The whole Madeline thing stirred up the whole 'leaving your kids alone' thing.
This is my scenareo - I live directly diagonal to the corner store (my house is the fifth one down on the other side of the road - terraces) I have left my baby alone if I need to get some milk or some bread or whatever. I will slip my shoes on, put her in the playpen and will be gone for less than 2 minutes.
The alternative is to get her dressed and etc and a two minute job becomes a 20 minute thing.
I know the down side is if I got hit by a car or whatever crossing the road, no one would know there was a baby alone in the house. To be honest anything else that could happen in that 2 minute window could easily happen when I am upstairs sitting on the toilet and she is in her playpen.
What is your opinion?
2007-12-11 05:19:42 · 57 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
These people are hypocrites and don't know what its like being a parent. technically you shouldn't but. come on its 2 mins. what happens when u sleep in the night? thats 8 hours your leaving kid alone. people have to stop expecting perfection from parents. I rarely do it but if i have to. its only 2 mins. To be safe you can call someone saying you're leaving kid alone and if you don't call them back in few minutes because something happened to u, then they should come and check up on baby.
addendum-
for all those fear monger who say what if there's a fire. what if there are kidnappers. what if your kid accidentally shoots himself in the head. etc. i just gotta say those are the risks of living. what if u decide to take your kid to the store and there are robbers there and your kid got shot. wouldn't u be a bad parent then? what if it gets run over by a car. what if it falls down the steps and breaks his spine. what if it got struck by lightning. what if there is MRSA in the store. etc
why not surgically attach your kid to your back til its 18
2007-12-11 05:26:50 · answer #1 · answered by stealthisprofile 3 · 3⤊ 5⤋
No matter the situation it is never ok to leave your baby alone in a house for even a second. It don't take long for something major to happen. If the playpen should collapse or what if someone watched you leave and went in to take your baby, or if a fire broke out .....there are a million things that could happen to a baby left alone in a house even for a short period of time. When you make a choice to have a baby you have to know that it will make certain tasks more difficult such as just a quick run to the store. What use to maybe take 5 minutes may now take 30 minutes but that is ok, the world isn't going to come to an end just because you have to take more time to do something. Childrens services looks at the whole picture and I know locally they have made tv statements that it is illegal and never a good idea to leave a baby alone in the house and they can file child endangerment charges on a person doing it.
2007-12-11 05:32:07 · answer #2 · answered by momof3boys 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think you are very unwise to think nothing can happen in two minutes. Even if the only thing that could happen is you getting hit by a car is it worth it to you that your baby might suffer if this were to happen. Also I think you better get a new clock or actually time yourself. There is no way you can go the distance of 5 houses, pick up something off the shelf, pay for it, and get back home in 2 minutes. I think you would be lucky to make it in 5 minutes. You are putting your baby in danger even though the odds may say nothing will happen, when something does happen there are no longer odds because then it is 100% damage to your child. I also question leaving you child alone when you are sitting on the pot. I know all houses are not designed for child safety, but I sure would find a way to have my child with me then to be separated. Again probably nothing will happen, but it could. A child is too precious to take chances with, when you are a mother it is all about your child not what is best for you.
2007-12-11 06:14:50 · answer #3 · answered by K K 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How horrible for the alternative to be a 20 minute thing... oh my. It would even more horrible if something, God forbid, happens in those few minutes that you are gone.
Lacking poor judgement is no excuse for endangering your child. How can you guarantee that you will be gone for 2 minutes? BTW, a lot can happen in two minutes, I find it tragic that you are so very lackadaisical in your parenting.
I take my children out of the car when paying at the gas station. I am not going to risk ANYTHING happening.
... I was just thinking of this. This question is most likely fake, b/c, really, who would be THAT moronic to leave a baby alone in the house like that? I'm sure that the original poster can't be that stupid... can he/she/it?
2007-12-11 05:51:21 · answer #4 · answered by AV 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Don't you have any friends or reasonably safe acquaintances in the building that could stand in the doorway while you run to the store?
My 18 month-old once closed the front while I was in the front getting the paper off the grass. By the time I used the neighbor's phone and my husband sent his key with a coworker who had a car, my son was crying hysterically.
Try planning better or making it a point to go to the store whenever you're on an outing. It can be a world of new sights and smells and textures for your baby instead of an ordeal.
2007-12-11 05:39:11 · answer #5 · answered by Sarah C 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are neglecting your baby!! Your not going to get hit by a car while sitting on your toilet so don't even use that excuse.
Did you know that an entire house can go up in flames in less than 60 seconds?
Did you know that someone could see you leave your house and break right in and steal your baby in less than 2 minutes?
Did you know your baby could choke and die in less than 2 minutes?
Do you know how many baby's have been Killed by playpens/pack and plays that were later recalled?
Do you even care about your kid? Apparantly not. I hope one of your neighbors catches you doing this and calls the cops.
2007-12-11 07:58:00 · answer #6 · answered by still_crazy_mama 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO
Its simply not worth it,
I would just organize my day better,
I know it might be inconvienient to have to drag your baby along with you,
BUT thats the deal you make when you decide to become a mother,or parent,
My son is a little over a year old, and knows how to jump out of his play pen, and open doors,
WHAT IF, your toddled out into the road,
and got hit , or worse yet taken,
YOU don't think that people around you don't know you have a child, they could easily report you,
you may have even have attracted the attention, of a pediphile
maybe next time you leave, she won't be there when you get back.......
I mean its very easy to find out your information, and who you are and where you live,
Be more careful,
M
2007-12-11 05:38:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Something I never ever did. It only takes two minutes to slip her coat and wellies on and take her with you. Even less to be better organised in the first place. It's not a question of someone getting in while you're out, it's a question of the 101 other things that can happen, when you really need to be in the house with her.
Whatever happened in that holiday apartment that night, a 3yo shouldn't have been left to babysit 2yo twins with access to the kitchen, hot water, etc. Simple as.
2007-12-11 05:32:16 · answer #8 · answered by who me? 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
R U KIDDING ME!!?!!!!?!! A baby is a precious thing. A great gift in the World, and you want to leave it alone?!?!? Anything could happen in 2 minutes. Besides, all you have to do is pick up the baby, and maybe put a coat or jacket on him/her. Seriously as long as he/she has clothes on, just take him/her. If something ever happened to your baby, would you ever forgive yourself just for those 20 minutes? If you absolutely have to leave without him/her, call a sitter from close by. Anyone with brains could see that. (not to be harsh, just when i read this i went crazy.)
2007-12-11 05:41:06 · answer #9 · answered by Ashleigh S 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No I wouldn't, and I have a question to pose to you - If you will be gone for only 2 minutes, why can't you just scoop up the baby and go (assuming she is wearing clothes)? You don't need a diaper bag, etc. Maybe put her coat on in cool weather, but she doesn't need to be prepared for a long haul any more than you do. And if you need two hands to carry back what you're picking up, then it's taking you longer than 2 minutes anyway, so you should take her anyway.
2007-12-11 05:28:53 · answer #10 · answered by oj 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My opinion is that as soon as you become a parent life is less about your convenience and more about the safety of your child.
Never, ever leave your child alone. Ever. Period.
You've thought about 1 possible scenario but it's the 100 that you haven't yet thought about that could come into play.
Be a good mom. What's 20 minutes when it comes to the safety and well being of your child.
Good luck :)
2007-12-11 05:36:00 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