Ah, summer—the time for barbecues, camping trips, swimming, and biking. But it can also be a season where parents make horrifying mistakes, such as leaving their children in hot cars.
As a mother of four, I pride myself on being responsible. Sure, I might occasionally serve my kids chicken nuggets and pretend ketchup counts as a vegetable, or allow them a bit too much screen time, but no one, not even I, would label me a negligent parent.
Yet, a couple of summers ago, I would have scoffed at the idea that I could ever forget a child in the car. Honestly, if you’re that careless, you probably shouldn’t have kids, right?
That June was sweltering, with humidity weighing heavily on the Midwest like an unwelcome blanket. My mother had just relocated to our area, and it was delightful to have her nearby after years of long-distance visits. To celebrate her arrival, we planned a barbecue. My husband was grilling while the kids played in the yard. Just as the aroma of charcoal filled the air, I felt a sudden craving for sweet corn.
“I’ll run to the store with Mom,” I said. “We’ll be back quickly.”
“Take the baby with you,” my husband suggested, unsure if he could watch all the kids while grilling. I secured my calm 1-year-old in his rear-facing car seat, and we set off. The grocery store was close, and Mom and I chatted and laughed, buoyed by the music blasting from the radio and our anticipation of the meal.
Upon arriving, I glanced at my phone to check the time while Mom rummaged through her purse. I clicked the “lock” button on the key fob, and we headed straight for the produce section. To our dismay, the corn selection was nearly depleted.
“This is Iowa,” I complained. “How can there be no corn in stock?” We decided to check another store.
We exited, unlocked the car, and got back in. As I drove away, my mother suddenly gasped. That sharp intake of breath jolted me into the horrifying realization that we had left the baby in the car. Both of us.
It took a considerable amount of time for me to muster the courage to write about that dreadful moment. Even now, I feel a tightening in my chest as I replay it in my mind. Admitting to such a significant parenting error, especially regarding my child’s safety, is incredibly difficult. But it happened—easily.
We were absorbed in conversation, and I was unaccustomed to having just one child with me; typically, it was all or none. The baby sat quietly in the back seat, completely silent, which contributed to our oversight. We had left him in the car, windows rolled up, as temperatures soared over 90 degrees outside.
Miraculously, we were only gone for a couple of minutes—just long enough to check the corn bin before leaving. But what if we had decided to buy ice cream, or something else? A car can heat up to a staggering 125 degrees in mere minutes, and a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s. In the U.S., nearly 40 children die each year from being left in hot cars, and my baby could have easily become another tragic statistic. The thought sickens me—me, the person who loves him most.
I share this story not to confess my faults but to highlight that even responsible parents can make mistakes. Anyone can experience such an oversight, even the most vigilant caregivers. Trust me, I once thought it was unimaginable until it happened. The lesson learned? Never declare, “I would never.” You don’t need to be negligent or reckless; sometimes, being human is enough.
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Summary:
In this reflective piece, the author shares a personal experience of forgetting her baby in the car during a summer shopping trip. Despite being a responsible parent, she emphasizes how easy it is for anyone to make such a critical mistake when distracted. This cautionary tale serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in parenting.