I just want to start out by saying that I am not a parent but as a former child care instructor (yes I was a former child care instructor), it baffles me why parents would leave a young child in a car, even if it's for 30 seconds.
I was watching Good Question on WCCO Channel 4 last week and it's amazing that parents leave their child in a car. I'm not sure if it's bad parenting or their child is invisible to others but leaving a child in a car, even for a few seconds seems like a bad idea. Until he/she turns 18, you (the parent) are responsible for that child.
When I was working for the S'more Fun program at a recreation center in St. Paul, I would walk from the street into the parking lot and I would see a young child in there, while their parent's are dropping their 5 year old into the program. Seeing that the Como area is a "richy" neighborhood and "nothing bad happens", I can see where you might be tempted to leave your infant behind, but come on. You never know what's going to happen. My thoughts seeing that young child are "What is this parent(s) smoking" or "I wonder if the door is unlocked".
While I would not do anything (besides a speeding ticket, I have a clean criminal record), someone else would not be thinking what I'm thinking. The other person might be thinking "All right. A young child. Jackpot." You'll be making a kidnapper's day. It only takes a few seconds for someone to open or break into your vehicle. It does not matter how close your are or how short your stop will be. You are putting your child in serious danger.
As I said, I'm not a parent and not trying to “preach to the choir” by no means, but use a little common sense. I wouldn't want my young child(ren) sitting in a vehicle with no one in there, even if the doors are locked. Think twice before running into the store to grab that one item and think to yourself: "Is it worth the risk to put my child(ren) in danger for one item?" The thought of leaving my child(ren) in a vehicle while running that "one little errand" and something happens makes me want to cringe.
I will say, however, as a child care instructor, that children are ONE of the most important relationships that we'll ever have in our lifetime. I still remember like its yesterday that I was playing dodgeball, trench and basketball in the gym and playing tag on the play equipment outside. It made me feel like a kid again. Truth be told, I'm looking forward to the day I can do that stuff with my own kids.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
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Yeah I am not sure why parents do that. Back in the day people used to leave kids in the car all the time. I am not sure if this is a reflection on them or a reflection on how society has become that we would have to worry about it. Either way you can't leave them alone anymore.
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