Bubbas and petrol stations WDYD

[Livinthedream]

I try and do it while DS is asleep. I just lock the car and go in.
If it looks really busy, or is one of those 30 bowser truck stop type ones I take him in with me.

[~Hestia~]

I don't often have to fuel up but on the odd occasion I have to, I leave Moo in the car. I never would've done it while he had separation issues I lock the car & leave the windows up. If it was busy I'd probably take him in with me, same goes if it was hot.

For some reason this is the only time I ever feel comfortable doing this. I take him with me everywhere else, even just to get a takeaway latte.

[Glamourcide]

Each to their own. We don't really have any big petrol stations here, most are small so whichever bowser I park at, I can see the car from the counter inside and if the kids are quiet/asleep, I happily lock the car and leave them in there. If there's a big line-up on a hot day, or they're fussing, I'll take them in (can't leave the a/c on if the keys are taken out), but most of the time it's not busy so I just whip in quickly and pay while keeping one eye on the car to make sure they're okay. I've done this with them since they were newborns, I find it a hell of a lot faster to just lock the car and go in to pay by myself, than to unload one or both squirming kids and try to get them safely into the building You'll know what feels right - some days I leave them, other days I take them in, just go by what feels 'okay' for you. FWIW I've never had anybody even second-glance me when I've left the kids in the car, I'm sure most people understand why I do it even if they choose not to themselves

[buliej]

I've also avoided getting petrol when with DS - but on the occasions I've had to, I leave him in the car while I pay - it has never taken more than 2 minutes to pay and it completely stresses me out - but I can see the car from the counter. That being said, I was talking about this with another new mother and she told me that someone told her it was illegal to leave your child unattended in a car at a petrol station. Sounds really weird to me, as technically isn't it illegal to leave your child in a car unattended full stop (not that the legality of it all is why we don't!).

[Sopdet]

as technically isn't it illegal to leave your child in a car unattended full stop

Yes it is illegal, by the letter of the law. It differs in each state. This is just an example of NSW legislation. In most States if you move more than 3m away from the vehicle it is classified as unattended.

NSW
The Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 2000. Section 231 of the Act reads:
A person who leaves any child or young person in the person’s care in a motor vehicle without proper supervision for such period or in such circumstances that:
(a) the child or young person becomes or is likely to become emotionally distressed, or
(b) the child’s or young person’s health becomes or is likely to become permanently or temporarily impaired, is guilty of an offence.

The maximum penalty is $22,000.

[[M]umma[M]ia]

I only go to petrol stations where they put mine in for me and take my money. So I just need to make sure I have cash, which isnt hard. That way, i dont even need to get out of the car, let alone walk away from it.

[misty]

I try not to fuel up with kids in the car if I can help it. But otherwise I unwind the windows a crack and lock the car when I go and pay. I know some people feel you should never leave a kid unattended in the car (I used to be one of them) but there is no way I can get all three out just to pay - even if by some miracle they were all being angels and were willing to do as they were told and get back in afterwards. Truth is that it is much more dangerous for me to be getting them out of the car and dragging them into the shop area. I do try to go to fuel stations that aren't very busy too, makes it much easier and quicker.

[RainbowBrite]

Truth is that it is much more dangerous for me to be getting them out of the car and dragging them into the shop area.

I agree.
It is not very often I don not have my little ones with me and with a 17mths old, 2.5yr old and a 3.5yr old it would be much more dangerous to get them out then leave them in the car.
I always use the closest bowser to the doors and they are never distressed or upset when I go.
If only have one then I tend to take them in (very rare occurrence)

[RainbowBrite]

For me I see chances of my kids getting hit by another car is greater than somebody stealing your locked car without keys. (not questioning your choice family of 3 just offering a different view point )