Words fail me

[twiglet333]

Just been to morrisons to get some tea for tonight and we parked car in bay as usual....looked at the car next to ours and there were two kids in the back, one was about 3 and the other about 1 I would have said....no adult!!!! Anywhere!!!!!!!

We waited as I was concerned about the kids but still no one came and there was no one around, so I went into the store...I was going to tell customer services when dp texted me to say the mother had come back with her shopping, this was about half hour later.

I cant believe it, who on earth would leave their kids in the car alone when they are that young, and for gods sake in this heat as well???!!!!!! I wouldnt leave a dog in the car in this heat, never mind a kid. No windows open.

I am livid, im so angry that these children were treated like this. Just as well I was there when she came back else I would have had to say something.

[smirnoff]

i hate things like that! I dont even leave the kids in the car at the petrol station.. you never know who might be around....

[Easties]

oh my god thats disgusting
i would have gotten the number plate and reported it as thats disgusting
good on you and dh for being so concerned and watching them xxxxx

[kathyhinsh]

ah, but there have been times when me & dh have needed a bit of shopping & the kids WANT 2 stay in the car, & play ...mind u I naver leave them in this weather, cos they'd over-heat!


Does that make me a bad mother?

[Easties]

ah, but there have been times when me & dh have needed a bit of shopping & the kids WANT 2 stay in the car, & play ...mind u I naver leave them in this weather, cos they'd over-heat!


Does that make me a bad mother?
yes but the difference is hun yours are older xxxxxx

[Easties]

sorry i didnt mean that as a yes you are a bad mother lol theres a difference between your kids ages and 1 and 3

[Al1x]

blimey that's terrible! ... I think it's different leaving the kids in the car in a petrol station as you can see the car at all times... and usually you're not longer than a few minutes .... but leaving young children and babies in the car when you go shopping is discusting.

[essexgirl]

omg it lucky you was around but she probly dose it all the time how awful i leave dd in car when i get petrol but not shopping and she's 8 and in this heat ..... what is the woman thinking off:angry-smi123

[twiglet333]

ah, but there have been times when me & dh have needed a bit of shopping & the kids WANT 2 stay in the car, & play ...mind u I naver leave them in this weather, cos they'd over-heat!


Does that make me a bad mother?



Kathy would you hand on heart have left your kids when they were aged 1 and 3 in a car on their own????? Imo if you would that DOES make you a bad mother.

Obviously older children are different!!!! And im not debating that, its the fact that these children looked upset, were very young and obviously very hot.

[Sarah]

Well I think you should have reported it, 3 and 1 is far too young to leave in a car on their own in any weather let alone this heat. She needs stopping as she's bound to carry on doing it and something might happen next time.

[kathyhinsh]

Kathy would you hand on heart have left your kids when they were aged 1 and 3 in a car on their own????? Imo if you would that DOES make you a bad mother.

Obviously older children are different!!!! And im not debating that, its the fact that these children looked upset, were very young and obviously very hot.
no hun, obviously I wouldnt....sorry I didnt read ur 1st post properly hun, I think its time 4 me 2 go 2 bed! lol

[Tinkabell]

What worries me is if she is happy to leave them in a car at that age, does she leave them in the house by themselfs when she needs to pop somewhere.

I once saw a 1 and 3 year old sat in a car the youngest was drinking a bottle and the oldest was eating, all I could think was what if one of them swallows wrong and chokes.

I would not leave mine in the car at that age, it is too young. Why not ask a friend or relative to look after them if all you are going to do is leave them in the car by themselfs. This is one of the those things that really annoys me about people, they seem to think that because they are sat in the car they are safe.

[Sarah]

I agree Kerri and the trouble is none of us like to 'say anything' as we don't want to cause trouble, when really we should say something or report them to social services. How many of us would ring the RSPCA straight away if we saw a dog left in a sweltering car - I know I would, but I'd think twice and probably not do anything about a child in a car and it's very wrong.

[Seren]

interesting as my childminder left 3 children in her car when she went to the shop last year and was reported and was not allowed to look after children whilst they assessed her suitability to care for children, she had a 2yr old (mine) and her 2 age 6 and 7 in the car whilst she went into a shop. She claims they were in her sight line the whole time and that she was no more than 10 mins. She is still looking after my children and says she learnt her lesson. My Dh didn't think it was a big deal

I would not and have not left my children in the car under the age of 5 whilst I go into a shop, and I don't think I've done it with the younger 2 or left my oldest in charge.

Leaving children in the car in this heat at a very young age is wrong, what would have happened to them if something happened to the mother whilst in the shop or crossing the road.

In this age sadly we don't act as we always think the best of people. I guess I would have hung around to make sure that someone returned to the car rather than report anyone
poor children

[kathyhinsh]

I quite agree, I think leaving a child of any age in acar in this heat is wrong!


& we've only been doing it 4 about a yr!!

[Sarah]

I must admit over the years I've popped into the shop and left the children in the car, never for very long and not very often. It's true though, what would happen if something happened to me in the shop and no one knew the child was in the car, mind you something could happen to me while I'm at home all day looking after the children, at least if they are in the car they have a good chance of being spotted, they wouldn't be found at home until dh came home from work - I've often thought about that.

