Would you let your 2 yr old walk across a busy parking lot while you hold their hand?

Question

I have seen so many parents, and grandparents, do this and it really bothers me. I feel like it's really putting a child in danger. I know that the parent is right there with the child and the pedestrians have the right of way, but why risk it? The child should be picked up and carried in these dangerous areas. People are crazy in cars today. I've seen this happen at Target, McDonald's, the mall... those are not safe parking lots. I've almost gotten run over in parking lots and I'm a full grown adult.

Answer 1

i think the danger is the same whether they carry the child or let them walk....if a car were to hit the parent while they carried the child, they would still be hurt....i think the dangerous part about walking anywhere is not that they are walking but rather that a lot of drivers are not looking where they are going, they are driving too fast or trying to do too many things at the same time.....
and since so many people are commenting that you should focus on other things.....we shouldn't criticize this person for asking a question when that is the whole point of this forum....plus she is not asking something silly or derogatory or sexually degrading like so many others...i think she is genuinely concerned....

Answer 2

Well there is a lot of factors but i don't think a parent is putting their child at risk. If something was going to happen and the car wasn't going to stop you know the parent would sweep up the kid and try to get hit instead of the kid. My daughter weighs way to much not including i have an infant to carry too. Do you have children. you would never harm your children and you always do everything to perfect them just because your holding there hand doesn't mean there in danger. I haven't heard of any child getting run over while in a parking lot holding there parents hand. Have you?

Answer 3

My 22 month old walks in a parking lot holding my hand, I am usually carrying my 4 month old. I can't pick both up, I have a bad back. I always keep a close eye on the cars that are around and I make sure he is one the inside of me, near the parked cars.

Would my 22 month old walk w/out holding my hand? Of course not.

And if someone hits you while you hold the child you both are still going to be hurt...holding him is not going to keep him from harm, being aware of your surroundings will.

Answer 4

I walk with my 2 1/2 year old son across parking lots all the time. I have a death grip on his hand and if anything were ever to happen, I could snatch him up in a second. I assume you're not a parent? Until you are, you'll not understand the true meaning and use of adrenaline. It can cause you to do some pretty strange/otherwise impossible feats when it comes to protecting your children.

Answer 5

I've just started letting my daughter walk on her own while holding my hand, occasionally, and she is now 2 yrs old. I do not feel comfortable letting her walk in a busy parking lot, even holding my hand. I let her walk with me once or twice when there were no cars around. I'd rather carry her and have her be a little safer.

Answer 6

As a mother of 4 kids (19,17,16,13).....yes I let my children walk on their own.....HOLDING MY HAND.....not by themselves....even at 6,7,8....my children held my hand in parking lots...crossing streets.....it is just a safety issue......but letting the child walk (as long as they are walking well) builds a sense of confidence.....they are also learning how to behave while walking thru that type of area......because as a matter of fact.....I never had to reprimand my children for "running wild" thru a parking lot....like you see so many kids do....

It is a personal decision....that each parent has to make.....obviously it is not against the law.....or the law doesn't feel as if it is putting the child in immediate danger.

You should find something a little more......um, worthwhile to worry about

Answer 7

With a firm grip on his hand, my son is allowed to walk alongside of me. If I think the situation is too dangerous, I pick him up.
I don't like it when parents walk alongside their child of almost any age up until 10 years old without guidance or holding hands.
My youngest is 21 months.

Answer 8

At least the parent is there and watchful. The ones I hate are those who teach their kids (by example) to cross streets or even parking areas without looking, right in front of cars, and not obeying traffic signals. They should be arrested for child endangerment

Answer 9

My daughter turned 5 on Monday, and I still carry her (she is kinda small for her age). Not because I am worried she will get hit or anything, but because she walks too slow. What is the difference in her getting hit, and me getting hit while holding her hand? When I was little my mother ALWAYS walked closer to the cars, and I do the same with my daughter.

Answer 10

you teach them to walk for a reason! I guess you're perfect and no one else can possibly do anything right? it really bothers me when one parent acts like their way is the best or even only way!
it's your job as a parent to make the decision when to have your
child walk or carry them...especially if they seem to have the situation in control. the other answerer was right... you should find something better to focus on...