Mum sparks fierce debate after asking if it’s OK to leave a TODDLER alone in the car when paying for petrol… so where do you stand?
Some parents have argued it's 'safer' to leave them in the car - but what does the law say?
A MUM has sparked a fierce debate by asking if it's ever OK to leave a toddler alone in the car.
explained that her husband leaves their 20-month-old while going inside to pay at the petrol station, which she would never dream of doing.
The woman, who lives near the Cotswolds, said: "I'm horrified that he's left her and have said I really don't want him to do that again, he thinks I am ridiculous and 'it's only for two minutes'."
The discussion has divided opinion, racking up nearly 300 comments in response, so where do YOU stand?
Some parents have slammed the "overprotective" mum, with one telling her to "unclench".
Trashcanjunkie commented: "I think you’re being over protective. As long as you are able to see the toddler I don’t think it’s wrong."
While BusterGonad wrote: "I always have left my son in the car and I think it's crazily ott (over-the-top) to take them with you.
"I'd be pretty p***ed off if I was waiting for a pump to become free while a crazy over protective parent had to re strap in 3 wriggling babies and toddlers as they couldn't bear to leave them for 3 minutes whilst they paid for petrol!"
And Trilbydoll argued: "A petrol station forecourt is far more dangerous with a wriggling toddler trying to escape than leaving them in the car. I lock it obviously".
Crumbs1, meanwhile, said: "How many children have been abducted in stolen cars from petrol station forecourts? What are the realistic risks? They are, in truth, minimal."
And Lizzie48 added: "The only time when it would be a no-no would be on a hot summer day. Then yes it would be irresponsible to leave a young child in the car."
Is it illegal to leave your child alone in the car?
- It IS illegal to leave a child alone - if doing so places them at risk.
- UK law doesn't give a specific age or situation for this, leaving the decision making down to the parents.
- The NSPCC, however, advises that kids under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for a long period of time.
- The charity adds that babies, toddlers and young kids should NEVER be left alone.
- Chris Cloke, of the NSPCC, told the : "When left alone in a vehicle, young children can very quickly start to get anxious and distressed.
- "Even if they're sleeping peacefully when you leave they could well wake up and get very upset when you're not there to look after them.
- "They would not be able to protect themselves in an emergency and may even try to leave the vehicle to find you."
Others were on the mum's side. Celticmissey said: "Shouldn't do it really... what if the car was stolen or another car hit the vehicle... has happened in the past..."
While jellycat1 wrote: "I would definitely take my toddler with me to pay. Every time."
And ilovepixie, who works in a petrol station, recalled: "A mum left her 4 year old child in the car while she came into the shop to pay.
"The child got out of her seat and released the hand brake, the car then rolled forward into the electricity box.
"The child was unhurt but the car was damaged and so was the electricity box.
"Other customers have also left hand brakes off and cars have rolled into each other. So accidents can happen, I wouldn't leave a child in a car."
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And the original poster was baffled that so many mums happily left their kids.
She wrote: "Honestly I'm surprised by the responses. No mums I know here leave their little ones - I thought DH (dear husband) was in a minority!"
Another mum recently sparked a debate after revealing her husband escorts his four-year-old daughter into the LADIES' loos.
While this woman wants to re-wrap some of her toddler’s birthday presents for Christmas… and other parents are outraged.