At what age is it ok to leave your kid in the car while you are running errands?

[Anonymous]

Agree that people are totally ridiculous about this. I pull up and park next to the ATM at my bank and leave my 4 year old in the car while I physically get the cash out (although now he likes to use the machine). The last time I did this I panicked that someone was going to call the cops on me, even though I was standing next to the car at the ATM. I have fond memories of being sent down the block with my younger brother to get ice cream when we were kids...all alone. Those days are long gone.

[Anonymous]

Passersby don't know how old your kid is. 6 is still pretty young. I'd wait til she's 8.

[Anonymous]

I get nervous that someone will report me when I have to leave my baby in the car while returning the shopping cart to its corral.

It's ridiculous!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get nervous that someone will report me when I have to leave my baby in the car while returning the shopping cart to its corral.

It's ridiculous!

I used to work at a supermarket. It's someone's job to collect the carts around the parking lot. So I don't return my cart - if everyone does that, there's no need for that guy's job. I just make sure the cart isn't going to roll into someone's car.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to be real honest. I leave my kid in the car to sprint into the post office/library/etc. to literally drop off a package (I'm talking errands that shouldn't be more than 90 seconds-- and so far, haven't been, because I'm counting).

She just turned 3. This is in/near DC proper.

I know know know I should be afraid of busybodies, but it's just so insane... It's probably not worth the risk (of busybodies, not anything else!) but I just can't not do this-- it's so much easier, and so low-risk.

Just a data point.

[Anonymous]

The problem is with pp sort of thing is there are children who have died because mom was doing a quick errand and just forgot about child. It happens..you get distracted. A young child in a car can overheat quickly. Also, a friend who is a police office says 11 is the most dangerous age for kidnappings for children. Parents think they can handle being off alone and they are still vulnerable. Thank god for busy bodies..it keeps wacky/lazy parents from doing dumb things.

[Anonymous]

I didn't leave my kid alone in the car until I was sure he could contact me if he was abducted. I know it really isn't a likely scenario, but I wanted him to be able to tell the police his name, address and phone number in case we were separated.

At about 12, they will refuse to leave the car with you for quick errand anyway.

Just make sure you never leave the car running OR even just the keys in the ignition. Most criminals aren't looking for a kid to kidnap, but they can be looking for a car to steal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be real honest. I leave my kid in the car to sprint into the post office/library/etc. to literally drop off a package (I'm talking errands that shouldn't be more than 90 seconds-- and so far, haven't been, because I'm counting).

She just turned 3. This is in/near DC proper.

I know know know I should be afraid of busybodies, but it's just so insane... It's probably not worth the risk (of busybodies, not anything else!) but I just can't not do this-- it's so much easier, and so low-risk.

Just a data point.

I've started sending my 4 yr old IN by herself while I wait in the car. She is so proud of herself and people think it's adorable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get nervous that someone will report me when I have to leave my baby in the car while returning the shopping cart to its corral.

It's ridiculous!

I used to work at a supermarket. It's someone's job to collect the carts around the parking lot. So I don't return my cart - if everyone does that, there's no need for that guy's job. I just make sure the cart isn't going to roll into someone's car.

No, you're just a lazy jerk. I worked at a supermarket before too. I would NEVER leave my cart in the middle of the parking lot. The cart collectors job is to get the carts from the cart return and bring them back to the store. Your job, if you choose to use a cart, is to return it to the cart return or the store, whichever is closer. You have no way of knowing that your cart won't roll into someone's car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get nervous that someone will report me when I have to leave my baby in the car while returning the shopping cart to its corral.

It's ridiculous!

I used to work at a supermarket. It's someone's job to collect the carts around the parking lot. So I don't return my cart - if everyone does that, there's no need for that guy's job. I just make sure the cart isn't going to roll into someone's car.

No, you're just a lazy jerk. I worked at a supermarket before too. I would NEVER leave my cart in the middle of the parking lot. The cart collectors job is to get the carts from the cart return and bring them back to the store. Your job, if you choose to use a cart, is to return it to the cart return or the store, whichever is closer. You have no way of knowing that your cart won't roll into someone's car.

Noooo I'm not a lazy jerk. And I don't leave the cart in the middle of the parking lot. I leave it near yellow or white lines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is with pp sort of thing is there are children who have died because mom was doing a quick errand and just forgot about child. It happens..you get distracted. A young child in a car can overheat quickly. Also, a friend who is a police office says 11 is the most dangerous age for kidnappings for children. Parents think they can handle being off alone and they are still vulnerable. Thank god for busy bodies..it keeps wacky/lazy parents from doing dumb things.

Oh, for the love.... I read that Gene Weingarten article. I get it. But 90 seconds when I'm actively counting in my head (usually don't get past 40 seconds)? And I have ADHD. No. Just no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be real honest. I leave my kid in the car to sprint into the post office/library/etc. to literally drop off a package (I'm talking errands that shouldn't be more than 90 seconds-- and so far, haven't been, because I'm counting).

She just turned 3. This is in/near DC proper.

I know know know I should be afraid of busybodies, but it's just so insane... It's probably not worth the risk (of busybodies, not anything else!) but I just can't not do this-- it's so much easier, and so low-risk.

Just a data point.

I've started sending my 4 yr old IN by herself while I wait in the car. She is so proud of herself and people think it's adorable.

That's a great idea! Will do in about a year.

[Anonymous]

My 6 year old would be totally fine in the car by herself if I run in and out of a store, but I am too nervous to do it. I'm too afraid someone would call the cops.

FYI, it's illegal to leave a child under the age of 8 in a car alone in Maryland. (Virginia and DC don't have a specific law.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 4.5 yr old would be fine by herself or with her almost 3 yr old sister. The almost 3 yr old wouldn't be cool by herself.

I just wouldn't do it because of idiots who'd call the police.

What about idiots who would steal your child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be real honest. I leave my kid in the car to sprint into the post office/library/etc. to literally drop off a package (I'm talking errands that shouldn't be more than 90 seconds-- and so far, haven't been, because I'm counting).

She just turned 3. This is in/near DC proper.

I know know know I should be afraid of busybodies, but it's just so insane... It's probably not worth the risk (of busybodies, not anything else!) but I just can't not do this-- it's so much easier, and so low-risk.

Just a data point.

I've started sending my 4 yr old IN by herself while I wait in the car. She is so proud of herself and people think it's adorable.

If the car was parked outside the door of mac market and you were standing on the sidewalk at the door.