https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:57:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2402217 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 17:06:01 +0000 Cherrybee 2402217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: :shocked: Whereabouts are you? Everyone does it here..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2402214 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 17:05:07 +0000 catomd00 2402214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I do it too to grab coffee, Etc. as long as I can see the car. I'm way more scared of some crazy "good" Samaritan reporting me than anything happening! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2402210 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 17:03:55 +0000 catomd00 2402210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: interesting! I actually looked it up and 8 is the legal age to be left alone and 13 is babysitting age. I am pretty sure I babysat before 13. But separately you can leave a child of any age for under 5 minutes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2402206 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 17:00:31 +0000 JenGirl 2402206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I find it incredibly sad that I worry more about BS prosecution than actual safety in this scenario. Depending on the kid I'd say 7/8 but I'll have to check laws when my son is older. Now, at 3 months, I never leave him, even if he'd be perfectly safe, because I worry about other people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2402154 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 16:15:21 +0000 Keybee 2402154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In our state there is a law that specifies age, but I can't remember if it's 7 or 10... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401988 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 14:14:32 +0000 pinkcupcake 2401988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm too paranoid to leave her in the car for even a second (both of something possibly crazy happening to her and legal ramifications). </p> <p>I remember my parents leaving us alone in the car when we were around 5 years old and it wasn't a big deal at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401970 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 14:05:11 +0000 erinpye 2401970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Even teenaged girls and adult women get abducted. I don't know that I'll ever feel comfortable leaving my daughters alone in the car. At least not for a very long time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401932 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:49:29 +0000 californiadreams 2401932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>the only reason i am tempted to ever leave LO in the car when i run somewhere quick (but i never do - he just turned 3) is because i find buckling him in and out of his 5 point harness car seat a big pain and i usually have to carry him in and out. </p> <p>Once he gets to be the older ages mentioned in this thread, i don't see what the big deal is about bringing him in with me for quick errands as he will be able to get himself in and out of the car and walk beside me himself.....so i guess i don't really have an age in mind where it would be okay as i wouldn't see it as something i'd be tempted to do anyway. </p> <p>As for paying for gas, i can see that being okay when he is older as people mentioned, but i live in a big city where pretty much all the gas stations can be paid at the pump, so it's a non issue for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401920 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:44:46 +0000 winniebee 2401920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I used to do that but then a local woman got arrested for that. It's insane! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401912 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:40:57 +0000 Cherrybee 2401912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always leave E in the car when I go into the petrol station to pay for fuel.....? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401893 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:32:36 +0000 Miss Ariel 2401893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: that's what scares me too. I've read too many stories about moms being prosecuted for neglect.</p> <p>I do remember being 7 or so and having an old lady yell at my mom for leaving me on the car. Which I thought was crazy since I knew how to get out and lock it if I got hot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401886 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:30:19 +0000 mediagirl 2401886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: oh I didn't see that one. I remember reading the one you linked to, though. Yikes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401883 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:29:16 +0000 winniebee 2401883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: the spin off story in that post is about a 6 year old though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401856 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:18:51 +0000 mediagirl 2401856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: but that story is about a 4 year old. I don't think a 4 year old should be left in the car alone. Double their life and yeah, I'd be okay with an 8 year old staying in the car. They know their full name, address, parents name, speak normally and can talk to a police officer if they show up, know their phone number, moms cell, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401847 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:13:53 +0000 matador84 2401847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it depends on how responsible/trustworthy the child is. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401844 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:11:46 +0000 BeachMama 2401844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it CA the legal age is 12? I think younger kids would be okay in the car for a few minutes but I'd be afraid to be prosecuted for it. Though I do leave my 3.5 year old in the car while I drop the baby off to daycare (walking up to the front door of the house and handing him off) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401834 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:04:31 +0000 rattles 2401834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The law in my state is seven. That seems about right to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401833 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:04:14 +0000 winniebee 2401833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: 11-13 was prime babysitting years! I looked after a baby at that age! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401825 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 12:51:56 +0000 HLK208 2401825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catomd00: intetesting. My state recommends that 12 years old's are old enough to be left alone but are not old enough to babysit. I babysat at 11! And I was regularly left home alone at 6 years old and up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401821 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 12:42:17 +0000 Mamasig 2401821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think 9 or 10, maybe? Right now I don't leave them at all even if the car is in plain sight. I'm paranoid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401817 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 12:40:21 +0000 catomd00 2401817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my state there's no age limit in the law. It only specifies time (&lt;5 mins) and car must be within sight. I believe the rule of thumb beyond that is usually the age you're allowed to be home alone and also depends on the ages of any other kids in the car. I think it's 10 here to be alone and 13 to babysit anyone under 10 but I'd have to look it up again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401815 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 12:37:43 +0000 winniebee 2401815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BananaPancakes: I mean even for just a few minutes. I am paranoid about leaving T in the car even for just a minute because I have read too many stories of women running into the store and "good samaritans" calling the police on them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401813 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 12:37:23 +0000 LindsayLou 2401813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think 8 or 9, depending on the kid. I'd also be more comfortable leaving two kids of an appropriate age in the car than one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401812 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 12:35:52 +0000 BananaPancakes 2401812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: Do you mean something as long as running into the grocery store? Or something shorter? I already leave my 3.5 year old in the car if I'm running into something like a gas station and I have the car in full eyesight, but I also have remote start and turn that on (so locked and running) if I leave him. A trip as long as the grocery store...maybe 8-10. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401809 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 12:34:59 +0000 winniebee 2401809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So if we all agree 8/9/10 might be the magic age....I wonder what law enforcement thinks about that? Stories like this make me wonder!</p> <p><a href="http://www.salon.com/2014/06/03/the_day_i_left_my_son_in_the_car/" rel="nofollow">http://www.salon.com/2014/06/03/the_day_i_left_my_son_in_the_car/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401793 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 12:21:08 +0000 travellingbee 2401793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah I'd think 8/9 would be fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401750 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 11:41:04 +0000 HLK208 2401750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is 6.5 and although he can get out of his seat, open the door or call for help, I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving him for a short errand. He gets scared easily...maybe in a few years so 8-9? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401718 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 11:23:02 +0000 looch 2401718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me it's more about principle, as in, what's so important that he has to stay in the car versus getting out and accompanying the driver on an errand? Life is all about doing what you don't want to do at times and I think it's important that my son recognizes that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401689 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 11:07:17 +0000 Jess1483 2401689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There would be other factors (length of errand, location, etc), but generally speaking, I'd feel comfortable when I'm convinced that any child left in the car could 1) get themselves out if necessary, 2) not let anyone else in if necessary, and 3) get help if necessary. So...7/8 ish? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-is-it-ok-to-leave-a-kid-in-the-car-alone#post-2401686 Mon, 28 Dec 2015 11:05:30 +0000 Finfan 2401686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would think at some point in elementary school. Maybe around 8? Possibly depending on where you live and how much your kid can be trusted to stay put? I'm from a small town and would feel very comfortable leaving a 6 year old in the car while I paid for gas (the gas station only has two pumps!) but where we live now, maybe a few years older. The weather outside would have an impact too. </p>