One of my sweet daughers
Today I ran out to the store closest to my house to pick up one item. As typical, I unbuckled all my children, ages 9,6,3,2 and brought them into the store with me. I never think twice about it – everyone always goes in. We got our one item along with a snack I got talked into buying and went back to the van to get in.
Out of the corner of my eye, I look over to the car on the other side of my van and notice children in the back seat. An infant in a carseat and a toddler who was probably in the 2-3 year old range. The toddler appeared to be looking for his mom and I very concerned he would either try to climb out on his own, or that a stranger would notice the car running and try to take off with it.
I loaded my kids in and stood outside in between the cars and waited and watched. A few minutes later, the adult came came out and got in the car and drove off. In her hands was a 4 pack of Angel Soft toilet paper.
My heart stopped. She put her children at risk for toilet paper? I thought about saying something to her but I just couldn’t bring myself to at the time. It honestly just made me sad. I said a prayer for her sweet babies and for whatever she may be going through that required her to leave the kids in the car alone. Perhaps a kid had the stomach bug and she didn’t want them to puke in the store. Perhaps she is a single mom and just spent the last of her money getting toilet paper. I do not know her situation.
Do I think this is acceptable? Absolutely not. I was about to call the police when she came out.
This brings to me a question. At what age is it acceptable to leave my children in the car alone? And for how long? What would you say or do in this situation?
Heather Kelly says
I will admit. I do leave my almost 4 year old and 10 month old in the truck, in their carseats, for a few minutes while I walk up to the front of his school to pick him up. I don’t leave the truck until the last minutes, and I quickly sign him out and run back to the truck, literally, running, unless the truck is parked right in front. In TN the rain and snow, and COLD weather keeps me from being able to take them in and out of the truck without making them colder. So it’s safer for them to be in the truck while I quickly go get my son.
Heather Kelly says
I forgot to add, I DO NOT leave them in a car at the store, ever. Even for a quick run in, I take all 3 kids with me. I never, ever leave the car running. I always lock the doors, crack the windows if it’s not too cold outside. If it’s hot outside, I always take them out of the truck with me, always.
Amy says
I have a 4 year old and 8 year old. I feel like it will still be a while before I will leave them alone in the car. You just can’t be too careful now. There are too many crazy people running around. It only takes a second for something to happen. It’s just not worth the risk. I know my mom still didn’t like to leave me in the car alone when I was 15.