[lindy]

I would have called the police there and then,its illegal to leave children unattended ina car,especially at that age,its wilful neglect,and i would ahve waited til the mother came back and given her a peace of my mind too:angry-smi123

[Sarah]

The thing is Lindy I don't think it is illegal! Well I can't find anything at the moment to say that it is.

[lindy]

Im sure it is illegal to leave children unattended and cause undue distress,which being in a hot car would do,im sure it comes under wilful neglect.and if it isnt then it bloody well should be Hmmph.!!:angry-smi123

[Sarah]

Im sure it is illegal to leave children unattended and cause undue distress,which being in a hot car would do,im sure it comes under wilful neglect.and if it isnt then it bloody well should be Hmmph.!!:angry-smi123
Oh yes you can be prosecuted if it causes them undue stress as it's the same for leaving them home alone if they are left in danger. I was just looking generally to see if there was any law about leaving them unattended in a car, common sense tells you not to leave them if it's hot 20061008

[twiglet333]

I wish I had seen her , I would have challenged her! paul said she was quite posh looking, and looked very stuck up....

I wonder how she would like to be trapped in a car....im gettin angrier by the minute!!!

[Ellie]

I guess it's easy for us on the outside to question things- am sure if someone saw how I was with my kids during the day they may well call social services! - I rant and rave along with the best of them - she may well be a great mum...

[Sarah]

I was thinking that earlier, we, as parents, all make mistakes - it doesn't make us bad parents, sometimes we just make bad judgement calls, I know I have. Hopefully we learn from our mistakes and don't make the same ones again. Hopefully this Mum was the same and it was a one-off.

[purple_82]

but for half an hour! That isn't a mistake, thats gross neglect! I don't understand why parents do this, or leave babies outside the shop in prams or buggies, it only takes 2 seconds for someone snatch a child and jump into a car, would they go into a shop and leave £50 outside or on the seat of the car?

[Sarah]

No I meant that we make mistakes as in bad judgements, I don't mean that leaving the children was just a mistake it was a bad thing to do, it's hard to explain what I mean on here.
I left my 3 children today while I nipped to the chemist and to get some bread and I did think about this thread while I was in the shop. Mine are 14, almost 12 and 2 though so I think it's really different and I was in the shop for around 3 minutes and the windows were wide open on the car!

[purple_82]

No I meant that we make mistakes as in bad judgements, I don't mean that leaving the children was just a mistake it was a bad thing to do, it's hard to explain what I mean on here.
I left my 3 children today while I nipped to the chemist and to get some bread and I did think about this thread while I was in the shop. Mine are 14, almost 12 and 2 though so I think it's really different and I was in the shop for around 3 minutes and the windows were wide open on the car!


Sorry hun, I didn't mean that too look that is was aimed at you.

[Sarah]

No it's fine honestly, these forums are very hard for trying to explain what you mean and it sometimes comes accross wrong, well quite often for me, so just wanted to explain a little better. I really liked what you said about leaving fifty quid on the seat though, that really made me think......

[wokkies]

oh no is this turning ito a debate, well I for one have never left little ds in the car on his own but the other day when we popped into the supermarket and little ds was asleep and dd(12) stayed in the car with him, all windows open but keys not in the car, but I have seen kids in the car really little ones on their own and stopped and waited for the parents to return and got badmouthed but didnt care cos the kids were distrissed who was in the car on there own, cant believe people can do this to little children in this weather aswell

[Trinity]

There is leaving your kids in the car while you pop into the chemist, baker etc and there is leaving your kids in the car park in the local supermarket whilst you do your weekly shop - there is a big difference.

I have left my kids in the car when like Snow Fairy I have popped into a local shop but the car is parked outside where I can see them and I know that I am not going to be long.

This woman.....or man has left her kids in the car where she cannot see what is happening to them - they could get out the car, wander onto the road, someone could see them in the car and do God knows what them, also anyone could have attempted to steal the car.

I was in a shopping mall once and came out to see a tiny baby strapped in the car seat with no mum or dad around. Katie who was only about 4 or 5 at the time began to panic - now the baby was asleep but it is still no excuse. I went back into Debenhams where one of the guards came out with and she got it announced over the tannoy - the mum then appeared with a few carrier bags after about 5/10 minutes. The guard gave her a ticking off and her reply was that she was still asleep and no harm came to her!! The guard told her in no uncertain terms that she would rather she didn't do it again and if it happened again then the police would be involved and boy, if looks could have killed I would have been a gonner!

[lindy]

but for half an hour! That isn't a mistake, thats gross neglect! I don't understand why parents do this, or leave babies outside the shop in prams or buggies, it only takes 2 seconds for someone snatch a child and jump into a car, would they go into a shop and leave £50 outside or on the seat of the car?

i couldnt agree more!!i would never ever leave my young child in a car for any length of time let alone half an hour.

