We all know leaving small kids in the car is a big no no these days, and that you can be prosecuted for even running in to a gas station to use the ATM. (Though of course our parents all did it). At some point though, aren't kids allowed to stay in the car while you run into the store? At what age? 10? 12? 13? What do you think?
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I've seen some people do it at our daycare. I know one family has a four year old they leave in the car while the drop the younger off. My LO wants to the same, I'm not there yet.
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Good question! With all the craziness in this world today, I really don't know when I'd be ready to!
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My nieces are 9 and 7, my sister leaves them in the car to run a quick errand. I think they are old enough at first it weirder me out, but they live in a town of less than 2,000 people. We live in a city and wouldn't do this, but when we move to our small town of 300 I probably would at this age.
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Depends I think it is your comfort level with LO, area and errand!
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I think the earliest is whenever they are in a car seat they can undo themselves, though that might still be a little young.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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?
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Yeah I'd think 8/9 would be fine.
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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!
http://www.salon.com/2014/06/03/the_day_i_left_my_son_in_the_car/
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@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.
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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.
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@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.
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In my state there's no age limit in the law. It only specifies time (<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.
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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.
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@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.
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@HLK208: 11-13 was prime babysitting years! I looked after a baby at that age!
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The law in my state is seven. That seems about right to me.
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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)
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I think it depends on how responsible/trustworthy the child is.
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@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.
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@mediagirl: the spin off story in that post is about a 6 year old though!
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@winniebee: oh I didn't see that one. I remember reading the one you linked to, though. Yikes.
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@winniebee: that's what scares me too. I've read too many stories about moms being prosecuted for neglect.
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.
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I always leave E in the car when I go into the petrol station to pay for fuel.....?
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@Cherrybee: I used to do that but then a local woman got arrested for that. It's insane!
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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).
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.
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In our state there is a law that specifies age, but I can't remember if it's 7 or 10...
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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.
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@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.
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@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!
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@winniebee:
Whereabouts are you? Everyone does it here.....
Whereabouts are you? Everyone does it here.....
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35 comments