ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Back from the brink!

Back from the brink!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

I woke up with no hands and feet

I woke up with no hands and feet

{headline}

{headline}

How chalk found me love!

How chalk found me love!

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

Pregnant at 51 – My mum had my baby

Pregnant at 51 – My mum had my baby

{headline}

{headline}

Brave Bella - saved by her twin!

Brave Bella - saved by her twin!

We found $40,000 in our garage!

We found $40,000 in our garage!

I SHAVED my head on my WEDDING day!

I SHAVED my head on my WEDDING day!

Born with no hands - but nothing will stop my boy

Born with no hands - but nothing will stop my boy

Dumped wife's revenge: 'Be fabulous!'

Dumped wife's revenge: 'Be fabulous!'

I LOVE the skin I'm in!

I LOVE the skin I'm in!

I became an ice addict at 40 - Now I'm helping others

I became an ice addict at 40 - Now I'm helping others

  1. Home
  2. Real Life

Mum's heartbreaking confession is a warning to all mums about forgotten child syndrome

‘Today I did the unthinkable’ - by that's life!
  • 12 Jul 2017
Mum's heartbreaking confession is a warning to all mums about forgotten child syndrome

A mum who accidentally forgot her daughter in the car has shared her horror at discovering her mistake, and wants to share her story to warn other parents of just how easy it is.

Writing in a post on her Facebook page, blogger Britta Eberle confesses that she ‘feels terrible’ after discovering that she had left her little girl, Ada, behind in the car.

thisismamahood View Profile
21 likes - View Post on Instagram
She is perfection. A real life sleeping beauty. From the curve of her mouth to the wisps of hair lying across her cheeks. Her smooth skin unblemished by the hardships of the world. Sometimes I try to view the world through her eyes. Remarkable and immense. There is so much she doesn't know. And yet she astonishes me with her ability to grasp the nuances of human interaction. The way her voice can suddenly shift and take on the cadence of someone much older than her two years. Where did she learn that? Is she imitating me? Someone else? Or is this something she has come to all on her own and much too quickly. She is perfection. Her short hair in ponytails. Wearing two kinds of mismatched polka dots. I pretty, Mommy. Yes. Yes, you are sweetheart. You are the most beautiful girl. And I hope she always know that. But someday she won't and she won't believe me when I remind her. Never mind. I don't want to think about that now. I just want to watch the way my girl dances whenever she hears music. Spinning in circles. Arms flailing. So pleased with herself because when she jumps, both feet come up off the ground. She is perfection. Toddling down the long hallway of a hotel, the pink tutu of her bathing suit swaying back and forth with her clumsy gait. She is running as fast as her small, chubby legs will carry her. She is trying to catch up with her older brother and even though that's impossible. Even though she will never be as fast as him, she shrieks with delight. And I just want to freeze time. Freeze the moment so that I can always go back and visit this child of mine. This girl who is ready to take on the world. She is perfection. #thisismotherhood #mommylife #momlife #daughters #stronggirl

The family had just arrived at a friend’s house, and they all bailed out of the car, forgetting little Ada behind. They realised 20 minutes later and rushed back to get her - saying they found their girl crying all alone.

This Is Motherhood

While her daughter will probably not remember the incident, Britta says it’s a moment she will never forget.  

‘It was such a small mistake but it could have had devastating consequences.’ she wrote.

thisismamahood View Profile
22 likes - View Post on Instagram
This is what summer is all about - dirty, happy faces and lounging around doing nothing. #mommylife #momlife #toddlerlife #parenting #summer #hammock #happy

Britta’s story is not unique, unfortunately. In fact, children being forgotten in cars is so common it’s referred to as ‘forgotten child syndrome’ and thousands of children are rescued from cars by emergency services in Australia every year.  

While Britta’s accident had no terrible consequences, not all children are so lucky. Earlier this year, a devastated mum was convinced she had dropped her baby, Noah, at daycare, only to discover the baby had died in the hot car - forgotten for seven hours.  

There are calls for Australia to increase the standards for car safety, which could include sensory technology to remind parents of the presence of children in cars.

Subscribe to That's Life Weekly & Save!-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life Weekly & Save!

Subscribe to That's Life Weekly & Save!-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life Weekly & Save!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Back from the brink!

Back from the brink!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

I woke up with no hands and feet

I woke up with no hands and feet

{headline}

{headline}

How chalk found me love!

How chalk found me love!

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

Pregnant at 51 – My mum had my baby

Pregnant at 51 – My mum had my baby

{headline}

{headline}

Brave Bella - saved by her twin!

Brave Bella - saved by her twin!

We found $40,000 in our garage!

We found $40,000 in our garage!

I SHAVED my head on my WEDDING day!

I SHAVED my head on my WEDDING day!

Born with no hands - but nothing will stop my boy

Born with no hands - but nothing will stop my boy

Dumped wife's revenge: 'Be fabulous!'

Dumped wife's revenge: 'Be fabulous!'

I LOVE the skin I'm in!

I LOVE the skin I'm in!

I became an ice addict at 40 - Now I'm helping others

I became an ice addict at 40 - Now I'm helping others

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life Weekly & Save!-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life Weekly & Save!