[TopKat]

I cant believe it, who on earth would leave their kids in the car alone when they are that young, and for gods sake in this heat as well???!!!!!! I wouldnt leave a dog in the car in this heat, never mind a kid. No windows open.

Good to hear. The way some parents treat their kids turns my stomach.

A few years ago, my eldest son was only a few months old and I was walking through the local community centre car park on my way to the shops, there was a parked car with windows that were going frosty...As I was walking past I saw something move out of the corner of my eye and there was a wee baby in a car seat in the back, in just trousers and a jumper. No coat or blanket, and it was a very cold day. Had my wee one bundled up in jacket, cozy toes etc in the buggy and had the cover down to keep the chill off. No sign of a parent anywhere so I rang the police.
Didn't stick about to see what the outcome was incase I ended up attracting trouble for myself with the kids parents. But heard that the police had reported the mother, who had been shopping and to the libary, to social services...I should bloody well think so too. Some people don't use the sense they should of been born with when it comes to their kids. It was a very cold day and the baby was sitting in a cold, non-running car...hardly ideal. There was a folded up buggy in the back, so the Mum could easily of popped the kid in there and taken it out with her.
It begs the question, if you find taking your kids out too much of a hassle why have them in the first place???
Another thing on a related subject that p*sses me off and it is a common sight up here...People who wrap themselves up in hats, gloves etc, big coats the works and have their kids without covers in wee flimsy clothes, denim jackets etc in the height of winter. Or equally as bad without raincovers or waterproof clothes in the pouring rain, whilst the Mum is walking along with her brolly up and a big coat on...
This is turning into a rant now...Sorry. But last thing, last week I was out shopping with the kids, the hols have been on for a while up here. Mine get clarted in factor 50 everytime we leave the house at the moment, us peely whally Scots aren't used to the heat. Outside Boots, there was a young lassie with a tiny wee baby in a pram, lying face up to the sun, no parasol etc. A woman who obviously knew them stopped for a chat, poss a Granny or relative, she asked if the girl had sun block on, to which she said "yes". When she asked if the baby had sun block on, the girl replied "Nah he's wantin a tan". The kid was only 6-7 weeks old at a guess.
Sometimes I have to stop myself from slapping people...Mentally I gave her a good hiding with a frying pan. Pathetic! Some people don't value their kids enough. They make me SO ANGRY.
Excuse the rant but it is one of those topics that drives me crazy!!! It is illegal to leave your dog in a hot car...so why do people do it to their kids????!!!
:fryingpan: 20061008 :angry-smi123

[MrsH]

I have seen 2 similar things on seperate occassions :fryingpan:

One only the other week when a car pulled up beside us with 2 ladies in the front and 4, yes 4 kids in the back !!! One was a couple of months old in a car seat so the other 3 were squished in the back, age ranging Id say from 6 down to the baby.

Anyhow the two ladies got out and went to the back of the car, I assumed they were getting the kids out until much to my suprise I looked up ( whilst eating my lunch) and see them walking in the store MINUS the 4 kids who were still sat squished in the back with the sun beaming in on this poor baby !!!! They were in there the 20 mins we were sat eating lunch, goodness knows how long they did actually leave them there !!! :angry-smi123


Second incident going back a few months, walking back from the local Somerfield, passing the post office I noticed a car parked on the double yellow lines which always makes me grrrrrrrrr anyway as it blocks the crossing..........anyhow I lok over and theres a baby of about 6 or so months old sat in the back of the car with a HUGE rottweiler dog sat next to it :ac39: arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !! I was HORRIFIED to say the least , NOT a parent insite !!!!! I felt so sick at the thought of what could actually happen !!!!!

:fryingpan: :fryingpan: to these insane people !!!!

[emma_buzz]

things like that really bug me. why have kids if you dont want to look after them. i would have completely mad i would have had the shop shout over the loud speakers for her to go back to the car. i even take my two in the corner shop with me i wouldnt dream of leaving them by them self's

[sanjan]

but for half an hour! That isn't a mistake, thats gross neglect! I don't understand why parents do this, or leave babies outside the shop in prams or buggies, it only takes 2 seconds for someone snatch a child and jump into a car, would they go into a shop and leave £50 outside or on the seat of the car?

unfortunately with the first pram I had with cam I sometimes had no choice as the pram was too big to get round a shop but I only did it if I really had to go in the shop for something. I was given it and it was a nice pram even though it was a little old fashioned but was no good for me so I changed it for a smaller one

[Sarah]

If I had another baby I would definately go for a sling. I wish I'd known more about them when I had Isobel, they are so much easier than buggies and you don't have the worry of getting about in shops.

[smirnoff]

see all of these bug me too, but my biggest one is not having children in their seat belts in the car!! DP worked in crash repairs and saw the cars as the police bought them in before it had been cleaned at all.... it only takes a second and really would save lives.. WHY???? I dont get it, but then mine are always strapped inBEFORE the car moves anywhere.....

[Sarah]

Mine too, my children are too precious to take silly risks. I've often seen children sitting on parents knees in the front and back seat, don't they know that even with a seat belt on, if there's an accident the pressure from the belt will crush the child!! :angry-smi123