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Original poster

To leave my 7 yr old home alone for 30mins ?

261 replies

confusedwithschool · 24/07/2024 13:12

My 7 yr old DD has the dreaded chicken pox ( she’s on day 5) but still absolutely covered. Half of his class are out cos of this

Tomorrow is my DS’s year 6 graduation and there is no one I can call to babysit ( that’s even if they would want to )

I can’t take her there as I would be exposing other kids but at the same time how can I miss my sons grad?

im torn . I plan to be on video call with her while there and the school is just down the road , a 2 min walk

not sure what I can do ?

OP posts:
Sunshineclouds11 · 24/07/2024 13:33

No neighbours who can sit with her for half an hour?

Cheeesus · 24/07/2024 13:33

TheRakesTale · 24/07/2024 13:32

Year 6 'graduation'
It's all getting ridiculous

Leavers’ assembly sounds a bit better and is the same thing 😂

TheRakesTale · 24/07/2024 13:32

Year 6 'graduation'
It's all getting ridiculous

Cheeesus · 24/07/2024 13:32

Could you ask on a class group chat type of thing if anyone has an older child (like an 18 yr old) who could babysit for an hour? One who’s had CP already.

DappledThings · 24/07/2024 13:31

This isn't a dilemma. You miss the leavers' assembly, no question. It's a shame but it's not the end of the world.

Mrsttcno1 · 24/07/2024 13:31

It’s a rubbish situation but you can’t leave a 7 year old no.

Hummingbird75 · 24/07/2024 13:31

No too young.

ToofHurty · 24/07/2024 13:31

Of course you can’t leave a sick 7 year old at home alone.

Your 10/11 year old is old enough to understand why you can’t be at their Year 6 graduation (which isn’t even really a thing).

Mybusyday · 24/07/2024 13:30

Please don't leave your 7 year old on their own. At day 5 your child probably isn't contagious - have they started to scab over yet or are they still oozing?

WindsurfingDreams · 24/07/2024 13:30

Can she hang out with one of the other children who has it.and their parent?

Otherwise no, not at that age.

Baddaybigcloud · 24/07/2024 13:29

You can’t leave your child and video call them - someone will get wind of it and leaving an ill child at home is a safeguarding concern

user1477249785 · 24/07/2024 13:29

Op. You really don't have an option here. It sucks but you cannot leave a seven year old who is ill home alone.

Original poster
confusedwithschool · 24/07/2024 13:28

Maray1967 · 24/07/2024 13:25

I videoed and photographed one of DS’s mates at their end of year 6 event as a similar thing happened and the mum asked me to. He was fine - understood his mum couldn’t be there. By video I mean only him at the end outside - just 30 seconds of him holding his certificate and in his cap and gown. I don’t think filming the whole thing was allowed at all. Could someone at least do this for you?

This might be an option. Will see if I can call his best mates mum to video him

OP posts:
NowItsMeMyselfAndI · 24/07/2024 13:28

You can’t leave a sick young child - if you aren’t driving to the school unless you literally live opposite it’s going to be more than 30mins.

Find a neighbour to babysit or don’t go to graduation.

Wizardcalledoz · 24/07/2024 13:27

Do it the other way round and ask someone to video call you for the graduation if the school will allow - might allow that over a recorded video

purplecorkheart · 24/07/2024 13:26

Do you know your neighbour any bit at all that would have an teen who could sit downstairs for half and hour?

Original poster
confusedwithschool · 24/07/2024 13:26

K0OLA1D · 24/07/2024 13:22

I've left mine at that age with an older sibling and would now they're 10, but I do think 7 might be a bit young. Have you asked them? They might not want to be left?

I asked her and she doesn’t clearly.told her I will be with her on the video call throughout on her iPad but she said ok relunctantly. I might just have to skip the grad . Don’t think I can go through with it

OP posts:
Maray1967 · 24/07/2024 13:25

I videoed and photographed one of DS’s mates at their end of year 6 event as a similar thing happened and the mum asked me to. He was fine - understood his mum couldn’t be there. By video I mean only him at the end outside - just 30 seconds of him holding his certificate and in his cap and gown. I don’t think filming the whole thing was allowed at all. Could someone at least do this for you?

NuffSaidSam · 24/07/2024 13:25

Year six graduation is not a really thing so don't worry too much about missing it! I'm sure your eldest is capable of understanding why you can't be there.

Don't leave your seven year old home alone (or in the car?!).

Westfacing · 24/07/2024 13:25

You say half the class has it - can you contact the parents of another sufferer to see if you can somehow drop her off there?

Sunnydiary · 24/07/2024 13:25

No I wouldn’t leave a sick 7 year old alone for that time.

I would get another family member to attend the “graduation “

LuckysDadsHat · 24/07/2024 13:24

MereDintofPandiculation · 24/07/2024 13:22

At 11, I was having to navigate the 1 hour journey home from school myself. I'd have found it very hard if that was the first time Id been responsible for myself.

Show quote history

There is a big difference in age and maturity from 7 to 11 though. I have a 7 year old and no way would I leave her alone.

K0OLA1D · 24/07/2024 13:24

MereDintofPandiculation · 24/07/2024 13:22

At 11, I was having to navigate the 1 hour journey home from school myself. I'd have found it very hard if that was the first time Id been responsible for myself.

Show quote history

I was thinking 11 was a bit ott. Mine have been left from 10 alone completely for small amounts of time and now they're 10 and almost 13 they stay in all day some days in the holidays while we go to work!!

Original poster
confusedwithschool · 24/07/2024 13:23

Other parent is not here . Out of the country unfortunately. I’m just so torn . I don’t drive as well . She can’t even put clothes on to take her out as he is itching all over .No one to attend or help.

OP posts:
loropianalover · 24/07/2024 13:23

Ugh what bad timing! 😭

Is there a neighbour or anything who could even just watch over the house for an hour or so while you’re gone? Or sit downstairs and watch TV while DD lies in bed? Realistically she would probably be fine at home on her own but I understand why you’d be terrified and she may well panic being only 7.

Is it too late to call a babysitting service or similar?

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