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Don’t Even Think About Leaving Kids Behind
May 20 2008 by Sara Lacey
5/20/08
Cars Leave Little Room For Mistakes
I remember when my son was still tiny, yet was too big for his portable infant seat. Whenever he fell asleep in the car, I was pinned down with him. No more quick trips into the grocery store, coffee shop or anywhere else I needed a swift errand done — there was no more waltzing in with him napping snugly in his seat. (OK, so anyone who's carried one of those things knows there's no waltzing going on.) As he grew, I had to change my way of doing things — for the 9 millionth time since having kids, right?
I remember leaving him in the car once while I went in to grab a mocha latte, which ended in me having a freak-out because the line was really long and each cup of coffee took forever to come up. Not to mention the coffee shop had its pickup section farther from the door than I thought, so I couldn't keep an eye on the car.
Now, any time I get the inclination to leave the kids in the car, I imagine what the headline would be if something dreadful happened. The possibility of something horrendous happening to my children ought to be enough to keep me from leaving them in the car, but considering the public scrutiny of my actions reaffirms my decision. That news, by the way, would detail my upcoming public flogging.
The article would also go into detail about how www.kidsandcars.org reports that 231 kids died last year in non-traffic-related automotive incidents, including hyperthermia (heat stroke), the vehicle being set in motion and power window strangulation. Other parents would be reminded it's about that time of year when kids are out of school and running around with us more, and when temperatures begin to soar. Everyone would learn from my bad example that they need to be careful.
Don't be an example. Despite the inconvenience, NEVER leave kids alone in the car, not even for a quick errand like picking up the dry cleaning. Use a drive-thru ATM, coffee joint or restaurant even if it's a little out of the way and costs an extra couple bucks. Your child's life is worth it.
User Comments
A mocha latte was more important to you at that time than your child’s safety? My Gawd! Thank goodness you have seen the light. Let’s hope your conversion will set an example for all those people who think “it won’t happen to us”, before another child is hurt or lost.
If you leave your kids in the car long enough for them to expire from heat stroke, or with the keys in the ignition so they can operate the windows or engage the transmission, you truly are an idiot. However, don’t let the FOX News mentality take over all common sense in your life. A sleeping kid is not going to be endangered while you are five feet away at the walk up ATM. Not every parking lot in America is filled with kidnappers looking to swipe your baby…