined and sited with neglect....and/or most officers I know would hall her lazy, uncaring @$$ to the station to sit in a jail cell and think about what she did. ( YES, YOU CAN GET ARRESTED !!!) I really do not mean to seem harsh, but this is a pet peeve of mine. If you find it a chore to take your kids with you then find a sitter or do not go !!
Okay, I'm off my soap box now...happy day all!!
Jenn
It bothers me to think you anyone would leave a child in the car only because they are too much to have to drag around. I rather have to take my child out of the car 100 times in one day then to leave them in the car once and something happen to them that could ruin their life and mine.
My children are four and two years old. I never leave them alone in the car --- but not because they are so young. It's not safe.
Errands with little ones requires much planning beforehand. Preston, my DH, works two jobs, and I do not have much family around except my parents (but then, they work). And yet, I still have to go to the supermarket, pick up things, drop off things, etc. So, I just have to plan ahead to make the trip go smoothly.
* LISTS --- I make Essie, my 4-yr-old daughter, a list of the various places we're going or the different things we are buying. She cannot read, so I end up drawing pictures and telling them what they are. It makes it a treasure hunt for her, she loves being useful.
* CONVERSATION --- The girl is *VERY* energetic, so I have to keep a running dialog with her to keep her focused and from falling apart. "Essie, do you think this is better peanut butter than this brand? Do you like crunchy or smooth? Why?" I probably sound like a babbling idiot to the other adults in the store, but at least I retain my sanity and Essie can be a good help.
* SNACKS --- Even if it's a little more expensive, I'll go the supermarkets that have the car-shaped carts. I strap in Miguel and it's more fun for him. I also take some toys to keep him busy and special snacks.
* STROLLER --- I don't care if Essie is four years old and very tall. I'll put her and Miguel in the double stroller to go to the mall or a store. They love to go out, so I'll tell them, "Listen, you need to stay in your seat. The minute you undo it and unstrap yourself, we're out of here. If you stay in, we can keep having fun." It works. And when they start getting fussy, I know I've maxed out my time, and we're out of there.
* DIVISION OF ERRANDS --- Before children, I could run to five stores or more in a day to do all my chores and errands on one day. No more. I try to do it in little spurts. Supermarket on Monday, any other necessities on Thursday, etc.
Sometimes, they do have melt-downs. The other day, I was in line at the 99 Cents store, and Miguel flung himself on the ground screaming for raisins and wanting to run around. He was in a crying jag. Essie was giggling at this scene and jumping up and down. We were the second people in line, and I just wanted to haul them out of there. But I needed what I needed, so I just figured, "Hey, Miguel is not killing anyone, he's only getting himself dirty, Essie's not being harmful or destructive. They're just being noisy, and it's only for two minutes before I buy this. And think how happy and peaceful everyone will be when we leave!" LOL (If I had not been in line, I would have just left, but I was second in line! And the guy was buying tape!) Later on, I thought about why they had this melt-down when they've been good for so long ... I had not prepared. Preparation is key.
So, don't leave your children in the car, folks, even if you're a minute away. In that minute, so much harm can be done! Just plan, plan, plan. They can be fun little people on trips sometimes. : )
~ Maria
I agree Maria. Because Nick is a spirited Kid I have to be extra prepared before we go anywhere. I make sure he has had a nap, and has snacks...he is not the kind of kid you take somewhere at the last minute. lol
I also wanted to say that I have a great stroller that I bought when Nick was born, called the 'Sit and Stand' by graco. It was a life saver when the kids where younger. The front is made to where you can put in a baby carrier or have the baby sit in the front stroller seat. In the back is the place to put the older child who can either sit on the little bench...or you can move the bench up and let them stand up. This was a miracle worker for me while on errands. Matt was four and loved the indipendence to stand up and I got peace of mind that both my kids where in the same spot. I used this until Matt was six and things started getting "embarassing", lol. I still use this stoller for when I take my baby nephew places, and now Nick gets to be the big kid :)
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