When you go to the petrol station...
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Topic: When you go to the petrol station...
Posted By: mountaingoat
Subject: When you go to the petrol station...
Date Posted: 09 May 2009 at 9:44pm
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...to fill up, do you take bubs in to pay, or leave him/her in the car?
I have been taking her in, just 'cos I don't know the protocol! Is this right? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Genie
Date Posted: 09 May 2009 at 9:58pm
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I think its the right thing to do. I am often shocked seeing wee ones left in cars at the supermarket etc. It doesn't take much to end up taking longer than you expect and really anything could happen. I'd say do what feels right to you. ------------- 
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Posted By: Genie
Date Posted: 09 May 2009 at 10:10pm
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Yeah I think the petrol station is way less dodgy since you can see them at least but I still don't feel quite right about it. Just paranoid I guess. -------------
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Posted By: BaAsKa
Date Posted: 09 May 2009 at 10:24pm
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yip i leave mine in the car with doors locked at gas station but only if i can still see car at all times from window etc plus the petrol attendants are usually standing there entertaining them through the window! lol, I wouldnt do it with supermarkets or dairies etc just bcos most of the time i cant see them!
I must admit though that i do sometimes leave Bay (5) locked in the car when i run into dairy to get small things. |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 09 May 2009 at 11:18pm
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I leave them in the car at the service station...unlocked but I have the keys...never thought of locking it
would never leave them at the supermarket, but would at a dairy if I was popping in to grab milk and I was parked right outside.
have had to leave them across the road as I had to get DH's watch fixed and when I came to pick it up there were no parks. I felt uncomfortable doing that but there was noway I was getting 2 of them out and into buggy for a 2min job....I locked them in that time (with window down) |
Posted By: NovemberMum
Date Posted: 09 May 2009 at 11:20pm
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I Mostly fill up at pak n save so leave Megan in the car.
if I go to a normal petrol station I will leave her in the car and make sure it is locked..certainly a lot quicker than having to take her out and carry her..forget getting her to walk cause it would take us 5 minutes just to get across the forecourt..lol oh and yes I agree with the supermarket Megan always comes with me when I go to the supermarket even if I am only getting a couple of things ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: FreeSpirit
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 8:30am
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At the petrol station, I get out and fill the car while playing peek-a-boo, then get her out of the car to come with me while I go and pay. Our petrol station is hideously busy, often standing in queue for up to 10 minutes. ------------- http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 9:26am
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Do we not have prepay pumps out here? serious question, I was just thinking about it. I leave mine in the car with the doors locked and my windows are blacked out so you can't tell there are kids in the car. I also park at the pump nearest to the shop and don't get petrol if they are too busy or if I can I fill up when I"m out and about without the kids. When I use to look after my nephew in the UK though I always use to pay at the pump, but I can't remember if I've ever seen that available out here. They also have drive through stations in the UK which are handy as well, can't remember seeing one of them here though either. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 10:31am
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cuppatea some do have pay at the pumps... i ty to use those if i have the kids cause i really dont want to take them all out of the car. i normally use pak n save too tho cause you pay at the pump or get hubby to do it. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: RBsMama
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 10:34am
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I usually get petrol when I'm by myself or if DH is with me, but on the 2 occasions when it's been me and bubs, I get the petrol, then drive to the park near the door and get bubs out. First time, I think the attendant inside thought I was going to do a runner, until he seen me with a baby, hehe. I don't feel comfortable leaving him in the car, just incase it takes longer at the counter than expected.
Cuppatea, there used to be pay at the pump facilities a few years ago, but they removed the option to do that. Not sure why  . Maybe the cost for the eftpos lines etc. Bummer as it would be alot easier for parents.------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 11:15am
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Leave them in the car and pay but do lock the car. When I collect DS2 who is 3 years from creche then I leave DS1 who is 6 in the car with the twins. Windows are tinted so hard to see inside. I also have a walkie talkie so DS1 can talk to me if he needs to. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Alex 6 and Harry 8 |
Posted By: Lulu
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 11:37am
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For quick stops like the gas station or collecting/posting the mail I leave J in the car. I make so many quick stops I would be forever getting her out! ------------- Lou http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: first
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 1:19pm
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I leave Ds in the car but I don't lock the car because I am concerned that if I didn't need to get him out quickly that unlocking could be a problem. When I am saying this I am thinking of an accident I saw where the petrol caught on fire as the parent was pumping and her babe was inside the vehicle. I also try to move the car away from the pump before going in to pay to reduce fire hazard, I keep the keys with me.
