As parents, it's our job to teach kids how to be decent human beings and good citizens of the world — but that's not always as straightforward as it sounds. What happens when the "right" thing to do isn't necessarily the best thing for your family in that moment?
California psychologist and mother-of-two Leslie Dobson is currently at the center of a huge controversy because of an admission she made in a viral TikTok: She doesn't return her shopping cart when she's at the store with her kids, and it's because she's concerned about their safety: "I’m not getting my groceries into my car, getting my children into the car and then leaving them in the car to go return the cart."
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As ABC News reported, mom Leslie Dobson's original video has garnered nearly 12 million views since it was posted. While many people are outraged over what they call Dobson's "laziness," others say they understand her reasoning.
Related: Parents Allegedly 'Forget' Baby in Target Shopping Cart and Start Driving Away
"I return it and I teach my kids the same," wrote Doja Pink.
"Lock the car and return your cart," wrote danielamoga2.
"I absolutely agree with her," wrote JamirGrace.
"Nope, not returning the cart if that means leaving my kids alone in the car, not concerned about others' opinion," wrote Reimosa.
Whether it's because they've been left in the car unattended or because of the way people drive , there's no question that parking lots can be dangerous for kids. So what can you do to keep your little ones safe?
Parking Lot Safety Tips for Kids
According to Verywell Family, " more than 50,000 crashes occur in parking lots and garages annually, resulting in more than 60,000 injuries and 500 deaths."
One poll found that even "safe" drivers have unsafe parking lot habits ; for example, 66% of drivers report feeling comfortable making phone calls in parking lots, while 63% would program their GPS. 56% would send a text message, 52% would use social media, and 49% would take photos or watch videos.
That means plenty of drivers are not paying full attention in parking lots, which is why it's incredibly important that your child holds your hand. (If your hands are full with a younger sibling or you're pushing a cart, have your child hold onto the cart.)
You can also try teaching your kid the STAR acronym: S: Stop and stand still after you get out of the car. T: Touch a designated place on the car while you wait for your parent's instructions. A: Pay attention to everything going on around you and listen to your parent. R: Be ready to grab your parent's hand at any time.
Of course, kids do need to learn about the importance of returning shopping carts, too — as long as you can do it safely!
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