Am I in the wrong here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[Of course you have an opinion. That's my point. It's not just semantics--you're of the opinion that the OP chose selfish convenience over her child's safety. That's why you phrased it the way you did--because you had something to say about "how she feels about her kid." And that's fine--just own it, don't try to innocently slip your subjective opinion in as objective fact.

Isn't that was she was ultimately asking?? And this affects you .... how?

Because it's annoyingly passive agressive when people phrase their opinions as facts. In my opinion. Which affects you...how?

You have some serious problems. Finding ill will and ill intent in someone's post on DCUM where there wasn't any is just a display of your own anger issues. I don't think that someone saying "I wouldn't do it, it's not worth the risk to me" equals "I don't think they care about their child." You are just an angry person. Why don't you come to grips with that and perhaps deal with that in a more positive and effective way than attacking someone here.

I'd just like to point out that you're arguing with multiple people, as I am the OP who called you out. So obviously at least one other person agrees with me. And I think it's time to get real, lady. You were being snarky and sanctimonious. That constitutes ill will, as far as I'm concerned. As the PP said, at least own it. So now, you've proven yourself to be a tool, as well. Congrats.

Your point is? Doesn't change the fact that you "called me out" out of anger. Calling me a tool just adds to that. I made a point, you disagreed with it, and got very angry in the process. Look at yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I've skimmed through the comments and have a few to add:
The horror stories are based on accidents. But it always starts with leaving a child (or pet) in a car. What would happen if you went to the newspaper box and came back to find that you had locked your keys in the car?

I would call 911 and break a window, if necessary. Next!

That's awfully smug. The day I accidentally locked my keys in the car with my toddler, my cellphone was in the car also. It was one of the last 90+ degree days of fall and every minute of the ordeal was another razorblade in my gut. This happened because the key fell out of my pocket while I was buckling my dc in the carseat and I did not realize the doors were locked until I slammed the rear door shut and went to get in the driver's side. I have still never figured out how all the doors locked while one was open. That is not supposed to be able to happen in my car. The only time I stepped away from the car was to go into a store to yell for someone to call 911. It took about 10 minutes for the fire dept to arrive and break into the vehicle. I stood there the entire time making funny faces to keep my child calm, trying not to show how much I was shaking.

Breaking a window if necessary is not an answer. There is no window in a car that can be broken without raining glass onto your child. And by time you determine that it is necessary, your child is already in distress. How can any errand be worth risking the child for, but not worth carrying the child with you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And the guy could have watched her for 30 seconds to see what she was doing before immediately whipping out the phone to call 911 before she even walked 30 feet.

Have you ever called 911? They answer quickly. That's kind of the point-- it's supposed to be an emergency and all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And the guy could have watched her for 30 seconds to see what she was doing before immediately whipping out the phone to call 911 before she even walked 30 feet.

Have you ever called 911? They answer quickly. That's kind of the point-- it's supposed to be an emergency and all.

Oops I responded to the wrong comment. I meant to respond to the person who said it would have been impossible for the bystander to call 911 in 30 seconds or a minute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I've skimmed through the comments and have a few to add:
The horror stories are based on accidents. But it always starts with leaving a child (or pet) in a car. What would happen if you went to the newspaper box and came back to find that you had locked your keys in the car?

I would call 911 and break a window, if necessary. Next!

That's awfully smug. The day I accidentally locked my keys in the car with my toddler, my cellphone was in the car also. It was one of the last 90+ degree days of fall and every minute of the ordeal was another razorblade in my gut. This happened because the key fell out of my pocket while I was buckling my dc in the carseat and I did not realize the doors were locked until I slammed the rear door shut and went to get in the driver's side. I have still never figured out how all the doors locked while one was open. That is not supposed to be able to happen in my car. The only time I stepped away from the car was to go into a store to yell for someone to call 911. It took about 10 minutes for the fire dept to arrive and break into the vehicle. I stood there the entire time making funny faces to keep my child calm, trying not to show how much I was shaking.