I would never leave DS in the car if at supermarket. I don't even like leaving him in the car in my driveway if he fulls asleep I sit in the car with him till he wakes. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/"> 
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Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 2:15pm
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I leave Jack in the car at the petrol station but I never really like doing it. I take the keys with me but never lock the car in case he needs to be taken out quickly. I always make sure I can see the car and if there is a long queue (which there usually isn't) then I wait by the car until the queue gets shorter or disappears. ------------- Lindsey 
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 2:43pm
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I leave mine in the car at the gas station. I park so I can see them. But here it is fine. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 3:00pm
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Word of warning for those that don't lock your car door, I know of an incident where a car got stolen while the person went to pay, it was all caught on CCTV but still very scary and be worse if there was a baby/child in the car. This was in Akl BTW. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 3:01pm
I leave mine in the car with a big sign saying "steal us!" but so far no-one's taken me up on it 
The first time I went to the gas station after I had Maya, I made the poor attendant stand there and watch her while I went in and paid coz she was asleep and I didn't want to disturb her. But these days the logistics of getting 3 or 4 kids out of the car while I pay for the petrol is insane, so I leave them. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 3:38pm
| I leave the kids in the car don't lock but take keys with me. Have left Jack asleep in the car while I did groceries, we needed food and he refused to get out of the car. |
Posted By: Cassie
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 4:13pm
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I usually plan to get petrol when DH is in the car, or on the way to daycare drop off for Ivy - I can park at the pump right by the door and always just pass cash to the attendant who comes out! lol
If I had to go in, I'd definitely take the girls. I never leave them in the car unless I'm literally just going a few steps away from it. My mum would kill me if she thought I was leaving them alone lol and I'd just worry too much. Lauren tends to get pretty upset if she can't see me anyways, so it's just better for us both if I take her with me everywhere. ------------- ~Cassie~   
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Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 5:57pm
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I usually fill up at Pak n Save or Gull (both pay at the pump). If going to a normal petrol station I'd leave them in the car and lock it.
If they were going to be out of my sight i.e. dairy or supermarket, I'd take them with me. ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 6:49pm
I'm surprised at this. I thought it was actually illegal to leave a child in a car unattended. PLEASE correct me if I am wrong 
I now always fill up at new world if I have the kids with me. So much easier as I'm right there, Cooper seems to sense when I get out of the car so starts crying, thing that annoys me is that I can't leave the pump to sooth him as it doesn't have that lock on thing. I remember leaving Alia in the car at the shell & standing there eye balling her & pointing at her to stay! Too much stress so I went to the self serve pumps. It is such a pain in the arse getting Cooper in & out for little jobs and those are the times I wish I had a capsule. I would always lock my car if I left it, it only takes a few secs for some one to hotwire your car. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 8:41pm
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Aliasmum - It is illegal my sister is a cop.
I don't get much of a choice! With twins its impossible The supermarket is the worst. I have to leave them in the car while I get a double seat trolley. I hate doing it but I really don't have a choice.
The other day I went to the supermarket. I parked as close to the entrance as I could, locked the door and ran inside to get the double seat trolley and as I came out I saw a lady walking past my car she looked in, saw my kids and started freaking out. When I say freaking out I mean she was looking around for someone to call over and looked really pissed off. I just came up to the car with the trolley and said they're mine its ok. She proceeded to tell me how wrong I was to leave my girls in the car and hadn't I heard of that woman whos car & baby were stolen a while ago? I was shocked! I know it's not right to leave a baby in a car but COME ON!!!! I was gone for 30 seconds at the most! Besides what was I meant to do?!?! I told her maybe she should try having twins and went about my business. -------------  
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 8:44pm
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Maya wrote - [/B
I leave mine in the car with a big sign saying "steal us!" but so far no-one's taken me up on it Haha I need me one of those! -------------
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: yummymummy
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 8:46pm
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When we only had Gina, I used to take her in to pay. For one, she used to get upset if left alone plus it was easy enough to do it.
