Do you think it's ok to leave your kids in the car when you go into a gas station to pay or grab a drink?

This question depends on how long you are going to be inside the store, how old the children are, what kind of a neighborhood it is, and how large the gas station is. I have known couples to leave their children in the car with the doors locked and windows up at a smaller, large windowed gas station in a semi-alright neighborhood and be fine with it morally and emotionally. However, I have known some people to leave their children in the car windows down and doors unlocked in a semi-bad neighborhood and the car and children where taken. This all depends on the full extent of the situation. Me personally I would only leave them in the car if I knew the neighborhood, could see the car no matter where I was in the store, locked the doors and put all windows up, the children where of an older age where they somewhat knew better than to try to get out or let strangers in, also the car would be moved up to the store instead of leaving it at the pump, and only if I was only in for a few minutes to get drinks and pay for the gas. This all depends on you and how you feel of your decision.

If I am JUST going in to pay, and there is NO line and I can see the car clearly from where I am, then I will leave my son in the car. If I am grabbing a drink or there is a line, I will take him in with me, even though it is a pain to take him out/put him back into his car seat. it is better then risking something happening to him.

When I lived in a big city, I would never, never under any circumstances do that! Now that I live in a tiny town on an island with no crime, I sometimes let them wait in the car while I run in and get them a soda. This is only when I'm in the front parking spot. I lock the doors and crack the windows.

It all depends on the kids age. if you want to leave a 2-9 year old alone then HELL TO THE NO. But if the child is 10+ then it should be fine as long as the child knows what to do during emergencies and is in their right mind

depends on the age.. under 5 NO... and even if over the age of 5 you are putting them in danger.. but if you do, make sure it is in a place you always do business and know you well.. no key left in car and windows down.. even if hot... NEVER leave the car running or keys in it.. a 2 min inside trip will not cause heat stroke or such but remember 2 minutes is just enough time for a child to come up missing........ and if you do leave them in car at any time, make sure you are parked where car and children can ALWAYS be seen BY YOU !!!!!! God bless

Do you watch the news or read the newspapers? Are you not aware of the kind of world we live in, kids get taken from there own yard. Sorry to be so blunt but WAKE UP! There's way to many fu*ked up people in this world and turning your back or walking away even for a secound could be life changing, i know first hand how inconvient it is to deal with unstrapping them from the carseats and carring them in and if they talk then you have to deal with them asking for everything but wouldn't you rather deal with that then dealing with something tragic because it was just to damn hard for you to get them out of the car.

That's a big NO. Here in Arkansas I see people leave their kids in the car, with it running, and go inside the store to pay for their gas. I am always shocked to see such carelessness.

First how old is ur child

still no matter how old the world these days u cant trust anyone now

if anything ever does happen to ur child ull look back and see how simple it would have been to jsut take the Child with u instead of bein lazy

circumstances age of child, if your running late gotta to be in a million different places call at once like 99% of parents its hard personally no i dont think its right but at the same time i dont have a car, there are risks to everything we do its about our own choices and responsibilities if i did the car would be securely locked but personally no i couldnt not a young child anyway

Depends on how long you are going to be gone for and if you can keep eye contact on them. If you gone for more than a minute and you can't keep constant eye contact, then take them with you. Otherwise, it's fine to leave them in the car with the window slightly open.

In this day and age? No way! I'm not too sure where you live, but in my town...when you're pumping gas, you lock your car and take your keys with you. You defintiely take your children with you! There are so many perverts out there who are just waiting for you to leave your child's side so that he/she may take him.