There should be a third option:
Leave baby strapped in the car, leave car door open, and run back inside to get the forgotten something.

Ok I must come forward. When Caleb was I don't know 2 or 3 months we were out shopping. He was doing well and as we pulled into the old navy parking lot he was sound asleep. I knew all I had to do was run in and buy onesies and run out. So I covered his car seat with a blanket so no one would see him and quick ran into old navy. I got back out and he'd waken up. I told Bob when I got home and he said that was basically against the law what I did. Now looking back, I don't think I'd do it again, but I've left things in the house before and run in to get them with him in the car. Anyway, you can scold me now. :)

Oh michelle! I won't scold you, but I don't think I could ever do that. I've been tempted (like at the post office) but I just couldn't do it.

Our church office is about fifteen feet from the street curb and many moms have stopped in while leaving their kids in the car. Once a police car was nearby and one mom nearly got in huge trouble; I think she may have been ticketed. I assume the laws are different, though, if your car is still in your own driveway or garage.

If the car is IN your driveway all should be well. Leave the baby strapped and run quickly inside-- no big deal. I would never leave Jade in the car if the car was out on the curb.... too paranoid probably... Only in my own garage or driveway.

Well, according to children's books - as long as you have Carl the rottweiler, anything's plausible.

Seriously though, against the law??? If leaving you kid in the car while you go back inside is against the law then I might be breaking about 20 different laws a week that I'm not aware of. Do they have a civic class I could take? Can you let your kids play in the yard alone? What about when they're older? At what age is it alright to not have them in your site at all times?

I'd trust my 1yr. old in the car alone more then I would them when they were 15 years old.

Okay, so what if you have three under the age of two? Often I just don't leave the house, because it is just too hard. When I do leave, I have NO choice but to leave SOMEONE strapped in their carseats while I run back in for the other kids. Sigh. So, can I get a ticket for that? If I stop for gas, do I bring all of them in the station with me? What if (Lord, forbid) I have to desperately use the bathroom? I guess that means I'm a law breaker! I'd like to see a cop try and ticket me.

I'm the type that locks the doors and goes back into the house. I doubt that if you are at your own property and you leave the little one(s) in the car you are breaking the law.

Someone definitely needs to do research on this law-breaking issue! (I'm not volunteering.) ; )

I've done the post office thing. But then, I live in a sleepy little town of about 650 that doesn't even have a traffic light. I never would have done it in New Orleans, not even in my driveway. If you're worried, I'd suggest hauling the carrier back inside with you to get your other stuff. If you can't carry it all at once, leave the baby inside the house while you load the car. He's safer there and the worst thing someone might witness would be a dog licking him in the face.

The polling on this issue has closed. Thanks for your input!
The question: If you are at home, putting your infant in the car and you realize you forgot something inside the house, what do you do?
Results: Unstrap the baby from the car, take the baby inside, and get the forgotten something. 26 %
(10 votes)
Leave baby strapped in the car, lock the doors, and run back inside to get the forgotten something. 52 %
(20 votes)
Leave baby strapped in the car, leave car door open, and run back inside to get the forgotten something. 21 %
(8 votes)
Total votes
38