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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

9 year old left in park for 10 minutes

205 replies

Italianasoitis · 24/06/2024 18:22

My 9 year old son went to his friend's house after school. The dad collected them both from school and took them to the park. When my son got home, he said that the dad went back home to get something and left both my son and his friend (both 9) alone for 10 minutes. In this time my son fell over and grazed his knee and said an old lady came over to him to see if he was OK. Son wasn't frightened, hurt or upset amd while he is quote mature for his age, I have never left him alone for any amount of time. I'm annoyed and am not sure if I'm being unreasonable. I feel like I can't trust the parents again. Am I mad? I can be a bit over protective but aibu in thinking you don't leave 9 year olds alone in the park? Or maybe it's OK. I don't know. What do you all think?

OP posts:
Comedycook · 24/06/2024 18:25

It's fine to do this with your own child imo although I wouldn't. You should not do this with someone else's without checking it's ok with their parents.

Mumtoson123 · 24/06/2024 18:25

I think if you are responsible for another parents 9 year old child then no you shouldn’t leave them. If you choose to leave your own 9 year old alone in the park that’s your parenting choice, but imo you shouldn’t be leaving another child there especially if you’re meant to be looking after them.

YANBU

Italianasoitis · 24/06/2024 18:25

Maybe. I just kind of wanted that to be my call to make, based on my own assessment of the situation. Anyway I'm happy to know I'm bu actually.

OP posts:
Crankymonkey · 24/06/2024 18:25

“Can’t trust the parents again?”
Sorry but that seems like an over reaction to me. Your son wasn’t left on his own, and you said that he is mature for his age. Don’t smother …

dizzydizzydizzy · 24/06/2024 18:24

I would leave a couple of 9year olds alone in a park for 10 minutes. It is going for children to have manageable amounts of independence and responsibility.