Leaving a child "unattended" in a car (day care, parent, activities)
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What I did was load the groceries into the car, and take the child in the cart to the cart station. I then carried the child to the car.
What about an older child who wasn't in the cart to begin with? They are safer in the car than they are standing in the parking lot while you unload the groceries.
I try to be considerate with things like putting the cart away, but I'm not going to endanger my kids to do it. It isn't laziness unless you are alone, able-bodied, and still don't put your cart away.
What about an older child who wasn't in the cart to begin with? They are safer in the car than they are standing in the parking lot while you unload the groceries.
I try to be considerate with things like putting the cart away, but I'm not going to endanger my kids to do it. It isn't laziness unless you are alone, able-bodied, and still don't put your cart away.
Exactly. I'd bet it's statistically more dangerous for a child driving to and from the store than sitting in the car while mom puts away the cart.
I'm more worried about somebody calling the police on me than anything happening to my kid. The likelihood of a sudden car jacking or kidnapping is very slim, and I'd never be dumb enough to leave my kid alone in a locked car in extreme hot or cold, or for a long period of time. I have on occasion forgotten my cell phone, and ran back into the house to get it leaving her in the car for no more than 30 secs, or paid for gas, while making sure I could see the car the entire time, but I don't see that as being neglectful. There are some who do, and would be more than happy to call social services on me for that though. Once, at a store, I put my daughter in her car seat, loaded the groceries into the car, LOCKED the car, then walked no more than 10 feet away to put the grocery cart in the corral, and someone was writing down my license plate number. There's always somebody ready to jump with both feet into your business, so I would be careful for that reason alone.
A friend just told me a similar story. She left one kid in the car to walk to the front door of the church preschool, didn't go inside, was mere feet away from the car, and in full view, and someone walked up and was ready to call the police. ridiculous.
I have a related question and I'm curious what your answers will be.
At what age would you consider splitting up in a Target store. I'm going to be in housewares, but my son wants to go to the toy department alone. ??
Same question regarding a mall. At what age would you say, "Let's meet at the fountain in 2 hours".
Oh, and for a child of average maturity.
Do a search for the recent thread about the girl almost getting kidnapped at walmart. She was 7, and her mom was in another part of the store. I'm not going to give you an age because my kids aren't there yet. the oldest is only 8. I probably wouldn't do that any earlier than I'd leave them at home alone.
Exactly. I'd bet it's statistically more dangerous for a child driving to and from the store than sitting in the car while mom puts away the cart.
My biggest worry was always about getting hit by a car, or passing out or something between my car and the cart return, and no one knowing to look for my kids in the car. They are old enough to get out and alert someone now.
Do a search for the recent thread about the girl almost getting kidnapped at walmart. She was 7, and her mom was in another part of the store. I'm not going to give you an age because my kids aren't there yet. the oldest is only 8. I probably wouldn't do that any earlier than I'd leave them at home alone.
I was wondering because my son and DH and I split up at Target for the first time last week and he is 11 yrs old. He was a little nervous about it and I wonder if that means he wasn't ready? But I made light of it and said, "What, do you want the first time you are out somewhere alone to be when you get your first job at 15?" We reviewed safety procedures and a meeting time/place (about 30 mins). I even gave him my iPhone and told him he could call or text if something came up.
I have a related question and I'm curious what your answers will be.
At what age would you consider splitting up in a Target store. I'm going to be in housewares, but my son wants to go to the toy department alone. ??
Same question regarding a mall. At what age would you say, "Let's meet at the fountain in 2 hours".
Oh, and for a child of average maturity.
I think a lot depends on the individual child. My son at about 10 became a lot more aware of his environment, who and what was around him. I wouldn't worry so much about stranger-danger, as we know the real risk is small, but I would worry more about would the child know what to do if they got lost and started panicking, how resourceful are they, that sort of thing.
I have a related question and I'm curious what your answers will be.
At what age would you consider splitting up in a Target store. I'm going to be in housewares, but my son wants to go to the toy department alone. ??
Same question regarding a mall. At what age would you say, "Let's meet at the fountain in 2 hours".
Oh, and for a child of average maturity.
My daughter's turning ten in two weeks and we're still not at that point yet. If she wants to go to the toy department and I want to go to housewares, then we go to housewares first and the toy department afterwards. The only one who's allowed to wander off at the store so far is Daddy, who goes to the electronics department.
My daughter's turning ten in two weeks and we're still not at that point yet. If she wants to go to the toy department and I want to go to housewares, then we go to housewares first and the toy department afterwards. The only one who's allowed to wander off at the store so far is Daddy, who goes to the electronics department.
That made me laugh. I have a far harder time keeping track of my husband in the store than my kids.
The only "incident" we have ever had was my son came charging up to us one day with an odd look on his face, I expected the worst, but then he said someone was standing next to him in the store who smelt really bad.
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