Breaking a window if necessary is not an answer. There is no window in a car that can be broken without raining glass onto your child. And by time you determine that it is necessary, your child is already in distress. How can any errand be worth risking the child for, but not worth carrying the child with you?

This is a pretty typical response time, and that's why I stated earlier that I would (personally) call 911 as soon as I saw a child in a car and not wait around. You never know how much time has already passed and the risk is measured in minutes for the hot car scenario.

[Anonymous]

If I ever see anyone walking away from a car while a baby is alone inside (which, luckily, I have not because most people aren't that stupid), I would call the police immediately. If you dared to yell expletives at me because of your own negligence, I would just wait until the cops showed up so they could explain it to you because I would want to make sure that the child was never again in that situation.

[Anonymous]

Have you ever called 911? They answer quickly. That's kind of the point-- it's supposed to be an emergency and all.

Thirty seconds is really short, six rings on a landline -- that's after the connection, which also takes some time. Then the last time I called 911 the operator asked if I wanted police, fire, or ambulance services and waited for me to answer. The guy was probably talking to someone already and waited to see whether the baby was OK. It was a kindness.

If I were going to leave a baby or toddler in the car I'd double-park or block someone in. I don't think I've ever done it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I ever see anyone walking away from a car while a baby is alone inside (which, luckily, I have not because most people aren't that stupid), I would call the police immediately. If you dared to yell expletives at me because of your own negligence, I would just wait until the cops showed up so they could explain it to you because I would want to make sure that the child was never again in that situation.

Why wouldn't you first say something to the person walking away from the car?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I ever see anyone walking away from a car while a baby is alone inside (which, luckily, I have not because most people aren't that stupid), I would call the police immediately. If you dared to yell expletives at me because of your own negligence, I would just wait until the cops showed up so they could explain it to you because I would want to make sure that the child was never again in that situation.

Why wouldn't you first say something to the person walking away from the car?

Maybe he never saw the woman walk away from the car. Perhaps all he saw was a baby alone in the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And the guy could have watched her for 30 seconds to see what she was doing before immediately whipping out the phone to call 911 before she even walked 30 feet.

Have you ever called 911? They answer quickly. That's kind of the point-- it's supposed to be an emergency and all.

I've called 911 twice in DC. Once they answered right away. Once it took 5 very long rings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[Of course you have an opinion. That's my point. It's not just semantics--you're of the opinion that the OP chose selfish convenience over her child's safety. That's why you phrased it the way you did--because you had something to say about "how she feels about her kid." And that's fine--just own it, don't try to innocently slip your subjective opinion in as objective fact.

Isn't that was she was ultimately asking?? And this affects you .... how?

Because it's annoyingly passive agressive when people phrase their opinions as facts. In my opinion. Which affects you...how?

You have some serious problems. Finding ill will and ill intent in someone's post on DCUM where there wasn't any is just a display of your own anger issues. I don't think that someone saying "I wouldn't do it, it's not worth the risk to me" equals "I don't think they care about their child." You are just an angry person. Why don't you come to grips with that and perhaps deal with that in a more positive and effective way than attacking someone here.

I'd just like to point out that you're arguing with multiple people, as I am the OP who called you out. So obviously at least one other person agrees with me. And I think it's time to get real, lady. You were being snarky and sanctimonious. That constitutes ill will, as far as I'm concerned. As the PP said, at least own it. So now, you've proven yourself to be a tool, as well. Congrats.

Your point is? Doesn't change the fact that you "called me out" out of anger. Calling me a tool just adds to that. I made a point, you disagreed with it, and got very angry in the process. Look at yourself.

I didn't disagree with your point. I disagree with being a jerk. It's obnoxious. Knock it off.

Oh, and I'll go work on my "anger" issues for you, Obi-Wan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And the guy could have watched her for 30 seconds to see what she was doing before immediately whipping out the phone to call 911 before she even walked 30 feet.

Have you ever called 911? They answer quickly. That's kind of the point-- it's supposed to be an emergency and all.

