Holiday cover for 13 year old

[Workitbabe]

Hi there need some input from you lovely lot.

I work near enough full time, and normally have used a holiday club for my dd1 (12) and dd2 (8)

DD1 will be 13 in May and is adamant that she doesn't want to go to a holiday club. I am not sure however that I can legally leave dd1 on her own for 7.5 hours. Can anyone help/advise.

Thanks

[superram]

I am a teacher and confirm that many, many year 7 students are left on their own in the holidays. Could you do a few days at a more expensive drama, sport thing so it is fewer days. If she is sensible I would leave her.

[cece]

I would leave her at home.

Get her to organise some days/afternoons out with friends - that will pass the time!

[Workitbabe]

Thankyou. She is in year 8 and pretty sensible. Will save a small fortune on holiday clubs. Just so hard to juggle with only 4 weeks holiday entitlement.

[228agreenend]

I leave my 13 year old at home whilst at work. I don't think there is a legal age. You can leave a responsible 12 year old, but not a irresponsible 15 year old.

Is she used to being at home by herself? If not, then I would build it up slowly. Ie, leave her at home for an hour, two hours and then more. Also, when she is left at home, make sure she has details of neighbours where she can turn to if she has any difficulties/ feels lonely etc,,

[SueDunome]

I'm surprised you can find a holiday club that will take a 13 year old.
Does she have friends that live nearby? Can you arrange a rota with other Mums so that there is at least one adult available if needed? Having said that, she'll probably be fine.
How far away from home is your work? Presumably she has a phone, so you can keep in touch by text (if she'll answer!)

[notagiraffe]

I'd just sit down with her and check that she has plans for most days of the holiday - seeing friends, going swimming or to the cinema etc or having people over, as well as booking her onto a short course somewhere - sport or drama or similar for a week. Maybe she could cook a few evening meals for you to come home to. My DC do that sometimes in the holidays and it's lovely.

[tempo]

I leave my 13 year old DS (year 8) at home during the holidays as I work full time. But I always make sure he has a plan of some sort during the day, either out with friends or at their house, or if nothing is planned, to meet me for lunch which takes up 2-3 hours of his time getting there/back & having lunch. Otherwise he would spend 8 hours in front of playstation! He also does some day activities - lots out there for 13 year olds, only way to get him to do it though is with a friend. So mix it up a bit and she will be fine.