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St. Ann
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that you can be arrested in the U.S. for leaving your kids in the car at the gas station, if you go in to pay for your gas?????
I did this today, and a very stern , reproving voice got my attention and told me that I could be arrested!!!!!!!?????????? I looked incredulous and he just got firmer. I think he must be a policeman off duty.
Do you have to unload the kids, just to go pay for gas? Come on?
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Stephanie
Wife and mother to Hannah '96, Maria '99, Dorothea '01, Helena '03
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Matilda
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Yes, it is true. I think it has to do with the number of kids left and forgotten, but also because of the the carjacking stories that happened when people did something as quick as return a video to Blockbuster.
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Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11 , 10 , 9 & 5 ) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda
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Matilda
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Here is more info about it. You can find more information about why they are in favor of these laws under their FAQ section.
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Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11, 10, 9 & 5) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda
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St. Ann
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Matilda wrote:
| Here is more info about it. You can find more information about why they are in favor of these laws under their FAQ section. |
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So, as I understand FL's law, I can leave my 12 yr. old in the car with her sisters and that is fine. In today's scenario my 12yr old was not with us. 
Thanks for the info Charlotte. It is so sad that laws like this are necessary.
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Stephanie
Wife and mother to Hannah '96, Maria '99, Dorothea '01, Helena '03
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SuzanneG
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It's different in each state. So, in Washington it's a RUNNING CAR that the law is referring to.
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Suzanne in ID
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CrunchyMom
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SuzanneG wrote:
| It's different in each state. So, in Washington it's a RUNNING CAR that the law is referring to. |
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That makes more sense. I think I might be able to count the times on my hands that I have been able to leave my home (without dh) without having to run back inside to grab something I forgot after I got the kids loaded in. I always lock them in the car. I even turn off and lock the car for a Blockbuster or library return run, but getting them all out for something like that sounds extreme to me.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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LisaR
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I've never looked into this, but my own "rule" is 12 and older, because that is also the age our sons have begun to babysit for their siblings.
So, if my 9,6,and 3 y/o are with me, I haul them all in, if the 12 or 15 y/o are in the car, I'll leave them.
But I worry about kid snatchers and things like that, which is part of the reason I keep the kids with me.
I figure my two older are big enough football players  to either look responsible (adult enough) or a deterrant....
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
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many little saints in heaven!
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LisaR
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oops, in our state it is FOURTEEN!!!
wow, well, honestly I think I will continue with my 12.5 year old and or the 15 y/o being ok, I think...
hmm
I almost wish I did not know this!! 
How are people supposed to "know" these laws??
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
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Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
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LisaR
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CrunchyMom wrote:
| I even turn off and lock the car for a Blockbuster or library return run, but getting them all out for something like that sounds extreme to me. |
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see, I'm always fearful that one of my youngers would unlock the car (by climbing into the front) and/or get the car into gear.
My kiddos were the type that could unlatch any car seat by 18 mo or so.
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
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Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
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teachingmyown
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I will leave my 12 yr old in the van with the kids if I will be very quick. She is tall and sits up front in the driver seat, with the doors locked.
If I go somewhere like a gas station or our little PO, that I have to run into but can still see the van at all times, I may leave the 10 yr old in charge, but not younger ones. I have gotten spoiled having older kids now, but for years I had to get several kids in and out of the van at every stop. I did my time. 
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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LisaR
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teachingmyown wrote:
| I have gotten spoiled having older kids now, but for years I had to get several kids in and out of the van at every stop. I did my time. |
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 as did I
I try to remember these little perks when I'm up til after midnight working on Spanish 3 with ds 15, or having those circular rational/then irrational "discussions" that only a adolescent can dish out...
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
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Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
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CrunchyMom
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LisaR wrote:
CrunchyMom wrote:
| I even turn off and lock the car for a Blockbuster or library return run, but getting them all out for something like that sounds extreme to me. |
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see, I'm always fearful that one of my youngers would unlock the car (by climbing into the front) and/or get the car into gear.
My kiddos were the type that could unlatch any car seat by 18 mo or so. |
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My 4 year old can't even unlatch or latch his. Not sure why unless ours are just stiff?
I just don't see how I could function without leaving them in the car for short stints. Like getting home with groceries when they've fallen asleep. The two year old is a mess when awakened and removed from the car.
Of course, I don't just leave them anywhere, always lock the door, keep my eye on the van, etc... I guess I just think it is silly to have a law about it when parents are capable of making prudential judgments about these sorts of things.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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LisaR
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I DO have little houdini's. bedrest was always ultra chaotic.
I will leave a sleeping child in our car if it is in our attached garage (only during the colder months, in the summer you could really roast in the garage. ), and with the window rolled down and the door from the garage to the house left open.(so I can hear if they wake up/get out)
I'm still baffled that such a strict law is in place in my state, and I've never heard about it??
I guess that means that my 12 y/o babysitting at home is not going to fly either, at least legally.... sigh
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
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Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
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LisaD
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California's law leaves a lot of wiggle room, imo. It says that you can't leave a child under six without the supervision of someone 12 years or older if conditions present a danger to health or safety.
To me, if I leave my kids in a locked van, parked directly in front of the ATM, on a day where the weather is moderate, that is reasonably safe. But what if someone else thinks it's not? Hmmm.
Also, I can't find out what the law is in my state for the age for leaving a child home alone in charge of younger siblings.
Why isn't it easier to find this kind of information?!
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Marybeth
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Last Christmas a woman was arrested in Illinois and her baby put into protective police custody. Here major offense...walking 10 ft. from the car with her two older girls to put $$$ into the Salvation Army bucket. They were not going to allow her to call her husband to come pick up her three girls. It was insanity!!! It took until spring time to get her name cleared and the charges dropped.
In the meantime, a woman left her baby for alone for 13 hours while she went to a taping of the Jerry Springer show and the papers hardly touched on this case!!!!
I am always thankful when I can get out and leave my youngest home with Daddy!
Be safe...
Mb
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CrunchyMom
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It seems so wrong that the concern that the authorities will take your kids away is far more of an issue than the actual safety of your children.
I'm not sure that came out right. Obviously, my number one concern is the safety of my children, but hopefully, ykwim.
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Lindsay
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[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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organiclilac
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CrunchyMom wrote:
It seems so wrong that the concern that the authorities will take your kids away is far more of an issue than the actual safety of your children.
I'm not sure that came out right. Obviously, my number one concern is the safety of my children, but hopefully, ykwim. |
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I know what you mean! For example, I haven't really set a rule for how late ds can play with his friends, but they all have to go in when the streetlights come on, so that is when he comes home. I feel that he is perfectly safe walking from their house around the corner back home by himself in the twilight. However, people often misjudge his age to be far less than it is (often as young as 4!) and I worry that someone will see "a four-year-old out by himself after dark"!
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aussieannie
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That just sounds ridiculous! I mean, kids could get run over trying to cross with mum to the store itself with cars coming and going to get petrol...unload babies??!! Crazy.
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helene
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Crazy, but true. I never leave kids in the van. BUT I do send in my older children with cash to get whatever item I need, while I stay in the parking lot with everyone else. Yet another way in which life can be very difficult for those with only littles.
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nissag
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Sure can. That's why those pay-at-the-pump CC thingies are so good - you don't have to worry about leaving the kiddoes.
Fortunately, I now have two teens who are old enough to sit with the little ones if I need to dash into the shop for something.
Blessings,
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Is it true?
