I leave my kids in the car alone for a minute?
I am not talking about leaving them in the car while I go shopping or something...I know that's a NO-NO. I want to know...is it bad for me to leave them in the (locked) car while I run in the post office and mail something? I am talking about being gone (them out of my sight) for no more than 3 minutes max. Other instances are like when I run into the video store to grab a movie or into the library to return books or into the gas station to get a coke or pay for my gas. There have been times when I've done something like this...and it ended up taking longer than I expected...and when that happens...I just leave and go out and get them and bring them back in with me. It's just SUCH a hassle to bring them in for trips that are SO quick. Usually we have the DVD player going in the van anyway...so they don't even notice that I've gotten out. Also, I always lock the car (and take the keys with me-Duh!) so no one could get in. Most of the time...I can even see them the whole time..but not always. I've just really wondered lately if I am doing something "wrong" by doing this. I try to use good discretion and not ever do something like this if I am not in a good, safe area of town or if there are un-safe looking people lurking around. I know sometimes terrible things happen even in supposedly safe places and by safe-looking people...but I don't know where to draw the line between being safe and being over-protective. What do you all think?
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4 comments:
I don't think that makes you a bad mom, I sometimes leave jax in the car to do those same things. But I don't think we should leave our kids in the car in extreme weather conditions or for extended periods of time.
I waited to leave a comment b/c I have the same question! I am hesitant to leave Logan in the van b/c I know that he can unbuckle his seatbelt and even open the van door if he wanted to. I don't think he would but sometimes he gets freaked out and I could see him coming to find me or something. But since kenzie is still in a carseat and she can't undo the buckle by herself, I leave her and Ella in the van everyday when I go get Logan at school. I can always see the van and I always lock it just like you. I never do it in extreme weather conditions or any questionable areas etc. etc. Tell you what...I am SO glad you can 'pay at the pump' now. That must have been such a pain for some mothers!!! I am glad you posed the question...I wish we could have gotten more opinions on it since I too have the same question.
Okay---so here are my thoughts...I leave my kids in the car (buckled in with VERY specific instructions not to get out of their seats, the car locked) ONLY if I can see them in my direct line of vision from where I am in the store. I never let the car out of my sight. Not because I think they are going to get or anything, but it freaks me out that someone will hit the car, take of, just in time for me to see them driving away and my kids still inside. I think that would probably scar them forever to know that I wasn't in the car with them or that I didn't want them to be a nuisance while I "just ran in for a minute." I think the only times I do that is if I have to go in the gas station and I can park by the door.
I don't know about OK but in TX it is against the law to leave your children in the car for any length of time. I am married to a Police Officer, and he corrected me on this...for leaving the boys in their car-seats, in our driveway, just so I could run in and get something out of the house that I forgot. He said "any length of time" (including seconds) is against the law here in TX, and is punishable by law.
So I ALWAYS take my boys with me inside. Even if it is just something quick. Usually I make it a point to go to a "pay at the pump" for my gas, so I don't have to get them out to go inside to pay. I guess living around the metroplex makes me a little more paranoid. We always hear things on the news about mothers leaving their children in the car for a split second, and then someone stealing their vehicle, kids and all! So I just never leave them unattended.
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