San Antonio it's fixing to get hot so try not to forget you have a kid in your car (renting, buy)

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by AmberAzeneth

Chaka, I hear what you are saying on a change of routine, but it is your kids(not directing to you personally). Your kids are always a part of your routine, no matter what else is going on.

No, they're not always a part of one's routine. If a parent never does drop off, and does one day, and something happens on the way that they get distracted, that's not their routine. If you kid NEVER sleeps in the car, usually screams all the time, but one day, when you're doing something different, happens to fall asleep, you get distracted because of something else happening (I am not talking about texting/cell phone talking - just about having things on your mind - what busy parent doesn't?) and don't have that very obvious reminder, that's not your routine.

While everyone here on CD would never, ever make such a horrid mistake, instead of blasting people who make this horrible mistake, let's think of ways to help people avoid it.

[sapphire]

Originally Posted by AmberAzeneth

Chaka, I hear what you are saying on a change of routine, but it is your kids(not directing to you personally). Your kids are always a part of your routine, no matter what else is going on.

You're wasting your time. I'm just saying. No sense even wasting another keystroke on it. I totally hear you, but trust me.

[AmberAzeneth]

Originally Posted by Chaka

No, they're not always a part of one's routine. If a parent never does drop off, and does one day, and something happens on the way that they get distracted, that's not their routine. If you kid NEVER sleeps in the car, usually screams all the time, but one day, when you're doing something different, happens to fall asleep, you get distracted because of something else happening (I am not talking about texting/cell phone talking - just about having things on your mind - what busy parent doesn't?) and don't have that very obvious reminder, that's not your routine.

While everyone here on CD would never, ever make such a horrid mistake, instead of blasting people who make this horrible mistake, let's think of ways to help people avoid it.

I do not mean to sound as if I am blasting away, but your kids should always be on your mind to an extent. I just guess that on this one Chaka Kahn(I have been wanting to do that for a while), we will agree to disagree. As far as a suggestion to not forget your children in your car, always check your back seat whenever you arrive at your destination. Hopefully you(not directed at you Chaka) will look and not forget that your children are in your car. P.S. Chaka, Tell me something good.....

[stoneoak]

Originally Posted by AmberAzeneth

I do not mean to sound as if I am blasting away, but your kids should always be on your mind to an extent. I just guess that on this one Chaka Kahn(I have been wanting to do that for a while), we will agree to disagree. As far as a suggestion to not forget your children in your car, always check your back seat whenever you arrive at your destination. Hopefully you(not directed at you Chaka) will look and not forget that your children are in your car. P.S. Chaka, Tell me something good.....

you're forgetting how utterly exhausted a mom is that first year (or first 18 years ). I was so sleep deprived sometimes, I could barely function and I think many moms operate on "robot" mode most days -- just physically - but not necessarily consciously - doing what needs to be done. Add a change in the routine, and yes, unfortunately, an accident like this can happen.

[RodLu]

Originally Posted by carlitasway

For some reason this seems to happen a lot in the summer these days. If you have a child, remember that you have a child and don't leave them in a hot car to die, please.

Oh, man.....I may not be a parent but those tragic newstories about yet another little kid passing-away in yet another damn hota$$ car for one reason or another are just so damn sad.....


.....and maybe other things.....




I heard a lady on TV advisingly-saying something basically like: "Maybe you could try leaving your purse or your cellphone right next to your kid; important things that you definitely will be carrying around with you once you leave the car you could try leaving them right next to him to serve as reminders {mnemonic devices} that: "HEY! YOU HAVE A KID! DON'T FORGET!"

[L210]

That is ironic. You don't forget the "important" things like your purse or cell phone, but you forget your kid because they aren't as important? Or driving your child around is not as routine? I'm not a parent, so I really wouldn't know.

Here are the stats on hyperthermia deaths of children.

Fact Sheet - Hyperthermia Deaths of Children in Vehicles

51% - child "forgotten" by caregiver (253 Children)
30% - child playing in unattended vehicle (150)
17% - child intentionally left in vehicle by adult (86)
1% - circumstances unknown (5)

[mpd33]

I don't want to judge these parents that have to go through this, I can't imagine the hell on earth they must go through. I did hear that the one in NB was one of those situations where the father always took the child to day care so it was not part of her routine. I've never done this and in my horror I am tempted to say I never would, but I am also aware of the utterly selfish state of humanity and how we can so easily allow circumstances big and small distract us from what is truly important. Who can't say they've been distracted from what is important in life for 9 hours by something that is so not important? Sorry, I don't mean to sound preachy, I just feel so badly for the parents, grandparents, possible siblings, etc that are now having to deal with such a tragedy. The purse idea is a good one (or whatever you use to carry money,ID,etc.); not because your purse is more important, but because your purse is always part of your routine. Sadly, the older we get, the more we rely on routines, consciously or not. I think that is the key, working WITH the routine. I wish the government or some other super large organization would sponsor education about this problem. I think the busier we get, the more this happens and it's a damn shame.

[SabresFanInSA]

Originally Posted by sapphire

You're wasting your time. I'm just saying. No sense even wasting another keystroke on it. I totally hear you, but trust me.

Hmmm I'll just rep you rather than saying anything that would certainly come across less......eloquent

[carlitasway]

I'm sorry but if you can remember your purse and cell phone better than your child, then yes, those two things are more important in that person's life. I said I wasn't going to post my theory but I changed my mind. Back when I heard on the news about a woman that did this and said she forgot her child in the car all of a sudden many were 'forgetting' their children in the car. I don't think it's a coincidence. I think many of these 'accidents' are not accidents at all. I'm not a lawyer but I'm sure proving a parent really didn't forget their child is hard to prove. I'm not a perfect parent. I don't have a great attention span and I am pretty darn forgetful but I have always remembered that I had my kids with me, routine or not.

[rd2007]

I can't believe there are some people trying to make an excuse for this.. It is not optional! You cannot ever EVER do that to a kid. I swear it's just WAY too easy for people to have kids.
When mine were young, we could barely make it through a minute of silence before wondering what they were doing. That's the way you have to be. They have to be on your mind 24/7/365. There is no break, no rest, no anything. And they're still worth it in spades.