Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Does it make me a bad mom?

Tonight....I got "the look"...you know the one...the look where other parents look at you like, "I would NEVER do that". I wanted to just yell, "Never say never!!!" and stick my tongue out at them:). That would be the mature way to handle it, right?

OK, here's the scenario...and I want your honest opinions on this. So, Tim had to work late tonight, and we got home later than usual. I was bound and determined to work out, so I did. Then I remembered that we had to pick up Emmas $850 (UGH!) medicine before 6:00. So, I got both kids in the car and I decided that I really wanted Subway for dinner. So, I drove to Subway and I parked right outside the window. I could clearly see my children (who were safely buckled in...and have not figured out how to get out), and I ran into Subway to order my sandwich. There was only one person in front of me. As it became my turn I looked out the window to see a car park next to mine. A couple gets out of the car, and they get their child (single child with 2 parents) out of the car. Then, they both look into my car to see my children and the mom shakes her head. They came into Subway and gave me "the look". Then, I noticed that the lady was pregnant. As I walked past the couple on my way out I just smiled at both of them and thought.....You just wait!

What do you think??? Bad mom??? It's OK tell me the truth...I have thick skin (wink wink).

8 comments:

Jenn said...

Will people judge you for it? Yes. Especially people who aren't parents themselves:).
But I think we all end up doing that at some point in our lives. and I don't think you are a bad mom (assuming it was not 85 degrees or more outside).

Myssie@PendletonMarket said...

I've done it. I don't think you are a bad mom! ;-)

Tarah Peacock said...

I don't think you are a bad Mom, you ran in real quick and you could see your kids. I don't think you did anything wrong.

Love the Halloween pictures by the way!

Terri H-E said...

It certainly does not make you a bad mom - to me it shows a mom who can think critically, weigh risks, make decisions for her kids w/o doing everything "by the book."

That said. I would not do it. In my small suburb, police are called the moment a parent walks into a building having left their children in the car, whether that building is 3 feet away and made of glass is not of consequence. Not so much about judgement here, but about the shame of having a squad car next to yours with your kids in it!

Michelle said...

I have done the same thing as long as I feel confident that I can keep my eye on them. Not a bad Mom. (I will say it does make me nervous how quickly people will call the cops though.)

Christine said...

You are not a bad mom. I've done it myself too. The problem is that there have been cases where people have done stupid, clearly irresponsible things and because of that the rest of us are looped into the same circle. Those people assumed irresponsibility on your part and that's just wrong. Like parenting, we all have a different way of doing it, some more like others, but in the end who's to say that their parenting style is better than yours.... Like you say... Just wait.... things may change when she's in that position too

rhonda said...

I've done it once (when I could see them in the car). No, it wasn't 80 above or 20 below. It was for about 30-60 seconds. Something I said I'd never do, but I had two sleeping (previously cranky) kids.

Now, if you let your kids roam seatbelt free in the car I'd open up all over you and let you know! THAT is my pet peeve!

Lin said...

Bad Mom, not so much. Tired and hungry Mom definitely. But in that state where I live, you can be charged with child endangerment for leaving a child alone in a car, even for a short errand.

Also, there was a case here last week where a Mom left her sleeping toddler in her running, unlocked car while she got out to use a pay phone. Someone jumped in and drove off with the baby in the backseat. There was a happy ending, the car with the baby still asleep was found parked a mile away 20 minutes later. But is your kids' life and safety worth your convenience?

I only have one child, but even at nine he does not stay alone in the car while I go into a store.