re: Leaving children in the car...

I only leave her in the car to pump gas.
If I have to pay inside, I take her with me.
She's only 17 months old though.
I'd probably start leaving her for small quick tasks[paying for gas, etc]
at around 7-8 with the doors locked.

Quoting Jennybananna:" It depends on the situation. I left my 3 year old in the car the other day because the baby had a blowout, but the car was in the garage and the door was closed. I leave them in when I pump gas. "

Well I pump gas but when I think leave them in the car I think walking more than a foot or 2 from the car. Don't see an issue with the garage.

the law here is 8

Quoting Meg ♥:" Maybe 18? Yeah, I don't know. This world is nuts. I only leave the car to go right beside it to pump gas. Never even go into the gas station to pay. "

They can drive at 16 you know  

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mel & a girl named Pey:</b>" I just pay debit for gas! lol I have taken my daughter out of her car seat to go in and pay before though. Small price to pay for her safety...I don't trust people."</blockquote>




Same here.

Probably 8-10 depending how mature my child is and how long I would be gone.

I'm gonna say 10-12. I leave DS in the car to pump gas, obviously, but that's it. If I can't pay at the pump he goes in with me just because even though we live in a low crime town and I doubt anything would actually happen, if something DID I could never forgive myself. My dad started letting us stay in the car alone with the doors locked when I was 10 or so. I was the oldest and I watched my sisters. I was mature for my age, too.

Quoting Jennybananna:" They can drive at 16 you know  "

Eh... well.. mayyyyyyyybe then.  

I didn't drive until I was 18 as did most of my friends, so I didn't think about that. Oops.

I buckle my kids in 1 at a time while it is winter. Also if they are asleep in the car I go from my car to my front door to set groceries inside. They are 2 and almost 4.

Quoting Barfy McVomitron:" the law here is 8"

Whoa! Blast from the past!

She goes with me everywhere, even to pump gas. The Sheetz near my house had a shooting in the parking lot. A guy saw his ex wife there and gunned her down in her car in front of their kids. If he didn't care that he might have hit his own kids, I'm sure people don't care if they hit mine.

Quoting P3RvYmCp3rv:" I buckle my kids in 1 at a time while it is winter. Also if they are asleep in the car I go from my car to my front door to set groceries inside. They are 2 and almost 4. "

I do this too. In my own drive way I usually feel okay. Sometimes I put DS in the car and then realize I forgot something and run back inside really quickly, but I still lock the doors because I'm paranoid lol.

The only time dd (4in march) is left in the car is when I'm pumping gas. I'll pay at the pump if she's with me. But when she's not I always pay inside coz the charges go through faster. I wouldn't leave her alone in a car until at least 10

I leave my 2 yo and 5 yo in the car while I pay for gas- I can see them and the car is locked.
Ive left them in the car- locked and I can see them when I go into a cafe to get a takeaway coffee.
I think if you can see them, it's locked and its a super quick stop its fine.
I don't feel that it is safe to pump gas while holding a child

Quoting FroggysMommy:" At what age do you think is acceptable to leave a child in a car while you stepped out of the car to ... [snip!] ... to see what you all think before I say what happened   So under what circumstances would you leave your child alone in a car?"

never i think i am very paranoid about that my grandma did that one time with me my sis and my brother and my brother was 6 he put the car in reverse i put it back in park before it rolled into the street kids get curious with all those knobs and buttons chances of the car being put in gear or you getting locked out even someone taking your kids scare me my son is 4 and knows how to buckle and unbuckle himself and is super fascinated with cars i rather not take my chances lol