It's funny how the NSPC think a child under 13 should not be left alone, while in Scandinavia (which we are always told is so child-orientated), children start staying at home far younger than this. I'd have thought the dangers of the home were pretty much the same in any Western country.

Coo, I thought legal minimum was 11 and 14 for babysitting someone else's. So far, have only left 7 yo dd for a little while if I nip next door. I thikn sh'ed be fine, but I thought I'd be breaking the law...

Anyway, am slightly paranoid that she'll leave home before I get the hang of this parenting shit so don't like doing it

OOps missed the last one

6) What age would you allow your child to walk home from school alone?

I used to walk home from school when I was 6 (round the corner hehe) It depends how far, I wouldn't be happy with my DS aged 13 walking home from his school alone as it's about a 30-40 min walk through a bit of a dodgy area. My DD1 walks home from school sometimes, she's 11 and it's about a 5-10 minute walk but loads of people around doing school runs, pretty safe route.

If it's not far and no main roads, I probably would have let the children walk home from about 8/9, maybe a bit earlier if they had a friend to walk with.

1) What age would you leave your child at home alone?

I only started leaving DS on his own when he was about 10 and that was when I was doing a quick sibling pick up or drop off so no longer than about 10 minutes. DD2 is 11 and I've just started leaving her on her own for half an hour at the most

2) For how long? ie what age would you leave your child all day or overnight perhaps.

DS age 13 I'd be happy enough now to leave him for an afternoon or so if I were to go shopping (he hates shopping), he's never been left all day yet, probably 4 hours max. Overnight I really don't know, I wouldn't do it yet so can't really say.

3) What age would you deem you elder child responsible or able to care for younger siblings?

DS aged 13 has stayed with DD2 who is 5 for 5-10 minutes while I popped out but I make sure DD is settled and doing something calm like playing on the computer or watching telly. Still not 100% comfortable doing it but DD1 does so many activities it sometimes seems mean dragging her out in the car when she's settled.

4)Do you know what the legal age to leave children home alone is?

No idea

5) If you have recently left your child alone for the first time - would you do it again?

Yes, I definitely think the first time is the hardest. As a parent you trust your instincts and are usually right but it doesn't make it easy to do. It's a natural step as they grow older and once you realise they are absolutely fine without you there and the house isn't in flames you feel more confident in your decision.

and lastly (thankyou for bearing with me this far..if you have!)

6) What age would you allow your child to walk home from school alone?

Once ours got to secondary school so turning 11/12 they were reluctant to go the the child minder whilst I needed to work. (Ours being mine and a neigbours DD). We rang social services for advice and was told, you can leave them at home, but if anything happens you are responsible. Should be OK if you trust them and make sure they have someone near that they can go to if they feel the need. We did have, the childminder.

We stopped making arrangements around this time but I never felt 100% comfortable and the phone calls were flying back and forth most of the day. Nothing untoward happened as DD tended to stay home rather that roaming over dales and hills when I was at work.

So looking back I didn't stick to the advice i.e 13 years old. I think this is too ridged, depends on the child.

Now I've read the full article slowly, It is difficult to take anything seriously, from an organisation suggesting you call either their hotline or even social services !!!!) about nits though - they want to try working twith the social services teams I've had cause to deal with. Their caseloads are such, with serious issues, that they would be checking their calendars to see if it were 1st of April if someone made a call about a child having nits!!! I might have to look a bit more closely into if I should continue to support the NSPCC each month

actually me too, under 13's.. leaving them that is

s'ok.
picked myself up off the floor now

Oh begging your pardon - I hadn't picked that up. I still disagree but with the link now, not you

cat64,
it was cut and paste from abouteve's link