To leave a ten yr old home alone for an hour

Where's round here ? No one where I live does that until secondary school , they all use aftersschool club, childminders, etc

I'd leave mine while we were at tesco at 10 but the school would have something to say if they were home alone after school everyday I think

Why intrigued? 10 years old is plenty old enough to get home, let themselves in, and watch telly/do homework for a couple of hours. They walk home alone from 7 years old 'round here - children are a lot more capable than many of us realise.

Waiting not acting

I'm intrigued by 10 year olds letting themselves in and acting til an adult gets home from work - that's year 5 isn't it ? Round here only year 6 walk home alone

No.

I would judge a parent of a NT child who wouldn't do this tbh.

I think it depends on the child. My son is 9.5 but he is a very young 9 year old. Still really bad at road crossing etc. so at the moment I don't feel confident about leaving him.
My sister used to walk alone to school when she was 9 but there wasn't a road just one straight 5 minute walk.

I used to get left alone in the house frequently when I was a child of about 11. I was very streetwise but even I stupidly opened the door to a stranger when my mum had left the house and there was a knock at the door literally minutes later. I thought it was my mum so opened the door and a guy tried to come in. Thankfully, my neighbour heard what was going on; she'd seen him watching our house for a good while, he'd seen me playing out and then obviously saw my mum leave the house. She told the man to hop it and for me to shut the front door!

No I wouldn't leave a 10 year old at home alone.

I'm also a bit wary of this. I have a just turned 10 year old, sensible child, but it doesn't feel right yet.

I left his brother for an hour or so at 11 years, and now he's 13 years he's absolutely fine for a few hours at a time, walks 45 mins from school, into town etc.

It didn't hold him back to wait that year, and they do grow up a huge amount between 10 and 11 years.

I am so, so overprotective (the word neurotic gets bandied about a bit by my friends!)
And I do think you should go for it, I'd double check how she deals with certain situations first.

I've been double checking my daughters view of how things should be done to keep ourselves safe. By DDs age, she will have a fairly good idea... my one has just turned 9, so slightly younger.

Seeing these things will probably help you gain trust in her judgement too.

Yes, I would (and have, younger than that).

These threads always upset me: ultimately it is all down to the individual child/set of circumstances/parental risk-aversion or otherwise.
What is fine for me and my child, might horrify others.

And I totally agree about the absolute need to let children learn to be independent. I know the world has changed, but not that much. A lot of the risks are perceived risks and are perfectly manageable.

I totally agree with teaching kids independence. I just think 10 theyre still at primary, still 'little'.
I think 12 is a better age-they're at the academy or high school, starting to do things by themselves and take responsibility.
But I'm thinking of my circumstances and our kids (both are taught to be independent, but DSD can be clingy and DS is mischief!).
Like I said, its down to the individual child and parent!

Absolutely fine, go for it. Most 10 year olds should be able to handle an hour at home alone.

Normal where I live for children to be home alone for a couple of hours in the afternoon from 7 or 8 years old but definitely (if both parents work) from 9 years old at the latest as there is no after-school care after 8 years old.

Sorry to go against the grain, but I wouldnt either. just a bit too young for me personally, even if the child is sensible!

So what age is alright with you.They have to learn these things and the sooner the better.You have to start with small steps.Its for their own development.

I've left dd for an hour since she was nine. She's sensible and knows the rules. There is always a contact able adult at the end of the phone.

I've been leaving my 10 year old for 15 minutes while I drive siblings to an activity for a while now. She's off sick (nothing drastic just sore throat and temp) and the last two days I had to leave her for an hour a couple if times as had work commitments. She has a phone and rules, and also walks 15mins to school on her own sometimes.

The first hour, when I came back she was fine but slightly anxious and said "that seemed long" so the next time I made sure to tell her the time I'd be back by, and phone when on way back. When I was going to be gone nearly 2hours, she chose to come with me. So it def depends on the child and you.

Yes defiantly fine... my dh goes white when he realises things like this happen in our house. I explain that this is exactly the reason he couldn't work an oven/ washer/ wipe his own arse when he moved in with me and there's no chance on this earth my kids will be so hopelessly dependent on me forever more. They have to learn to be independent and take responsibility for themselves.

You and I could be bff's balence!

Yes defiantly fine... my dh goes white when he realises things like this happen in our house. I explain that this is exactly the reason he couldn't work an oven/ washer/ wipe his own arse when he moved in with me and there's no chance on this earth my kids will be so hopelessly dependent on me forever more. They have to learn to be independent and take responsibility for themselves.

Sorry to go against the grain, but I wouldnt either. just a bit too young for me personally, even if the child is sensible!

But OP, you know your child best!

I left my older two at that age. Ds3 is 10.5 but is quite an anxious child. He will happily walk to school alone or to his friends houses and I leave him alone to walk the dog for 15 mins around a park close to the house but he wouldn't be happy for longer. A sensible 10 year old will be fine.

Yanbu yes you will be judged. But you will also be judged for taking her with with you and leaving her hanging round outside. She's your dd we don't know her I think you already knew that she would be ok at home by herself before you asked on here. Have more confidence in your parentin. When I first starting leaving my dd home alone round about the same age I would give her the house phone and ask her to just leave it on the side while I was connected on my mobile with an ear piece in just so I could listen in. Sounds abit crazy but gave me peace of mind

DD1's been left since 9 with the neighbours keeping an ear open. Safe northern village. My last house was in a rough town so I probably wouldn't of then.

I think it really depends on the area and child's maturity.

My eldest is 12 next week. My youngest 11 in Mar. Would you let them get the school bus home and let themselves in/be without an adult in the house for an hour each day?

Yep. One of mine is 12 and and the other 11 in April, and I happily have them let themselves and be alone here for a couple of hours.

Yes. I leave my (only just) ten year old at home whilst I drop my young dd to Rainbows down the road.
Rules are ignore the phone and door, no cooking/kettle, and ring me immediately if you're worried.