Now that we have two, I leave them in the car but always lock it and make sure I can see them. They keep each other company and it only takes a minute. ETA: In saying that, I always try and fill up when I'm either by myself or when my husband is with me so one of us can stay with the girls. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 9:16pm
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I used to carry DD1 in with me but after a while I realised just how short a time they have to wait (kinda like me going to the loo!) so I started leaving them in there. Can you imagine unloading 4 under 6 these days just to pay for petrol LOL. Three of them still need help to buckle back in!!
As for the legality of it, watching them from a petrol shop window isn't IMO "unattended". If it was, then it also would be illegal for me to pack the kids into the car then go back in the house to grab my bag! And these days it's the bag, and the other bag, and the food, and the shopping list..... ------------- |
Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 9:43pm
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I could never leave my kids in the car, I mean you take your wallet/handbag with you into the store, why wouldn't you take your child! I know for me what's more important. *shrug* ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
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Posted By: Genie
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 9:47pm
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I think how I would feel if something were to happen and to me it just isn't worth it. -------------
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 10:56pm
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I watched a program not too long ago where a Mum was not very far from her car & got done for it I think. Not sure what country it was.
Thanks Lisa, I thought it was just wasn't 100% sure. We are lucky with our supermarket that the baby trolley's are all right in front of the baby parks so even if you can't get an actual baby park you can get one really close & you don't have to go inside to get one. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com">
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 11:04pm
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I agree with busymum that its not really unattended if you are still watching them...ie attending to them. As forgoing back into the house for things...I have to load Tom, then go back in to get James.
At the supermarket I have to load them both in and then dash back into the supermarket with the Trolley.....far safer than taking them back in with me and having to cross in front of cars with a toddler and a baby. I guess its different down here in a small town. I usually lock it. |
Posted By: NovemberMum
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 11:08pm
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it is all about what we as parents feel comfortable doing.
I wouldn't expect a parent with 3-4 preschoolers to take all her children out and take them in to the petrol station shop to pay by the time you get all the children ,,,you could have gone in and paid. and then imagine having to put them all back in their carseats and making sure they are all buckled in. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Snappy
Date Posted: 11 May 2009 at 6:38am
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DH usually gets petrol money out for me on pay day, so when I go to get petrol I just put $60 in and give the attendant on the forecourt the cash.
I have gone in to pay a few times when the attendant wasnt out there, and never lock the door in fear of there being a fire and the kids not being able to be rescued  Obviously I am more paranoid about fire than I am baby-stealers
------------- Mummy to two beauties... Formerly Kaiz. |
Posted By: mountaingoat
Date Posted: 11 May 2009 at 10:06am
That is shocking! People don't understand, ay. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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lisa85 wrote:Posted By: Summersmummy
Date Posted: 11 May 2009 at 1:42pm
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I guess its what you feel comfortable with, but I have to say im surprised with the majority of responses.
There is absolutely no way i would leave my children in the car at the petrol station. It only takes a second to hotwire a car, and if you lock them in, what happens if it catches fire or the car next to you??? How about planning ahead and going out while DH is at home or the children are at daycare and getting fuel then??? Just a suggestion. Trust me, the news headlines wouldnt be so kind if something were to go wrong. |
Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 11 May 2009 at 2:05pm
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.mel, you take your wallet/handbag into the store because you have to pay! I also leave my handbag in the car on occasion if I am doing something quick and will be locking the car. I feel that where I live it isn't such a problem.
Summersmummy, maybe it is different in the USA than here but I really don't see a problem leaving them in the car for 2 minutes to pay. I always have at least the twins in the car and it doesn't always work out the fill up is in the weekend when DH is around. With four kids, two of them 8 week twins, you have to do what you have to do. If I was really concerned I could always fill up when DH gets home but I'm not that concerned about it. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
Alex 6 and Harry 8 |
Posted By: Niecey
Date Posted: 11 May 2009 at 2:19pm
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i really feel for ya Lisa. How can you manage with twins without walking away from them for just a sec? Sometimes I just want to set DS down for a sec and the only place available is the floor (when you're out of the house)! Go figure! I never end up doing it cuz that floor is nasty dirty and I'd get even nastier looks! Oh, and as for me, I leave my DS in the car locked while I go in to pay. At the supermarket, you can't see them and I'm sure that someone will ring the police to say someone's left their baby in the car alone! Not cool! Besides, you have to worry about someone taking the opportunity to steal your car when you're not looking! ------------- Denise http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Summersmummy
Date Posted: 11 May 2009 at 2:59pm
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Linda - I only moved here 5 months ago from Palmerston North, but still took DD out of the car or used the pay at pump ones.
