Unattended young kids in car - would you have done anything?

pinkteapot

Parked in a supermarket this morning. There were three kids in the car next to me. One looked about three, then there were twin babies, maybe a year old.

I looked around but there was no-one about (i.e. the person with them wasn't just returning their trolley). I'm guessing (but don't know) that they just nipped into the shop.

Felt a bit uncomfortable about the situation but I didn't do anything and the car was gone when I got back.

Would anyone have done anything? Said something to the store or whatever? I didn't think quite so much of it at the time, but now I'm thinking if (God forbid) I later heard that something had happened to the kids then I'd never forgive myself.

Not quite sure what to think - I don't have kids yet myself so, while this isn't something I could ever see myself doing, I don't know if it's one of those things a lot of parents do do at one time or another? I can imagine the hassle of getting three littluns into buggies when you only need to go in for a pint of milk!

squirrelchops

I know our local ASDA has a clear policy that if anyone reports children unattended in a car an employee will wait by the car until the parent arrives back. They report to the Police too.

Yes I would have spoken to the store to put out a tannoy or the like. It is not acceptable leaving children in a vehicle unattended at this age.

pinkteapot

Ironically it was an Asda... So I wouldn't be seen as totally nosy and over-reacting if it happens again and I told the store?

My mum said she would have phoned the police!

j.e.j.

I don't know.. if they've literally just nipped into the shop for something and will be back in 5 minutes, and the car is locked so that the kids can't get out of the car and a stranger couldn't get in, maybe it'd be ok.

I am not a parent, though, and I don't think I'd be comfortable leaving youngsters on their own like that, but I can see it'd be a hassle getting three of them out of the car when you're just nipping in for a pint of milk.

marisco_2

To be honest if the parent was parked up outside a tesco express type supermarket, and just dashed in for a pint of milk or similar, then I can see why they would leave the kids in the car. If they were all strapped into car seats then very little could go wrong in such a short space of time.

If I stop for petrol I dont get my kids out the car when I go and pay and I always try to ensure I have a clear view of the car.

Anything than being away for a couple of minutes and I would have taken the kids in with me.

Mojisola

j.e.j. wrote: »

I don't know.. if they've literally just nipped into the shop for something and will be back in 5 minutes, and the car is locked so that the kids can't get out of the car and a stranger couldn't get in, maybe it'd be ok.

I am not a parent, though, and I don't think I'd be comfortable leaving youngsters on their own like that, but I can see it'd be a hassle getting three of them out of the car when you're just nipping in for a pint of milk.

I think people often under-estimate the time it will take to "nip into the shop". Even it's only for one item, a crowded supermarket coping with the Christmas rush isn't going to be a quick in-and-out visit. Even the self-service tills will have a queue.

I'd have spoken to a member of staff about the children.

RainbowDreamer

I wouldnt of thought even 5 minutes being left in the car would be safe. What if the eldest climbed into the front and stood on the hand brake? What if a child tried to escape the car seat and strangled themselves?
Ok so probably unlikely scenarios, but it COULD happen.
I live right next door to a shop. I am a single mother. I wouldnt even pop next door to the shop for a bottle of milk when my children are asleep in bed, for just incase!
I would much rather struggle round the supermarket with however many kids, than risk it and something happen.

I would report it to the supermarket if I ever came across it. Some people may not be aware of the risks leaving the children unattended may cause?

pinkteapot

It's a big supermarket BTW and I was parked a long way from the door, so even a quick in-and-out wouldn't have been less than 10 mins.

My mum was saying that unless she'd managed to park right next to the trolley bay she didn't used to leave me in the car even if she was just returning her trolley.

I guess it's one of those things where the odds of something happening are really slim, so some people do chance it.

DKLS

At what point did parents become so soft? Cotton wool sales must be through the roof.

Growing up there was many occasion I was left in the car usually with pop n crisps and told I could play with the gears but not the handbrake, surprising despite this huge amount of risk I survived to adulthood.

jaqui59

Just the thought of it makes me shudder, I definitely wouldn't do it. Just a couple of minutes of laziness on their part could have made their lives not worth living!!!

marisco_2

pinkteapot wrote: »

It's a big supermarket BTW and I was parked a long way from the door, so even a quick in-and-out wouldn't have been less than 10 mins.

In that case I would have mentioned the incident to the store. There is a big difference between being parked bang outside a shop and popping in for one or two items, to leaving kids in a car a long way from the entrance on Xmas eve when a large store will be heaving and take ages to process your goods.