Mom Confessions: My Kids Sleep Alone in the Car

on October 16, 2009 at 11:30 AM

house It's time for a Mom Confession -- because, let's face it, we're real mothers and sometimes it doesn't work the way the parenting books say it should.

This Week's Confession:

In comfortable weather, during the day, I let my kids nap in the car in the driveway if they fall asleep on the way home from somewhere. We live in a two-stoplight town with very low crime rates. I park the car in the driveway where I can see it from the house and lock the doors. I go out every five minutes or so to peek in at them and check the temperature inside the van to make sure it's not too warm or too cool for them. But some people (my mom) still think it's terrible that I do this. I check on them so much and they're all locked up that they're probably safer in there than in their bedrooms! -- anonymous

We all have secrets -- so thanks to this brave mom for sharing her honest thoughts, and thank you for keeping this conversation non-judgmental!

Do you have a Mom Confession you want to share? PM me. We can share your confession with your CafeMom screenname or anonymously.

Past Confessions:

I'm Afraid My Husband is Going to Die

I Don't Like Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

I Have a Family, But I'm Lonely

I Lie and Say I'm "Working" to Avoid Playing

I Let My Son Fall Asleep to DVDs

I Don't Shield My Kids' Eyes from Nudity

I Use Housecleaning to Avoid Playing With My Kids

I Am Not a Fun Mom

I Don't Set Up Play Dates for My Kids

I Wish I Had a Fulfilling Career Outside the Home

I Use My Kid's Flushable Toilet Wipes

I'm Going to Disney Without My Children

I Bribe My Children

I Hate Reading Children's Books

I Sleep Naked With My Toddler

I Hate My Neighbor's Kid

I Don't Like to Play

I Sleep While My Kid Is Up

My Kid Watches TV Up Close

I Let My Toddler Play Outside Alone

I Turn My Kids Over to A Mom I Just Met

My Toddler Wears Crude T-Shirts

I Let My Toddlers Climb Play Equipment Unassisted

My Kids Go to Sleep After Midnight

I Let My Toddlers Go Naked in Public

I Throw Away My Kid's Artwork

I Paid $22 for My Son's Haircut

My Toddlers Eat Pizza for Breakfast

I'm Dying My Toddler's Hair

I Leave My Toddler Alone in the Bath

Our Children Aren't Invited to Our Wedding

I Scold Other People's Kids

I'm on Vacation, But My Kid Is Still Going to Day Care

I Favor My Older Child

I Let My Toddler Eat Food Before Paying for It

I Find Excuses to Send My Kids to Bed Early

Filed Under: confessions

Comments (59)

KatieP.

on Oct 16, 2009 at 12:09 PM

where I live I would never ever in a million years even dream of this. HOWEVER, were I grew up? Completetly different story. My parents don't even own a key to the house they own. And my cousins let their kids sleep in the car with the windows down if they fall asleep. The closest neighbor is over a mile away and well I'm sure some people wouldn't understand but there is no crime except drinking and driving.

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nmmama09

on Oct 16, 2009 at 12:19 PM

I'm with KatieP. Where I live now, never. I would not let my kids sleep in the car. But at my mom's we park right outside the front door, so if the kids are sleeping, it's not a big deal to roll the windows down and leave the front door of the house open. All our neighbors are family and the older kids are usually outside playing. I don't do it often. But it does happen around my hometown.

Merediths_Mommy

on Oct 16, 2009 at 1:05 PM

i let my kids sleep in the car but I always sit in the car with them... never in my life would I leave the kids in the car sleeping without supervision.... i live out on a main road and our area is very safe but I wouldnt ever risk it

glittersteph

on Oct 16, 2009 at 1:13 PM

There are nut jobs all over the world. In every small town, in every big city. If you want to take the risk with your own child, so be it. I personally would never do.

RanaAurora

on Oct 16, 2009 at 1:19 PM

If I had a garage that opened directly into my house, I'd let them sleep in the car with thedoors open both on the car and into the garage, but the garage door itself closed.

I don't have a garage, though, but the few times when I DID let my son nap in the car, I chose to weed my flowerbeds while he slept... right next to the driveway.

I would NEVER leave my children in a CLOSED car to nap outside by themselves.

Bridgmama

on Oct 16, 2009 at 1:39 PM

I leave my daughter to sleep in the car but I'm either cutting the lawn or sitting outside reading a book. I'm just too afraid of crazies nowadays. I don't lock the doors but I do leave the air on so she doesn't get warm. Sometimes it's the only way I get my lawn cut.

izzyandbuggsmom

on Oct 16, 2009 at 1:41 PM

I did not vote only because i did not see a HELL NO. That is crazy.

heather.darin

on Oct 16, 2009 at 2:03 PM

I would if it were nice out and could leave the windows down and park the car in my garage(it opens to my house)with the garage door shut but that is it!! Other than that I sit in the car with her and read while she naps if i don't wanna wake her

nily

on Oct 16, 2009 at 2:50 PM

That's neglecting your child TONS of things can happend to him. To me this is a very irresponsable thing to do with your kids. IT'S WRONG!

ColtsFan1912

on Oct 16, 2009 at 5:14 PM

crime can happen ANYWHERE. I grew up in a small Amish town & it seemed safe but we had a girl murdered there when i was in junior high. ..they found her body at a local park. . .off topic a bit I'm sure but just goes to show. ..any place can have crime. no way wouid i risk it