I used to wait until the car is running on empty then fill it completely.  That way I only had to stop once a fortnight.  Now I like to keep the tank full, so I do one of 2 things.  1) Fill the tank in my lunch break when I'm alone; 2) go to where they have driveway service (I do this monthy to have under the bonnet checked and the tyres pumped) and pay a little extra to avoid getting her out of the car.  If I do have to stop and she is with me, she comes in with me.  I have never left her in the car except to run up the stairs and unlock the front door if she's fallen asleep in the car, but I'm only 1M from the car and I have never gone inside and left her in the car where I can't see her.  As Emmysmum said, it's illegal and it's illegal here in Qld too to leave kids in the car. A car was stolen not far from my place and all the mum did was run in to a fish and chips shop to pick up her order, she was only in there as long as it would take to pay for petrol and the car had been locked but another set of keys were in the ignition to keep the airconditioning on.  The guy broke the window on one side, reached through and unlocked it and drove off with the kids in the car.  It can happen so fast I wouldn't take any chances.

I fill up then we all pile out and go in together. It's always a bit of a drama and it takes heaps longer, but I have always felt it was too much of a risk to leave them there. I would never forgive myself if something happened.

i checked with my uncle who is a police officer - here in NSW it is illegal to leave your kids in the car at anytime without you around even if it is only for a short time.
I am not sure about other states as i didn't ask...
ITs best to get kids out - because anything could happen
Cheers.

With Chloe as she is with me most ot the time when we get petrol i try and park as close as i can to the petrol station door, and leave her, and we have had a lot of chats when it is ok to take belt off, to how to behave in the car...

I wish they bring back where all servos had their workers help us in those situaions, intsead of having them stuck behind a counter....

take care'
love cazza

I usually take her in but the other day she was asleep and I just had to get it so I left her in the car, I locked it, and it is mearly metres to the door but I was just so so paranoid I dont think I could ever do it again!

I did toss up waking her up but sometimes, when you have had a horrid day the thought of waking them up is even scarier.

I didnt know it was illegal, but I could never do it again anyway. It was just too much for me.

I have an 18mth old son and always leave him in the car and lock it when I get petrol. 

I can always see him out out the petrol station window and I figure nothing much can happen if your car is locked and in sight.   And also, I'm only ever in the shop for a few mins while I'm paying for petrol anyway.

I get my petrol after fropping kids off at school ,before that  when they were younger i use to take them in with me to pay for it

I usually try and get petrol when I am on my own but if I have to I usually get them out of the car with me. Hannah is 3 and she can undo her seatbelt and I dont want her climbing around the car.

Hi Bel, I always usually leave mine in the car since i usually have 6 or more at one time i do not take them all in it is a nightmare even to the supermarket lol lol. As i always say there is safetuy in numbers pmsl! I always try to get fuel when the kids are at daycare or on weekends when have older ones with mwe that can go and pay. But 9/10 i leave mine in the car. I fill tank drive car to the door of servo go in and pay and get the heck outta there lol lol. But some people do not like leaving children in cares but hey when i have em all with me i leave them there in the car not the servo. I have taught them to sit still and wait for me to come out i keep a very close eye on the car when o go into pay for the petrol. But as i say it depends on wethere you like leaving them in car or not up to the individual.. Hugs Michellle

I always have my 3 kids in the car with me when getting petrol, I drive up the front and lock the car door, they are in my view at all times, but if I am with my bub I always take him in, but most of the time I make sure I fill up on the weekend so Im set for the week x

Only a couple of times have i locked harrison in the car.  I don't like doing it and if it is illegal, i won't do it any more.  Otherwise, i do it when i have someone in the car with me or have hubby do it when he is home.

What a scary thought,  I always try to get petrol when my partner is home.  ie: on the W/end.   Either that or take him in with me.  Seems a hassel but better that than something going wrong if you left them there.

AJV

I get them out of the car, or pay at the pump or go to a full service station and get some one else to pump the gas for me...

Wow that is scary. I always left my kids in the car. They are old enough now not for it to be an issue but having read Izzy,s blog lately about having 6 month old twins and having trouble picking up her young son, how would you take twin babies and toddler in at same time? I had 3 under 4 years so just getting them in and out to go places was hard enough. A couple of toddlers in a petrol station begging for lollies and such would not be fun!

I tend to pay at the pump of get gas when I am on my own or hubby does it. If this wasn't possible, I would take the little man in with me.

hi, that is so strange that you ask that question because only 2 days ago I was at the petrol station and was asking myself the samething. I ended up taking chloe in with me and then decided to ask the lady that served me what most people did. She said that some leave them in there, some take them with them and some drive their car right up to the service station shop so that the car is closer.  Personally, I would take them with me. However, i always try and get pertol when hubby gets home or on the weekend when hubby maybe looking after Chloe.  The other day after 6 months was the first time I was faced with this situation. 

Hey Bel

Well we only have one child - I have scoped out all of the servos that have swipe card facilities at the bowser so that I can just pay at the pump.

When we are stuck alone and have to go in, we take MicroMe with us - it is illegal to lock kids in cars or leave them in them anyway - plus I just couldn't do it.  (Yes that hoax email has a very good point angelicarose ).

I imagine it is harder with more than one child, however Stephen is pretty mindful of keeping the car topped up for when we need it without him.

hi

i always get them out

i have heard stories of people going to pay for petrol and getting there car stolen with their kids inside

stacey xoxox