Replies to '12/22 Parents Falsely Accused'

Yes, accidents do happen in cars.  But they also happen everywhere else.  As a mother of 3, I have to use common sense.  Sometimes I think it is more dangerous to take the kids out of the car than leave them in.

I leave my kids in the car while I put gas in it.  I think it is more dangerous to take them out than leave them in.  When my oldest 2 were little, they didn't have credit card swipers and you had to go in to pay.  I always took my kids in but hated having to go through the busy parking lot holding one and holding the hand of the other.  I don't think I've ever seen any parent take an infant out of the car and hold them while putting gas in the car.  The fumes alone are probably more harmful than the potential risk of them staying in the car while I fill it with gas. 

With 3 kids, you have to think, where is the greater risk.  Can I watch all 3 while I do this.  On a cool day, is it safer to have them confined in the car than near traffic while I am standing nearby?  What about changing a tire on the side of the road?  Parents make judgements all the time.  We can't universally say that leaving kids in the car is wrong.  I do think heat is a great danger and am always aware of it.   With 3 kids, I have had to juggle the needs of all 3 and where is a child safer.  Strapped in a carseat while I change a diaper of another in the back of the car or next to me in a parking lot while my hands are full?  Where is the line?  When I put my shopping cart back, is it safer to walk 3 kids with me 30 yards through the parking lot or have them confined to their seats? 

Any parent who says they never leave a child alone must have a very difficult life.  My children sleep in another room.  They go to the bathroom by themselves.  I do household tasks without keeping my eyes on them 100% of the time.  I cook dinner and think it is more dangerous to have an infant by my feet while cooking than have them in a playpen nearby.  Even as infants, children are not watched constantly.  Parents have to use their best judgement.  Yes, accidents do happen in cars.  They also happen in homes.  I have injured myself twice tripping on the stairs - should we outlaw stairs?  Life is not safe.  We can't legislate our lives in the what ifs.......  Educating teenagers with basic parenting rules would be much more productive.