Summer is a time filled with outdoor activities: barbecues, camping trips, swimming, biking, and, unfortunately, the occasional instance of leaving a child in a hot vehicle.
As a mother of four, I consider myself quite responsible. Sure, I make some questionable parenting choices now and then—like serving chicken nuggets and counting ketchup as a vegetable, or allowing my kids to indulge in a bit too much screen time. However, I never thought I would be labeled as a negligent parent, even on my most self-critical days.
A couple of summers ago, I would have scoffed at the thought that I could ever forget my child in the car. I mean, if someone is that oblivious, they probably shouldn’t be parents, right? In June of that year, an oppressive heat settled over the Midwest, making it feel as though we were wearing a heavy, uncomfortable sweater. My mother had recently moved closer to us, and I was thrilled to have her around. To celebrate her arrival, we decided to have a barbecue. My partner was busy grilling while the kids played in the yard. As the aroma of charcoal wafted through the air, I suddenly craved some fresh corn to complete our meal.
“I’m heading to the store with Mom,” I announced. “We’ll be quick.”
“Could you take the baby?” my partner suggested. “I might struggle to keep an eye on all of them while I’m cooking.”
I secured my calm and cheerful 1-year-old in his rear-facing car seat, and we set off. The grocery store was nearby, and as we drove, my mother and I chatted and laughed, buoyed by the upbeat music on the radio and the anticipation of our delicious meal. We arrived at the store, still in high spirits. I checked the time on my phone, while Mom searched her bag for lip balm. I pressed the “lock” button on the key fob, and we headed straight to the produce section.
To my dismay, the corn selection was almost nonexistent, with only a few sad-looking ears available. “This is Iowa,” I complained. “How can there be no corn?”
Disappointed, we decided to try another store. We exited, unlocked the car, got in, and I began to drive, the radio playing, the air conditioning blasting, and our next destination in mind.
Then, I heard my mother gasp. That sound jolted me like a bolt of lightning, as I suddenly realized what she had just comprehended: we had forgotten the baby in the car.
It was difficult to confront those words. Even now, years later, reliving that moment brings a tightness to my chest. It’s hard to admit to anyone that I made such a grave parenting error, especially regarding my child’s safety, but I did. Both my mother and I were distracted by our conversation and the unusual situation of having just one child with us. I was unaccustomed to this scenario; usually, it was all or nothing. The baby was silent the entire time, offering no reminder of his presence. As a result, we left him in the car, where the temperature was soaring, with the windows rolled up. It was at least 90 degrees outside.
Fortunately, we were only in and out of the store for a couple of minutes, just long enough to check the empty corn bin. But what if we had decided to purchase ice cream, watermelon, or other items? What if we had encountered a long line at checkout?
A car can heat up to a staggering 125 degrees in mere minutes, even with a cracked window. Children’s body temperatures rise three to five times faster than adults. In the United States, nearly 40 children die each year from being left in hot cars, and my baby could have easily become part of that tragic statistic. The thought sickens me.
I share this story not as a confession of my shortcomings as a parent, but as a reminder that even responsible parents can make mistakes. It serves as a warning: this can happen to anyone, even those who believe it would be impossible. If there is one takeaway from this experience, it is this: never say, “I would never.” You don’t have to be negligent or impaired to make such a mistake. Simply being human is enough.
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In summary, it’s crucial to recognize that even the most vigilant parents can become distracted and make mistakes. Awareness and vigilance can help prevent potentially tragic situations.
Keyphrase: Forgetting a child in a car
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