7 year old child left alone whilst dad goes to the shop

Let me save you the call: they won't be interested.

I’m tempted to call social services and ask them their stance on this. Because if they say it’s at parental discretion then you will have no power to do anything about it and will cause upset with your ex. If they agree it’s too young then you can raise it with your ex and if he doesn’t stop you have the record of that with SS to take the next step should you have to

I live in another European country and I’m surprised to read everyone’s views on this. I’ve left my now 7yo home alone for 30 mins several times by now. I always ask him if he feels ok and safe to stay alone, and he’s said yes. He watches a cartoon while I’m away and has a phone. I call him halfway my trip to ask if all’s good - and he knows how to call me if needed. I honestly don’t see an issue with this. Yes the house could catch fire while I’m gone, but I really don’t want to live my daily life worrying about things that have a tiny likelihood of happening. How could I get into a car with my kids - I think the chance of a fatal car accident is bigger than house burning when I’m away for 30 mins. Needless to say, in the 90s 7yos stayed routinely alone at home the whole afternoon while parents worked.

He can clearly cope a lot better than you think if his dad can happily leave him while he goes to the shops.

He's 7, not 3.

I don't think it's necessarily too young but it is within the realms of being ok, depending on the child.

My 2 are 8 and 10, soon to be 9 and 11, the maturity gap between the 2 isn't huge but my eldest is allowed a tiny bit more freedom.

I would leave them both home alone for half an hour tops because I can be contactable and I wouldn't be far away. We've been through the dos and don'ts and tbh sometimes they don't move from one spot for ages. During half term I was home with them all day but they didn't actually need me. They walk themselves to their friends around the corner and they all just play on the estate. Again we have rules and if they break them there are consequences.

I probably wouldn't leave the 8 year old alone solo even though I know he would be absolutely fine just because I personally feel it's a bit young. My 10 year old is starting high school this year and will probably be home 10 minutes before I am so he either needs to learn to be home alone, stay at school or sit in the garden for 10 minutes.

Under 7 absolutely not, I feel 7-11 is a grey area where the younger ones could be capable but the older ones aren't because it's so child dependent as well as area/season dependent.

Mine get more freedom in the summer when it's light and more freedom if they are in a group.

@Madarch
Just about to say the same thing, I was sent to the off license for my dads fags at that age.

You talk about him like he's 3 though...

A 7 yo who can't open a door, use a phone or walk over to the neighbours in case he needs help is a bit of an issue as far as I'm concerned.
So either he can do those things, or he's being treated like a baby.

This is a very neurotic thing to say. Yes, bad things happen. They also tend happen very rarely. A meteorite might drop on your head tomorrow as you walk to work - that's not a reason to stay indoors for the rest of your life.

he may well have done it to scare OP into not leaving his son with him again in order that he can get out of looking after him

No, far too young.

I live in a European country outside the UK and this is fairly normal here. Under 6s aren't left alone but it's generally seen as fine for 7-8 year olds to be left alone for 15-30 mins at a time. A few kids in my daughter's class were latchkey kids from 8 or 9. My kids used to walk home from school together when they were 7 and 9 and would sometimes be alone for about 30 mins before I or DH got home.
I think it's OTT to say it's always very dangerous. It depends on the child. If they are impulsive, immature and they have no way of contacting the parent, it's a bad idea. If they are relatively sensible, have access to a phone, know not to open the door to strangers or light a fire, it's probably fine.
OP knows best what her DS is like, of course - but I work with children and many adults would be surprised at the level of responsibility and capability a small child can have if you put a bit of faith in them.

He needs to know how to respond to a fire as one could break out in your home at night or when he is round a friend’s house.
You said in the OP that his dad should force him to come to the shops, but it isn’t clear why he would have to force him if he is scared to be alone.

I'll never forget fumbling with a key to unlock a door while a fire took hold behind me. I was an adult, shaking so much I could hardly hold the key. I had to physically stop, breathe and think carefully how to unlock a door. So no, this isn't safe.

The report to SS and police are OTT, I’d speak to his dad and say that this isn’t to happen and thankfully it was you and not a teacher he mentioned it to.
Also, I’d be teaching a 7 yr old to use a key, essential skill, if you took ill he might need to open a door to get help or let someone in.

The report to SS and police are OTT, I’d speak to his dad and say that this isn’t to happen and thankfully it was you and not a teacher he mentioned it to.
Also, I’d be teaching a 7 yr old to use a key, essential skill, if you took ill he might need to open a door to get help or let someone in.

The report to SS and police are OTT, I’d speak to his dad and say that this isn’t to happen and thankfully it was you and not a teacher he mentioned it to.
Also, I’d be teaching a 7 yr old to use a key, essential skill, if you took ill he might need to open a door to get help or let someone in.

Wow these replies are neurotic.. he's 7, not 3 or 4!. God knows what this generation of kids will be who can't breath by themselves!

Wow these replies are neurotic.. he's 7, not 3 or 4!. God knows what this generation of kids will be who can't breath by themselves!