As you said, you are comfortable with it so no worries. |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 11 May 2009 at 7:04pm
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LOL if I could only fill up when I had Willie with me, I'd never be able to go anywhere... ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Aprilfools
Date Posted: 12 May 2009 at 12:51pm
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What happened to the pay at the pump at Mobil? Several times since Harper was born I have gone to a mobil that had pay at the pump for this very reason and haven't been able to use eftpos at the pump. It says fuelcard and something else only? I have def used eftpos at the pump before.
We always take our money out in cash and at our local station they still come out and serve you. It ticks me off that these days most petrol stations are self service (in AKL anyway). Whatever happened to helpful customer service. They charge enough for the petrol so why not get a couple of people out there pumping the gas. I usually dash down to the dairy or petrol station when DH gets home from work if I need to use eftpos. I'm just more comfortable doing it that way. I can't believe the way some of these busybodies over react to things though, and why do they always seem to be at their worst in carparks. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Lexidore
Date Posted: 12 May 2009 at 2:28pm
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Mobil pay at pump, i used to work at a place where we talk calls advising these were out of order, basically theres a waiting list to get them fixed so you will find alot of sites dont have any working ones on site, i havent been aware though that you can no longer use eftpos on them so i presume its just faulty if its showing that. ------------- 
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 15 May 2009 at 9:22pm
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Interesting topic.
The only time I EVER leave Caden in the car is when I go to the petrol station, its just a little caltex and I can see my car the entire time, and I lock the doors ALWAYS. I never ever leave him in the car to go into the supermarket or anything like that, he comes with me. ------------- |
Posted By: blondy
Date Posted: 15 May 2009 at 9:41pm
Most of the time I get petrol, it works out that DD is asleep in the car, and there's no way I'm waking her! DH leaves early in the morning, and gets home late at night so other than making special nighttime trips to get petrol, there really isn't a chance to have someone else in the car. I lock the car, and make sure I can see her at all times, but I figure it would take far longer to get her in and out of the car than to just pop in to pay. I wouldn't leave her to go into the supermarket or where I couldn't see her though. I feel comfortable leaving her there (usually it's at our local petrol station where I recognise the attendants and vice versa)...even though it is in dodgy west auckland lol   -------------  
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Posted By: Kels
Date Posted: 16 May 2009 at 9:01am
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I leave my boy locked in the car where I can see him, Most of the time I have my older kids in the car and Im never worried they will get stolen.....the fighting will keep everyone away im sure lol |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 16 May 2009 at 7:45pm
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He he, if I tried to take the gremlins in they'd probably get run over on the forecourt or pinch Kinder Surprise at the counter ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 16 May 2009 at 9:32pm
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I hadn't thought about this yet. I guess because at this stage i don't even take my bag in, will quite often leave my phone bag everything in the car with the windows wound down during summer hehe yeah i know real security conscious. What I probably will do as I have an alarm that immobilises itself after 45seconds is alarm the car silently especially if bubs is sleeping as i don't want the beep to wake baby up. DP wants to tint my car as well as I have the sedan and he has the 3door hatch (so glad it wasn't the other way round). If it was his car well he would probably leave baby in the car, but then bubs would have to be in the back and how much time would that take to get baby outta the back of a hatchback for a five second trip to the counter. I'm already in the habit of not stopping when its busy as I'm too impatient anyways, and not stopping when its rush hour traffic as i cant be naffed trying to get back into the traffic flow afterwards ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 16 May 2009 at 11:35pm
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Petrol station I usually go to the same one anyway , which is the kind where you pay at the pump .
Dairy , sometimes C will stay in the car , because she wants to listen to music, I lock her in . Often she'll come in anyway ,because she thinks I will buy her something . Supermarket, no, its too big, the queues could be very long, I feel further away from her and its harder to see her . ------------- 
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 17 May 2009 at 8:19am
| depends on the ages of the kids. My kids I would leave while I fill up = in saying that, i usually try and fill up before I pick them up, or at a pay-at-the-pump place. supermarket - never. |