It would really be nice if people would learn to just mind there own business. I was picking my son up from school the other day. Bella and I pulled into the parking lot earlier than normal and got the spot right outside the door of my son’s class. Bella begged me to stay in the car because she wanted to listen to the Alvin and the Chipmunks CD I bought them and she hates the bitter wind. Since I was literally feet away from my sons door and could see every aspect of my car at all times and was able to lock the doors and use remote start to let her listen to her CD, I told her she could stay so long as she stayed completely buckled in her carseat.
As my son and I are walking back to the car, I noticed a woman in her 60’s hanging out next to my car. At first I thought she was just standing there so her grandchild could see her. Boy was I wrong. As soon as I unlocked my car, the woman pounced. Telling me she couldn’t believe I left her in the car that long; spewing threats like “if Child Services were involved, you would care”; and accusing me of leaving a child in the car WITH the keys for 15 minutes.
Now…I live in an area where we get LOTS of snow, the wind is bitter cold. No one in their right mind stands outside for 15 minutes waiting for their child. Furthermore, if you remember, I left Bella in the car with the REMOTE start and my remote start only keeps the car running for 10 minutes. The car was STILL running when I got back. Therefore, Bella was not left in the car for 15 minutes or more, she was not left in the car with the car keys, and the car was not unlocked at all. Miraculously I was able to stay calm and basically told the woman to back off.
I mean seriously…I was no farther away from my car than I would be if I was dropping movies off in the drop box. I have never seen someone take their kids out of the carseats to drop off movies. If I was out of site of my car, Bella would have come with me. If I had to go into the school, Bella would have come. People just need to learn to mind their own business. I understand that she didn’t agree with me leaving her there, that’s fine. I don’t agree with what everything everyone does with their kids either, but to threaten child services, ridiculous. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a very good and conscientious mother to my children. But to have someone say that to me, in front of others really is bothersome. Makes you feel like a poor mom. But luckily the other moms who heard what was going on came to bat for me and while I probably won’t leave Bella in there again since I don’t want the parking lot Nazi harassing me daily, I still don’t think what I did was wrong.
This is sticky. As a child care provider, I can not leave any children, including my own, in a car at at moment alone, not even to run back into the house to grab a backpack, with car in driveway…or I lose my license. The reason being is danger/supervision, I was given the example once that cars can start on fire, spontaneously. Likelyhood? Nil. In addition, in my town, if a child is left unattended, police and child services is called, every time.
I completely understand what you are saying. I never even thought of the potential of the car starting on fire spontaneously.
Honestly I applaud you for holding your composure. I think if someone confronted me about how I raise my children I don't know how I'd handle it.
Your use of the word Nazi is horridly offensive. You should be ashamed of yourself.
I honestly think if my son was already in the car, I would have had a few choice words for the woman. But, he wasn't so…
thats a sticky situation…hmmmm