Hot Cars

The other day the husband posted this on social media... Every year you hear about the tragic death(s) of a child or multiple children left in hot cars because their parents forgot about them.

I understand being so exhausted that you don't even know if you put on clothes or are still in your pajamas and I even understand the child falling asleep in the backseat during the drive, what I cannot comprehend is the forgetting the child.

Do you not check the rear view mirror at all and see the baby in the car seat (and yes, I know rear-facing car seats make it more difficult to see the child) but seeing the car seat might jog the memory - or do you not look into your car and make sure all the windows are up and your car is locked (maybe I am the only one that does that while saying aloud "Car is locked" so I remember.)

What get's me even more are these parents who leave their children in a locked car in the middle of summer, but leave the air conditioning on while they go into a bar or night club or whatever the place is to have fun while their child is alone at night in the parking lot... and they think it is OKAY for this to happen just because they left the car running.

This is a problem.

Many, many years ago, I went to the mall and when I was putting the items in my trunk I just happened to look into the car parked next to me... there was a baby in the car.  Thank goodness it wasn't a hot summer day, which only makes the situation a little better... I ran back into the store and got the manager to call the police.

I understand that taking a baby ANYWHERE is a lot of work, the baby bag, the stroller or just carrying that heavy car seat carrier around, the trying to change a diaper in a public restroom or feeding the baby... You want to go out and have fun - you don't leave your baby anywhere by itself.

I don't know what the solution should be... maybe OBGYNs making parents go to some kind of class for parenting - how to change a diaper, how not to leave your kid in a sweltering hot car.  Eh, the people that need that class probably wouldn't go anyway... Write a damn note and tape it to your keys that says 'kid in back' or something if you are too tired...

People are selfish, having a child means putting that child before you...  If you can't put another's life and needs before yours, then maybe you shouldn't be a parent.