Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

I have a "mature" nine year old and a somewhat less mature 4 year old and can unequivocally say that I would never in a million years leave them alone in a car. The potential for danger is just to great and what could you expect a nine year old, mature or otherwise, to do if someone approached the car who meant them harm. This is a complete no brainer and imo to think otherwise is ridiculous.

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

BUT:
a) you dont know if the kid was older, could be 13 for all you/we know
b) the dad said there was an adult in hte car with them! maybe you didnt see them?

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

We can all see this differently.

Not to stir the pot, but it seems that those that feel more strongly about it have children of their own. I may be wrong and sorry if I am.

But I guess you take things to heart more if you can picture yourself (or your own children) in this situation.
and from the bottom of my heart, this scared the CRAP out of me.

I myself NEVER EVER leave the car running, even if my mom or sister is in the car, it's just NOT a good position for anyone to be in, never mind 2 children.

YEs, an adult COULD have been there. but it was a pickup truck, and they way they were horsing around, the amount of "empty" space i saw left no room for even a carseat. I checked as best I can before I would have called 911.
and when the guy responded to me, he was a bit uneasy...

I was just looking out for the kids...

Message edited 2/28/2007 7:54:00 AM.

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

If the car wasn't running then I would say no big deal.

But because it was that is sooo dangerous. Especially if they were horsing around. They could easily switch the car into drive.

Message edited 2/28/2007 7:57:16 AM.

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

I"m on the fence. I know my mom left me and my 2 sisters in the car on occassion but for no longer than 10 mins. Was it the right thing to do?... probably not. But when you have 3 small children, ages 4, 5 & 7 (let's just pretend that that's me and my sisters... they're 3 1/2 years between myself and the youngest) and a really small errand to run it's easier to just let the kids sit in a car THAT'S NOT RUNNING than to get them all unbuckled, get one in a stroller, make sure they're holding hands, usher them in the store where they will likely make a scene (my sister was a crier!) and then usher them out, break up a fight between them, buckle them back in.... a 10 minute in and out turns into a hour production.

Is this an excuse as to why it's OK to leave your kids in the car, No way.... but there are circumstances I think....

Like I said, I'm on the fence...

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

I wouldn't have called the police, but I probably would have stuck around to see if an adult came out. I think a 9-year old would be okay in the car, but only if it were for a little while. Maybe a quick in and out thing. Not for an entire grocery trip!

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

I wouldn't have called the police but I probably would have watched to make sure the kids were ok.

But I would have believed him when he said there was an adult in the car unless I got up in the window to see there was no one else there. I would chalk the uneasiness to being approached by a stranger questioning how he is taking care of his children.

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

I would not have called the police but I would have stayed around until an adult showed up and hopefully had the guts to say something to him.

I don't know about leaving a nine year old alone in a car... but a RUNNING car?? No way.

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

I am not really sure how I feel on this, since the man said there was an adult in the car, but to turn it into a mom vs a non mom thing is absolutely ridiculous!!!!

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Here's a story that states what can happen at times like this.

STORY

Also, it was CLEAR that there was NO other person in the car. It was broad daylight, and I drove right next to the car, within 12 inches as if I was parked next to them, and I have pretty good eyesight.

coopersmom, youre telling your story ro someone who has 3 children ages 4 and under. I dont care if I have to strap one to my neck and arms, they are NOT EVER going to be left out of my sight, especially not in a running car, while I went shopping! That's absolutely insane to even use that story as an example, especially to me.

and this car was about the 5th car in from the stores (so he couldnt even say he was watching from the store), and the store he shopped at is huge and he would have had to go in and out of their sight in order to buy what he bought.

Im not asking anyone to change their opinion, I just feel very strongly about my opinion on this. I dont even think a child should be in the passenger seat. I wonder if there were even carseats now that I think about it.

The law is set out to protect us, not make us defensive and justify things like this.

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

and for those of you that said you dont think anything was wrong. (and got defensive since you dont have children).

offer to a mom to babysit her 9yr old and then ask "oh bythe way, im going to leave them in the car while it's running and I do a quick shopping"...
see how that goes over.

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

To be honest with you I don't know if I would have called the police because I would never have wanted these kids taken away from their parents for negligence (I am sure that would not have happened but I would never want to hurt a family), however I know for a fact I definitely would have said something to the guy.

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Posted by Lisa

Posted by Christine

Posted by Michelle

I am not really sure how I feel on this, since the man said there was an adult in the car, but to turn it into a mom vs a non mom thing is absolutely ridiculous!!!!

Thank you! I hesitated even stating my opinion since I do not have children.

I know me too...since I do not have children, I wouldnt be expected to understand how to safely take care of one....

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Really not a mom vs. non mom issue....BUT having kids, especially kids that age affords you a certain perspective on the situation in general. As Anna said, you don't have to tell me it would be easier to leave my kids in the car for just a minute, but I've never done that.

Not to start or continue drama and because I don't know any other way to say this, but I live in what is considered a "very good" part of town. However, in my development in the last two years there have been three instances of men in cars approaching 11-12 year old girls getting off the bus. One of them was my neighbor's daughter, who in my opinion looked younger than 12 and thankfully did the right thing and ran through some woods to my front door.

Also once you have kids in school you will be amazed at the amount of letters home warning that exactly the situation I described above has happened in your town or in a neighboring school district. Just two weeks ago I received one of these letters.

That said I know my mother probably did things 30-35 years ago, that she would not do in today's world. In fact, I'm sure she would tell you exactly that if she were asked.

Sorry if this is strongly worded, it is just my opinion.

Also

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Posted by anna

and for those of you that said you dont think anything was wrong. (and got defensive since you dont have children).

offer to a mom to babysit her 9yr old and then ask "oh bythe way, im going to leave them in the car while it's running and I do a quick shopping"...
see how that goes over.

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Posted by anna

It's ok to have different viewpoints. Im just discussing this, so dont take it as a heated debate anyone

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Posted by anna

and for those of you that said you dont think anything was wrong. (and got defensive since you dont have children).

offer to a mom to babysit her 9yr old and then ask "oh bythe way, im going to leave them in the car while it's running and I do a quick shopping"...
see how that goes over.

Re: POLL: Would you have called 911 ?

Posted by anna

and for those of you that said you dont think anything was wrong. (and got defensive since you dont have children).

offer to a mom to babysit her 9yr old and then ask "oh bythe way, im going to leave them in the car while it's running and I do a quick shopping"...
see how that goes over.