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Parenting

Would you leave a 9 and 10 year old for half an hour?

12 replies

NoNamesLeft86 · 19/05/2018 09:18

I need to drop my son off. Would def take the younger 2 but my 10 year old is still asleep and it seems so silly. I would probably be there and back in 20 mins but would say half an hour just in case. They are both sensible girls and both have their own phones so could call me or whoever if needed. I have a big dog who scares away anybody who comes to the door.

I've never left them before but it just seems so silly to make them get up and dressed etc. The club I need to drop my son to is 5-10 mins drive away.

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user1487671808 · 19/05/2018 09:28

I definitely would where are they ever going to be safer than in their own home. 9 and 7 was when I first started leaving my older DC to walk the dog etc for half hour at first. Make sure they know the ground rules and then do it. If you’re happy they’re sensible it’s a great way of helping them take responsibility in a safe environment and you have to start somewhere.

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BrennieGirl · 19/05/2018 09:29

I would. But leave a note explaining where you've gone in case they wake up.

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RueDeWakening · 19/05/2018 09:33

I would, and have. Just let them know where you're going and when you'll be back.

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Frax · 19/05/2018 09:34

I would to pop next door or within walking distance. Not to drive though in case of accident.
Also never without them knowing where I was, how long I would be, what to do if someone came to the door and how to get help in emergency.

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Acopyofacopy · 19/05/2018 09:35

Yes, but not if they are still sleeping! What if they wake up and panic? You need to tell them that you are going out.

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KappaKappa · 19/05/2018 09:38

I would but I wouldn’t leave while they were sleeping if they didn’t know I was going.

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MonumentVal · 19/05/2018 09:39

I'd wake them to tell them and make them repeat what I'd said, before leaving them. Also assumes they wouldn't fight and be daft - I could leave either my ds or dss but not both (they have ASD).

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QuoadUltra · 19/05/2018 09:40

Yes, we leave 10 and 8 yo quite often and will be out for up to an hour. They have the phone and are generally pretty predictable.

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QuoadUltra · 19/05/2018 09:41

Oh, and I feel no guilt. I was unsupervised at boarding school for hours at a time by that stage.

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DropZoneOne · 19/05/2018 09:42

Yes. I leave my 10 year old for up to an hour. She has my phone number and I call her when I'm on my way back too. She knows where to go for help if necessary.

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AngkorWaat · 19/05/2018 09:44

Yes I would. So long as you can trust them not to argue. I’d wake them and let them know though.

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NoNamesLeft86 · 19/05/2018 12:49

I wouldn't have not let them know where I was going. One was awake so she would know details to tell the other. Tbh they are screen addicts and would be happy to be left on their screens instead of dragged out. I didn't in the end and they came with me. But they do Moan about constantly having to drop the younger ones etc so I'm tempted to start leaving them.

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