Our au pair just came home in tears. It seems that she was out with the boys and wanted to take them to the playground, but didn't have any water or milk and she knew they'd be thirsty (they often have snacks after the playground).
So she stopped off at 7-11 to grab a bottle of water and a bottle of milk. When she parked, right outside the door, she realized the boys were asleep.
So she got out, locked the car door, walked the 20 feet to the 7-11 (with its huge windows so she could see there was no line) and went to buy the water/milk. It was, btw, 60 degrees outside and she parked in the shade. She could see the car while inside.
When she came out (total time inside was under 3 minutes), a woman she'd never seen before started yelling at her for leaving the boys in the car unattended and threatened to call the police, called her negligent, trying to harm the boys, etc.
Our au pair is from Brazil and leaving kids in the car is quite normal there. She was really shaken up by the experience - she didn't know what to say and felt quite attacked (especially not being the mom and not being a citizen), so she didn't defend herself - instead she quickly got in the car and drove away. She said she couldn't stop crying for a good 30 minutes and had to come home early because she was so upset.
My husband and I are appalled that a complete stranger would just attack her like that - if this woman had been really concerned, she could have approached her differently and expressed her worries - but instead, she attacked her and made all sorts of accusations.
Our au pair, btw, is an exceptionally responsible girl. She is 24, very honest, very good judgment, and is someone who I completely trust with the boys.
I am just so angry that this happened. It just strikes me as complete overkill to get so worked up over a stranger briefly leaving two sleeping kids in a locked car in a safe neighborhood when there is no danger of heat exhaustion or exposure.
Thoughts?
So she stopped off at 7-11 to grab a bottle of water and a bottle of milk. When she parked, right outside the door, she realized the boys were asleep.
So she got out, locked the car door, walked the 20 feet to the 7-11 (with its huge windows so she could see there was no line) and went to buy the water/milk. It was, btw, 60 degrees outside and she parked in the shade. She could see the car while inside.
When she came out (total time inside was under 3 minutes), a woman she'd never seen before started yelling at her for leaving the boys in the car unattended and threatened to call the police, called her negligent, trying to harm the boys, etc.
Our au pair is from Brazil and leaving kids in the car is quite normal there. She was really shaken up by the experience - she didn't know what to say and felt quite attacked (especially not being the mom and not being a citizen), so she didn't defend herself - instead she quickly got in the car and drove away. She said she couldn't stop crying for a good 30 minutes and had to come home early because she was so upset.
My husband and I are appalled that a complete stranger would just attack her like that - if this woman had been really concerned, she could have approached her differently and expressed her worries - but instead, she attacked her and made all sorts of accusations.
Our au pair, btw, is an exceptionally responsible girl. She is 24, very honest, very good judgment, and is someone who I completely trust with the boys.
I am just so angry that this happened. It just strikes me as complete overkill to get so worked up over a stranger briefly leaving two sleeping kids in a locked car in a safe neighborhood when there is no danger of heat exhaustion or exposure.
Thoughts?