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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave ten year old home alone for ten minutes.

36 replies

PilgorTheGoat · 19/04/2024 16:08

My DS is ten and in year 5. Today he has been off school poorly but by this afternoon was pretty much back to his normal self. Was I unreasonable to leave him for ten minutes to get his siblings from school (I left home at 15.26 and was home by 15.35 - walking the whole way so minimal distance too)?

He was fine about it, had my number and knew not to open the door, etc. he didn’t move from the sofa where he was watching cartoons. It’s the first time I’ve done it and I don’t intend to make a habit of it I was just wondering what people’s views are.

AIBU - you shouldn’t leave a ten year old at home for ten minutes.
YANBU - it was fine to leave a ten year old for ten minutes.

OP posts:
Peonies12 · 19/04/2024 16:18

of course it's fine. Don't they walk to school on their own usually?

FedUpMumof10YO · 19/04/2024 16:17

It's fine. 🙂

MisterNorrell · 19/04/2024 16:15

I and most of my friends walked ourselves home from school and occupied ourselves for what was often a couple of hours from about 8/9, and I'm late 20s so it's not exactly the days of yore. A 10 year old with no additional needs should be perfectly fine for 10 minutes.

Seeing as you've already done it and it was fine, I can't see the point of asking on MN- where an astonishing number of people don't let their primary school age child downstairs by themself in the morning and try to wrangle short 11 year olds into rear facing car seats.

KreedKafer · 19/04/2024 16:14

At ten years old? Yes, of course it's fine! What's going to happen to him in 10 minutes?

theyoungishman · 19/04/2024 16:14

I leave my 10 yo up to about an hour by herself, it's fine!

Cadela · 19/04/2024 16:13

Of course it’s fine! Now’s the time to slowly and safely introduce them to more responsibility. He’ll be at high school before you know it and will be making his own way there and back.

SaltyGod · 19/04/2024 16:12

Of course it’s fine.

Original poster
PilgorTheGoat · 19/04/2024 16:12

I’m asking because I worry I’ve been irresponsible!

OP posts:
skipit81 · 19/04/2024 16:11

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

Chatterboxy · 19/04/2024 16:11

It’s fine!

K0OLA1D · 19/04/2024 16:10

Fine. I leave my 10yo alone for a short while. And for longer periods with his 12yo brother.

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