To think FIL was BU to leave children to go to end of street?

ageist

I can see why he’d think this was okay although I wouldn’t have done it (I didn’t even like going to the car when the kids were little and we lived in a house with street parking). But I think it’s a simple ask not to do it again as opposed to blowing up your only childcare option. He should have the chance to fix it.

What utter, ignorant, drivel. How generations have survived and continued the human race whilst GenX have been parents I will never understand 🙄

For those posters talking about leaving their young dc in another room or whilst they nip into the garden please reread the op.
This man locked 3 small children 1 a toddler and the other with SEN in the house alone whilst he fucked off down the road. Anything could have happened and he wouldn't have heard it, known about it or done anything to help until he managed to get back to the house and unlocked the door.
Oh and to the agest poster no gen X and boomers wouldn't have done this my boomer parents didn't and I (gen X) would never do it either. This is not a generational thing but a shitty parents thing

Depends - how far is the end if the street? If you live at number 1 and there’s 300 houses then yes I’d question it. But if it was a couple if car lengths away then YABU

I agree with you. I’ve been having a shower and my husband has popped out to the shop and our 4yr old has been fine in front of the tv for a bit, but then they’re pretty good with things like that.

The grandparent should have messaged the parents though to let them know to keep an ear out for them just in case (I presume the parents were both in the house too as the OP says they were working from home).

Gen X - So no one aged 46-61 can be trusted with children ? 😂

"If your FIL is Gen X or a boomer then you know that they are unlikely to be responsible to look after children."

Many Gen X will have children. You think anyone over 45 is too irresponsible to look after children?

What a ridiculous generalisation!

What do you if you are going to use the bathroom and are going to be longer than 2 minutes, do you take your children into the bathroom with you or do you just leave them unattended for a few minutes?

What a sweeping generalisation! I brought up children on the 80’s and I can assure you I supervised them all, they’re all still here !

Wouldn’t be an issue at all for me and am surprised by some of the hysterical responses on this thread. As PP has already said, have a word if you’re that concerned, but he didn’t pop to the shops, but to his car down the end of the street - I’m with your other half on this.

I know your circumstances are slightly different @smallholdingdreams but does no one leave their kids to hang washing out, go for a poo, make dinner, etc?
I would ask FIL not to do it again, explain the situation with your eldest carefully and leave it at that.

The majority of comments are stating that’s it’s unreasonable to leave any 3 & 5 year old alone for even 2 minutes, not this specific child.

If this specific child needs 1 to 1 care perhaps an older FIL doing it while also looking after an active 3 year old isn’t appropriate, only her and DH can know that though. All children with ADHD are not the same and there no one rule.

This wouldn't have bothered me particularly, I often left my little ones in the house to fetch things from the car, but you could ask him to stay close/in the house with them all the time as the 5yo can escalate quickly.

Agreed.

Hysterical responses in here for the most part.

🤣 I presume (hope) you are joking.

I have to say that leaving a 5 year old and 3 year old for a couple of minutes isn't the worse thing in the world, though I wouldn't do it myself. If it were me, I'd probably say to him that it makes me unconformtable, please don't do it again. I'm sure he'd agree not to. This is a small matter which can be easily solved.

This. I’m a Boomer, and I’ve looked after my kids, my grandchildren, and now a great grandchild, all without any harm coming to any of them. 🙄

Jeez, there are some daft views on here.

I would leave my 4 yr old daughter in the living room and run out to the car or backyard. I'd leave her with her 3 yr old cousin.

At 4 I had to take my eldest to the loo with me for everyone's safety.

Kids with ASD/ADHD are not able to be treated in fully age appropriate ways, that's why it's a disability

What utter ageist drivel.

As someone who was a 1:1 support in school for a child with ADHD who was impulsive and would flip in a second I wasn't allowed to let him out of my sight in order to protect him and other children. If your 5 year old is anything like him then YANBU.

What totally ridiculous thing to say. How many thousands/millions of grandparents are there that take care of grandchildren perfectly well? I’m shocked.

@ScottishHils that’s another good point