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Original poster

Leaving kids for 5 minute late night walk?

212 replies

OneOliveOtter · 26/06/2026 23:22

Husband and wife went out for a quick walk an hour ago whilst kids were sleeping (3 and 5). Gone for just over five minutes. Unreasonable or not?

OP posts:
HelpSendMoreMuesli · 27/06/2026 00:00

How do you know they are alone?

ThatSourGobstopper · 27/06/2026 00:00

OneOliveOtter · 26/06/2026 23:22

Husband and wife went out for a quick walk an hour ago whilst kids were sleeping (3 and 5). Gone for just over five minutes. Unreasonable or not?

Gone for just over five minutes
That could be all it takes to change lives forever. The children are aged 3 & 5 FFS!

Delphiniumandlupins · 26/06/2026 23:59

If I had a monitoring app on my phone and could constantly check the kids were asleep (and speak to them) then possibly. But not if two parents were available.

Namechangeforthisdilemma1 · 26/06/2026 23:57

If it’s true then it’s awful

But I’m not sure how you know for sure they didn’t have someone else there?

ThatSourGobstopper · 26/06/2026 23:56

Blueradiators · 26/06/2026 23:25

I'm a post-Madeline world, very unreasonable.

This was the first thought that came to my mind. Madeline McCann! 😞
Definitely unreasonable!

Morepositivemum · 26/06/2026 23:55

How do you know they don’t have a relative in the house with the kids?!

DressOrSkirt · 26/06/2026 23:55

LiuBei · 26/06/2026 23:51

It seems unwise to base your decisions on extremely rare, negative outcomes.

I wouldn't avoid all doctors because I've heard of Harold Shipman.

Show quote history

But you need a doctor when you're unwell. You don't need to both go for a walk at the same time when there are children asleep alone. One risk is worth taking and the other is not.

However I don't think you actually know they were left alone @OneOliveOtter ?

Anyahyacinth · 26/06/2026 23:53

AutumnAllTheWay · 26/06/2026 23:49

I think you sound like youre poking your nose into your neighbours lives.

Taking a dog for a 5 min walk while your small children are asleep at night is far from ideal, but if theyre good parents in every other way, then its none of your business. That's 2 minutes one way, 2 mins back (assuming a minute exaggeration to prove your point). Theyd hardly be out of earshot would they?

Also, how do you know they don't have a grandparent round? Or how long they were gone for? Are you sat watching their house?

Then there is a fire and you knew the children were being left alone, or one falls out of the window as OP has explained??

Stompythedinosaur · 26/06/2026 23:53

I would say that's neglectful. You can't just leave young dc unsupervised.

LiuBei · 26/06/2026 23:51

Pinkflamingo10 · 26/06/2026 23:31

Have these fools never heard of Madeleine McCann?!!

It seems unwise to base your decisions on extremely rare, negative outcomes.

I wouldn't avoid all doctors because I've heard of Harold Shipman.

AutumnAllTheWay · 26/06/2026 23:49

I think you sound like youre poking your nose into your neighbours lives.

Taking a dog for a 5 min walk while your small children are asleep at night is far from ideal, but if theyre good parents in every other way, then its none of your business. That's 2 minutes one way, 2 mins back (assuming a minute exaggeration to prove your point). Theyd hardly be out of earshot would they?

Also, how do you know they don't have a grandparent round? Or how long they were gone for? Are you sat watching their house?

Createausername1970 · 26/06/2026 23:44

I wouldn't have done it.

As some have pointed out, if you are a single parent then some situations arise that are unavoidable and the chances of anything actually happening in those few minutes is remote. But things do go wrong unexpectedly even when parents are present, so remote doesn't mean never

MummyChocolateMonster · 26/06/2026 23:41

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
OneOliveOtter · 26/06/2026 23:41

Yes, I don’t know them very well though. They live down the bottom of the cul de sac. I was out sorting out my roses (battered in this heat!). Only know them to say hello to or nod really.

OP posts:
TY78910 · 26/06/2026 23:40

OneOliveOtter · 26/06/2026 23:39

Huge garden so they didn’t need to take it out if it needed a wee etc. The children’s windows are open (it’s still very hot here!) not on latches and I was worried about what would happen if they woke if they fell out. One of the children has sat on the window sill previously with the window wide open.

are you a neighbour?

Original poster
OneOliveOtter · 26/06/2026 23:39

Huge garden so they didn’t need to take it out if it needed a wee etc. The children’s windows are open (it’s still very hot here!) not on latches and I was worried about what would happen if they woke if they fell out. One of the children has sat on the window sill previously with the window wide open.

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 26/06/2026 23:39

Utterly unreasonable!

One or other of you could have walked the dog. Or each taken it for a 5 min walk in turns.

It’s even worse when there were two of you and so absolutely no need to leave the children.

TheRealMagic · 26/06/2026 23:38

OneOliveOtter · 26/06/2026 23:32

It was to walk an animal. That had been walked already twice today. I wondered if I was being overly pearl clutchy in finding it a bit worrying…

But why did they both go?

If one parent was home alone then I think taking the dog to the end of the road for a wee isn't ideal and I wouldn't do it - if I had to (e.g. if I lived in a flat) I'd take the dog to the front of the property but no further - but I can understand it. I can't understand why if there were two adults both went out, leaving the kids alone.

AmyFl · 26/06/2026 23:37

It's fine I used to do this a lot - had to pop to the shop when I was a single mum to multiple young children. All grown adults now all fine.

TY78910 · 26/06/2026 23:37

PurpleLovecats · 26/06/2026 23:34

No that’s not ok. Only one needed to go in this instance.

Yes this!! 👏 wtf why does it take two people to walk a dog? Not sure what other animal needs walking

maybeyouvebeenbrainwashed2 · 26/06/2026 23:35

Name change as votes suggest I’ll be set aflame: when my kids were 1 and 3, OH and I had an sig change in circumstances. We also had a dog. Twice a day, when the kids were safe, I would take the dog for a 5 min walk to relieve herself (not a ‘walk’ - I did this with the kids/we had a dog walker because I also worked, but it was me, 2 kids, and a dog for most of the time so what could I do. Circumstances change). They are now quite safe and well. Check the risks, but I’m sure all will be well.

PurpleLovecats · 26/06/2026 23:34

No that’s not ok. Only one needed to go in this instance.

Original poster
OneOliveOtter · 26/06/2026 23:32

It was to walk an animal. That had been walked already twice today. I wondered if I was being overly pearl clutchy in finding it a bit worrying…

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 26/06/2026 23:32

Agree with PPs, why bother with such a short walk?

declutteredliving · 26/06/2026 23:31

Ofcourse that’s not okay.