To leave a ten yr old home alone for an hour

It really depends on the child. DD I leave for 10-20 minutes to go to the shops/errands. I am very unlikely to get run over etc, but she knows how to use the phone and knows our neighbours... Agin she is not to answer the door or cook (she has been able to make sandwiches/get fruit and drinks etc for a couple of years so she would hardly starve).

One or 2 of her friends I wouldn't trust in our back garden without me looking out every 10 minutes....

Do you have to stay with the youngest child? I am wondering if you could get some exercise by dropping her off, nipping home...start super or something and check on older DC then nip back again).

Bunnyfuller I think your dilemma would depend on whether DC fight like cats and dogs. My DD would be fine (though I'd want them to have a safe route home in the dark).

Bunny

Yes absolutely. As long as you think they're capable. At their ages they normally would be.

Can I jump in here and kind of add to Op's question, I'm kind of in the same wondering place.

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?

I currently work very flexibly, and finish in time for school run, and then do online work from home for another hour/2 hrs per day. There are some meetings and activities I currently don't attend (luckily not mandatory and a very understanding boss) but I'd quite like to possibly open that up a bit. There would be no roads to cross (just the local shop and sweets!)

Sorry to barge in op, good post x

Yes. Rules are not to answer the door or try and cook anything ! We had a spare mobile and have put credit on so she can answer if it's a number recognised or phone us. I tested her by knocking on the door, she didn't answer. In fact she didn't even react when I walked in! I also leave keys in doors in case of an emergency.

Yes. Ds (10) walks home from school and lets himself in until dh gets home. Which is usually between 45mins to an hour.

Yes I would (and have)

We covered some ground rules and a few "what if" scenarios. I figured they go out to play with friends for 2 or 3 hours at a time so an hour at home isn't any less safe.

Mummyof then she'll be hit by a car and...

I was joking, by the way. I've seen so many threads on here about leaving children alone for short periods (at various ages), and those unlikely events are always bandied about; car accident that prevents you getting home being the most 'likely' one.

I think it depends totally on the child and their level of maturity/compliance.

You'll know your child. My mum left me from around that age, and I looked after my brother from around 12 (he would have been 6). I was left alone for a full weekend at 15.

My brother, however, managed to start a small fire trying to cook his lunch at 17

My 10 year old walks home from school (2/3 mile away) and lets herself into the house a couple of times a week. She's on her own for up to an hour and half. She's been doing this for 2 months now and she's 10 today. It was either this or a childminder and she chose to do this. She's perfectly capable and happy to do this.

DD1 was the same but DD2 was too scared so she didn't stay alone until a few weeks before starting secondary school.

I leave my 10 year old for an hour or so if we are doing something she doesn't want to come to, or after school. Not much longer as she doesn't really like being alone for longer. Same as everyone else- my rules are no cooking/toast/kettle (as she is extremely clumsy), phone numbers left out for me and dad's mobile, don't answer the door. It's always been fine.

I would take them for the walk/company most weeks maybe go for a walk while you are waiting instead of hanging around outside. If you have to walk and weather is bad leave them at home.

TaterdemailionAspie. It's ok op is walking.

My 8.5 yr old dd is getting closer to being ready to be left but not just yet. Some parents I know have been leaving their child for an hour since age 7, which I think is too young, however, they have a number of very supportive neighbours. I hope by 9 or 10 dd will be fine home alone for a short while.

I definitely would.

Far preferable to leave a sensible 10 year old on the sofa with a book than drag them out in the cold in and out of the car on tedious errands / delivering siblings to activities etc.

I would happily leave my sensible ten year old alone for an hour or so but she won't let me!!

On a serious note, though; it depends entirely on the child. I've left DD home alone for short periods since she was 8. I don't see any problem doing it with a sensible child who will stick to the safety rules. You know your child better than anyone else.

Yes, depending on the child.
If I left ds2 for 1/2 an hour, playing the x box, to pick up ds1, he wouldn't even notice, and wouldn't have moved an inch!! Much longer than that and I don't think he'd like it!!

So total of 40mins. 10 mins to get there, 30mins for you to wait for younger child and 10 mins home

Sounds fine to ma as others have said

Depends on the child but yes probably.

Yes. I do it regularly as my 10YO is happy and trustworthy.

My eldest never wanted to be left home alone at that age though so I guess it depends on the child.

I did it for the first time yesterday! 10 yr old dc, sensible kid. Left to get younger dc from an activity, was gone 20 minutes. He loved it, and wasn't bothered a bit. I might feel differently if he weren't reasonably sensible.

Ye my nearly 9 year old does be left alone for short periods.It doesnt do them any harm.

I think it depends on the child my 9 year old nearly 10 , absolutely not...However that is my child who struggles to be sensible with me in the house.

I'm ridiculously overcautious but I'd do it.