Thursday

McDonald's Parking Lot in Port Chester, NY

Received Thursday, December 20, 2007
I almost ran over your little boy today in the parking lot of McDonalds. When I missed the child, a larger, landscaping truck almost splattered him. Your nanny with a Spanish sounding accent was loading food into the car with an approximately 1 yr old girl and left the child, approximately 2-3 years of age unsupervised. The car was a Honda civic and the plate number was NY DTL 3499. The babysitter was not able to manage both children in the parking lot, which given the relative calm of the parking lot-is somewhat of a warning sign. Babysitter seemed overwhelmed and exasperated. Please note, your child was very close to being seriously RUN OVER. Please confirm you have received this message as I was very concerned with what I witnessed.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is serious when things like this occur, but I would hate to see someone lose their job because of it. Sometimes children do slip away, even if you get them inside the car, they will get out as you are loading in other things. I am glad that the child was not hurt, but sometimes we need to view things from other's perspectives. The nanny may be overwhelmed and exaperated because the child is very prone to running and escaping.

Anonymous said...

Uh ... splattered? That's quite a descriptive word.
Anyway, there is no excuse for this Nannys negligence, because that's exactly what it was. Whether she was 'exasperated' or not, the little boy should've been placed into the car first as he is much more mobile. The Nanny could've put her precious bags down next to the car and held the little girl on her hip and then fastened them both in. We've all done it hundreds of times ... pathetic.

Anonymous said...

Very scary, kids should have been in the car seats first. If you notify the police of the license plate, they could notify the owner of the car. Who knows of the parents will see this post? Good job getting the details!!

Anonymous said...

Awesome post OP, thanks for getting the licence #.

As for the children, they don't have to both be in their carseats, but I always heave all of my children in the car. I have three. I would rather have them stepping over each other and whining in the car then disappearing underneath someone else's car!

Anonymous said...

We had a rule when the kids were little and there were multiple kids to get into and out of the car. Everybody had to stand with BOTH palms touching the car until they wre given the OK to take our hands and walk through the parking lot. Same rule as we were loading back up. Obviously the most mobile child was loaded first and the stroller bound child dealt with last. It can be done safely...and it is imperative that it is...every single time.

Anonymous said...

what are your kids convicts? Preparing them for the future I see?

Anonymous said...

mom, this is a great idea. I can't believe this woman would not get the children in the car first.
If these were my kids I would most definitely want to know. Thanks OP

Anonymous said...

I do the same as 'mom'. My charges are required to stand by the back door and hold on with BOTH hands until I say it is safe to let go and hold my hand. It works really well and I've used it with children up to the age of 7.

Anonymous said...

My rule is similar to Mom's except they must hold onto my coat/shirt or whatever I'm wearing at all times, while loading each one in the car.

Anonymous said...

Yes 2:10, I prepared my kids for the future...one where they are alive to enjoy it.

Anonymous said...

I don't get the whole convict comment or where it's relative here (great comeback BTW), but Mom ... I forgot to even mention that I do the same as 9:25, where my son holds onto my shirt/coat if my hands are full, or my hand itself if they aren't. Your is a great idea I hadn't thought of.

Anonymous said...

Marypoppin'pills,
I also did the holding onto my shirt thing a lot. It was my husband who came up with the hands on the car idea for loading kids in the parking lot. (I hafta say that I was pretty impressed.)It sure was a lot easier to lean way into the car and hoist little ones without smacking the others in the head with dangling feet that way. I guess I was sort of lucky that my kids always saw such things as games and LOVED to "do their best" at them. Although I kept a good eye on them anyway, I never really had to worry that one would take off. I know that not every child is the same though.

Kate K. said...

GOOD JOB, OP!!!!

As a child care provider...I ALWAYS put the children in the car FIRST!

Anonymous said...

I appreciate all the great advice about this post, as it will only help me to figure out what to do in a similar situation. I have been thinking of all these crazy scenarios and contemplating what in the world would I do if this and that happens, especially with another one baby due in June. It's gonna be tough, but thank goodness my little guy is horrified at passing cars. He understands that he can get hurt/an ouchie if a car bumps him. I usually have him stand with his back to the car so he can look to see the cars coming and going.

Thanks you guys, for all the great responses! I hope that caregiver and other moms like myself see this post. Sometimes, not everything is common sense, especially when you're worn out or are stressed by personal issue.

Anonymous said...

Thats what I love about this blog, Pasedena mom ... although you get the occasional wayward poster who jumps all over people for 'getting off the subject', I must admit even I have learned alot of new things here. Some of the women (and I'm sure a few men), are very bright and I love some of their ideas.
You can never learn too much!

Anonymous said...

Was it a good idea to post the whole liscence plate number for the world to see? I would of left some blank.

Anonymous said...

anyone can see anyone's plate-
they are er uhhh fully exposed.
It's not like a social security #

Anonymous said...

11:31
lol. True.

Anonymous said...

I am a childcare provider and a foster mom. One day I ran an errand while my substitute watched the children. My foster children had been taken by the social worker to visit their birthmother. I was returning home when I saw her car in my drive (double parking places). I was beginning to pull in beside her car when I saw the 1-year-old child running across the middle of the 2nd parking place towards the street. The social worker was on the OTHER SIDE of the car letting the 3 year old out! I just about hit the baby! I was SO angry because she should know better and let the 3 year old out first as she wouldn’t be as likely to run away into traffic or into the other parking place. It is crazy how common sense just isn’t! (She blew off my concerns and I called her supervisor that day. She got a firm talking to about toddler safety!)