to leave my dc alone while i go out for the evening?

[heavyheartedfarted]

Have 4dc,younger 2 are staying with gp for 2 nights and as a newly single parent i would love to get out these nights.
So AIBU to leave dd 11 (12 in 5 weeks) and ds 13 alone for 4/5 hours whilst i go out with friends?They are both happy for this to happen and are very sensible but you read so many stories of parents getting in trouble for similar things,would love to know what age others think this is ok.

[ilove]

I would

[Goblinchild]

Do they have an adult within 5 minutes who would respond to an emergency call?
Are they sensible and calm children who get on well with each other?

[Nanny0gg]

I don't know why the evening is worse than the day, but for some reason it is.
And I think they're too young.

[Grumpla]

Um.... nope. I think you need a babysitter.

When I was 15 I was babysitting for kids that age, I used to have to literally tear them off each other and bathe wounds (on a number of occasions, before I learned never to go for a wee until at least one of them was asleep) as well as lock the girl in one night when she announced she was off round her mate's house (at 11pm? When your mum told me to have you in bed by ten? I think not!)

[manicbmc]

I don't think I'd have a problem with the ages as such but I think a lot can go wrong in 4/5 hours. Maybe cut the time you'll be out down to 2 hours until they get used to it?

[tallulahxhunny]

good god, no way!!

are you serious? i understand they are older children but still illegal to be left alone in charge of a house i think. Could you live with the consequences of something happening while you were out?

[heavyheartedfarted]

goblin-our neighbour is lovely and would help in emergency,very sensible and do get on.
janitor-they are 13 and nearly 12

[madhousewife]

When I was 12 I was babysitting four boys under the age of 6 or 7 (I can't quite remember). Not that I would condone that but if you think your children are sensible and will be able to call you in an emergency they should be fine.

[mrspnut]

I would, my DD1 (14) babysits for DD2 (4) when we go out. Leave some numbers for them and make sure a neighbour is happy to help out in case of an emergency.

[WowOoo]

I wouldn't. I nearly burnt our house down trying to make scampi when i was 13 and my mum and dad had gone out for an hour. I was not too sensible. Luckily, I put out the fire. So, so very lucky.

[TheOriginalFAB]

I wouldn't.

[happy2bhomely]

My DS is nearly 11 and we have left him 1 1/2 hrs during the day while we went to the doc with the little ones. He has also been left for 1/2 hr twice before. He is sensible but I wouldn't be at all comfortable leaving him for 4/5 hours of an evening. My Ds wouldn't be comfortable with this either. He is younger than your 2 dc, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about!

[timmysamba]

I wouldn't.

[purplepidjin]

With a good neighbour checking each hour, and if you don't plan to come in at 3am steaming drunk, I think you'd be ok for a couple of hours. Longer would be asking for trouble (not going to bed, downloading random crap from t'interweb, trying to make "interesting" snacks) imo

[heavyheartedfarted]

tallulah-there is no law,its up to parents to decide but can be charged if children come to harm.
At 11 i was babysitting others.They are left alone in day eg today ds was left for 3 hours whilst took younger ones to park,he loves the fact i trust him and knows that if he does anything to break that trust he suffers as does not get that kind of freedom again.

[GypsyMoth]

lol at it being illegal!!!

i would,you know your dc best, they are at secondary school too,so mostly independent

[exoticfruits]

Yes, as long as
a, they are happy
b, they follow rules
c they can get you easily
d they have a neighbour they could call on in emergency.

If yes to all that then fine. You will have to leave them soon anyway-they get too old for babysitters-a 14yr old won't want one.

[exoticfruits]

Someone always brings illegal into it! It isn't illegal. They are not responsible-you are-that is all the legal part.
If they are stupid enough to start cooking scampi then don't leave them!

[heavyheartedfarted]

Would be really good to know what age peoples own dc are when they post,so know if your talking from experience.I am torn i dont want to be overprotective or neglect them just somewhere in the middle.

[exoticfruits]

but you know you are going to get inundated with the "what if the house burns down after the mad man from scream comes and attacks the DCs" sort of posts.

Quite. This will happen immediately you leave the house!