Do you think its okay to leave your child in the car while paying for gas?

Question

If that child is 6 months...3 years... 7 years....10 years?

When is it okay and when is it not?

wow...there are some really great pointers here, supporting either decision

Answer 1

When they are old enough to get out of the car and come get you if there is a problem.

Answer 2

ok let me tell a story that means its true when people say anything can happen... Last summer I stopped at the mail box to run up & mail the letter. It was July & hot. So the mailbox was right outside a big grocery store. So I pulled right over as close as I could & jumped out to mail the letter. All was fine no big deal right. Well anyway i went to open the door to get back in and they were LOCKED!!! So here im in a parking lot 1st off where i shouldn't of even been parked or stending & my 1 & half year old is in the car... I thought ok DONT PANIC! if I panic she's gonna freak. so I went for the cell phone.. OMG its in the car. what now? next reaction ITS HOT OUTSIDE_IS THE A?C ON? THANK GOD IT WAS! so while in a panic my daughter is giggling at momma so im trying to get her touch the botton to roll down the window. so a man standing there asked if i was ok & i told him what happened & asked to use his phone so i walked over to the back of the car & used the phone LEaning on the car. OMG now is rolling ever so slightly.. Needledd to say i have automatic locks when the car is NOT in park!! MY CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL... So to answer ur question never is a 100% safe time. As for the ending to my story >after 2 police men & a locksmith she got a out right as she was getting restless & crabby! SHE IS FINE> & momma always takes the car keys & her whenever we stop

Answer 3

It used to be okay to do those sort of things, but society has gotten so evil, that nothing and no one, (even our precious children), are safe any more.
We just had a child kidnapped the other day while sleeping in the back seat of a car, and the Mom had ran inside quickly. Thank God this person left the little boy and the car once they realized a child was in the back, and he was found safe a few hours later.
People just seem too desperate these days. It's not worth the risk to save yourself a little inconvenience.

Answer 4

Wow... I remember the days as a young parent with babies. That's tough.... it's awierd world today, not just strangers but anal people who'll report you for jus about anything.

I suppose it depends on the location of the gas station. In my little town it shouldn't matter, but then there's those analy-retentive reporters that seem to be everywhere anymore.

You can't legally leave an animal in the car unattended because it might croak on you from heat and suffication. So...better watch out for big brother!

Sheese.... After all this I still don't know what to suggest..... Oh heck with it,, take the sleeping kid out of the car cos you're going to get arrested otherwise! no matter how desolit and slow and country-esque the place is.

Answer 5

I never do, I always pay at the pump and if a gas station doesn't have that then I drive on to one that does.
My mom used to leave my sister and I in the car all the time not just for gas but grocery shopping, the bank, etc... as well. I was always scared and I won't do that to my kids. Not to mention it is a different world we live in today. How many times have you heard about cars being stolen at gas stations with kids in them? Too many.

If you have to do it (one is sleeping or something) then use your best judgement. If you have the slightest uneasy feeling then don't do it.

Answer 6

as long as they're in direct view of you at all times, then it should be fine. If you have to be in a position where you can't see them for more than a few seconds, it would be a good idea to either take them with you (I know - hassle), or find an alternative.
like paying at the pump - a lot of gas stations have that, so you don't have to go all the way inside, and you can stay right there next to the car.

Answer 7

i think it's okay as long as your just running in to pay for gas the ten year old knows enough from the other siblings to know if something is wron with the baby and to get you as long as it isnt to hot in the car and normally you can still see in your car or at least your car it's self when your in the little store things to pay so i think it's okay now if it's like 100 degrees out side and the car is stuffy and theres a long line then thats another story and if there isnt a child that is old enough to know how to behave then i dont think you should

Answer 8

Sure,it's ok.... If you think you can forgive yourself if your child becomes the victim of kidnap or murder. It may be a bit of a hassle to take the child with you,but it only takes a second for someone to take the child even if your car is in view, If you were to see someone at your car taking your child you have to get passed the shock and the reality of it to respond! By that time it's too late!

Answer 9

I have two children myself; a one and a three year old. It bothers me to see parents leave young children in the car by themselves since kidnapping seems to be popular these days. By young children I mean anyone that is younger than six years old.
They do teach stranger danger in the elementary schools as young as kindergarten. If you have two younger children, but two older children, I think it would be ok to leave the older ones in the car with them, unless the gas station is completely packed or you can't see your car from the door.
The only person that can make the best judgement call would be you.

Answer 10

Normally I would say no. Or if I saw something like that I would think probably nasty thoughts in my head. However, i have young children myself and if I can't get to the pump that takes card then I go to the gas station that has the pump nearest the huge window...usually you can pay through the window. If not, then gas can wait another day.

Answer 11

I don't think children should be left in the car alone for any amount of time. I know its a pain to have to get them out and go pay etc... but it happened here not too long ago. a man put gas, it's winter time, went in to pay and left his baby in the car. he came out and the car and baby were gone. Luckely the robber left the car and the baby unharmed a few miles down (haden't realized there was a baby in the car) too many sick people out there !!