I've called 911 twice in DC. Once they answered right away. Once it took 5 very long rings.

I've been put on hold on 911 in PG County (as in "911, please hold") and more than once waited several minutes with an "all operators are currently busy" message. So, yeah, 911 is a joke in my town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[Of course you have an opinion. That's my point. It's not just semantics--you're of the opinion that the OP chose selfish convenience over her child's safety. That's why you phrased it the way you did--because you had something to say about "how she feels about her kid." And that's fine--just own it, don't try to innocently slip your subjective opinion in as objective fact.

Isn't that was she was ultimately asking?? And this affects you .... how?

Because it's annoyingly passive agressive when people phrase their opinions as facts. In my opinion. Which affects you...how?

You have some serious problems. Finding ill will and ill intent in someone's post on DCUM where there wasn't any is just a display of your own anger issues. I don't think that someone saying "I wouldn't do it, it's not worth the risk to me" equals "I don't think they care about their child." You are just an angry person. Why don't you come to grips with that and perhaps deal with that in a more positive and effective way than attacking someone here.

I'd just like to point out that you're arguing with multiple people, as I am the OP who called you out. So obviously at least one other person agrees with me. And I think it's time to get real, lady. You were being snarky and sanctimonious. That constitutes ill will, as far as I'm concerned. As the PP said, at least own it. So now, you've proven yourself to be a tool, as well. Congrats.

Your point is? Doesn't change the fact that you "called me out" out of anger. Calling me a tool just adds to that. I made a point, you disagreed with it, and got very angry in the process. Look at yourself.

I didn't disagree with your point. I disagree with being a jerk. It's obnoxious. Knock it off.

Oh, and I'll go work on my "anger" issues for you, Obi-Wan.

I hope you do, because you're angry. Knock it off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And the guy could have watched her for 30 seconds to see what she was doing before immediately whipping out the phone to call 911 before she even walked 30 feet.

Have you ever called 911? They answer quickly. That's kind of the point-- it's supposed to be an emergency and all.

I've called 911 twice in DC. Once they answered right away. Once it took 5 very long rings.

I've been put on hold on 911 in PG County (as in "911, please hold") and more than once waited several minutes with an "all operators are currently busy" message. So, yeah, 911 is a joke in my town.

Agreed. At least old man got through right away or we would have this fun thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I've skimmed through the comments and have a few to add:
The horror stories are based on accidents. But it always starts with leaving a child (or pet) in a car. What would happen if you went to the newspaper box and came back to find that you had locked your keys in the car?

I would call 911 and break a window, if necessary. Next!

That's awfully smug. The day I accidentally locked my keys in the car with my toddler, my cellphone was in the car also. It was one of the last 90+ degree days of fall and every minute of the ordeal was another razorblade in my gut. This happened because the key fell out of my pocket while I was buckling my dc in the carseat and I did not realize the doors were locked until I slammed the rear door shut and went to get in the driver's side. I have still never figured out how all the doors locked while one was open. That is not supposed to be able to happen in my car. The only time I stepped away from the car was to go into a store to yell for someone to call 911. It took about 10 minutes for the fire dept to arrive and break into the vehicle. I stood there the entire time making funny faces to keep my child calm, trying not to show how much I was shaking.

Breaking a window if necessary is not an answer. There is no window in a car that can be broken without raining glass onto your child. And by time you determine that it is necessary, your child is already in distress. How can any errand be worth risking the child for, but not worth carrying the child with you?

Well, first of all, car windows are designed to break into pieces that don't cut.

I'm not being smug (at least, not intentionally). But I'll be damned if I spend my motherhood in constant fear of what might happen. Not only will that suck balls for me, but it will seep unpleasantly into my child. And it's useless, to boot. You can't prevent every possible horrific scenario from occurring. I'd rather know that, in an emergency, I will keep my head and do whatever it takes to get my child to safety. I will make educated risk determinations, and I will live my life, dammit. Otherwise, how will I teach my son to live his?