to leave ten year old twins in a cafe while I swim?

Because if a real risk or parents copying each other I wonder? Besides what's the difference from a Sept born 10 year old in year 5 or an August born year 6 at 10. My brother born 2nd September was 10 before starting year 5. I'd left year 6 and was still 10 ( 31st Aug)

My mum used to leave me in the library for 45 minutes while she did the food shop. From about age 10. The supermarket and library were at opposite sides of the carpark (Wilmslow, if anyone knows it!)

I say she left me, I used to ask to go so I could read all the Sweet Valley High books while she shopped! Also well before the days of moblies.

Swimming and a cafe feels slightly different but if your kids are responsible and well behaved it might be ok. Swimming seems riskier than shopping in Sainsburys but I guess you never know.

but they can text the op and she can get out of the water, I can't see there is much difference

even my cheap amazon watch can be used for swimming and receiving text message which ping in the water

Actually my older kids used to go swimming themselves at this age with lots of other kids their age at the local swimming pool.

I go for brunch regularly & walk past the high street coffee shops daily. I never see a load of 10 yr olds in them. I see groups of younger teens in Subway, Nando’s, Greg’s, McDs & older teens in cafes.

They will be absolutely fine. Mine were both walking to school, across a busy main road, by themselves or with friends at that age. They also played out.

Shocked at some of these responses. This is a generation of kids stuck inside, in the back garden or even worse, still having 'playdates' at 10 because their parents still see them as toddlers.

They will be fine for half an hour @justkeepswimminginalake mine would have enjoyed this.

I'm a single mum too, my DD is almost 13. I have only recently reached the point where i feel i can leave her to go swimming. However, i have signed her up for the same gym/ swimming pool with a junior membership. So we go together. Ten is just a bit too young to leave alone.

Tends to be Y6 round here in general.

This thread is mental. My 10 year olds walk home from their tutor. Not far but still, not a safe space like a cafe! What exactly do people think the staff would have to do?wipe their arses?

I would consider it if it was close to where I’d be

Presumably they are flush from all that chimney work 🙄

I think it’s fine . My 10 year old daughter walks to our local cafe (15 min walk ) with her friends at the weekend . They order a drink and some food , they sit and chat . It’s great for their independence

Illegal? 😂

Apparently on this thread, minors aren't allowed in a cafe alone 😂.... Anything is possible in the land of MN!

My children spend more then me in the local cafe

I actually think it would be fine.. around our way kids are expected to walk to and from school from year 5. That’s far more dangerous in my eyes than what you are proposing. As long as they really are sensible tbh if they’re plugged in they probably won’t move. The argument - what if you drown- is utterly ridiculous. That has no bearing at all on whether she leaves her kids to watch or not. The lake will be manned and if she were to drown that would be dealt with by the staff. I’d say go for it and maybe bribe them with a piece of cake afterwards if they behave maturely. Genuinely stunned by the attitude of some here. Enjoy your swim!

This thread is an eye opener for me. In our area, we have 3 tier education so kids move to middle school at 9. These 9 year olds get themselves to and from school through the town, using public transport etc.

2 kids sitting quietly in a cafe for 30 minutes is totally safe and normal. What on earth do you think is going to happen to them? The only minor risk would be if they wander off, or there’s an incident in the cafe that leads to evacuation. Provided they know what to do in those situations, there’s no problem at all.

The whole thing about parenting is gradually helping your children become more independent. This is a great opportunity for them to have a little bit, in a safe environment.

Enjoy your swim, OP!

They're not struggling because ten-year-old children aren't buying milkshakes.

Nonsense.

It really is very uncommon indeed after 5.

Provided your ten-year-olds have their heads screwed on I don't see a problem. Make sure they know what to do if something goes wrong, emphasise the need to behave and save the scene-making until you're on hand and just enjoy your swim.

Why can't you go swimming at a pool while they are at school?

High streets aren’t dying because of a lack of 10 year old customers! 😆😆

I have done the exact same with my children - enjoy your swim and let them enjoy their books and cakes.

‘Safeguarding’ is just a nonsense word by now - having worked in it for donkeys years, I can tell you what it isn’t - carte blanche for not taking a single risk with your kids. Risk assessment skills are really important - how likely is it something will happen and what is the impact. You do your risk assessment, check they’re ok, give them a plan, and have your swim.

As you say, you’ll be in mere minutes when the water drops below 10 deg. Keep in mind once you get out of the water at those temps you’ll be shivering and a bit blank of mind so warn the children beforehand. It’s good for them to see you facing this challenge and to have a bit of independence.

True 🤷‍♀️

Its just one of those things, I like to think they can come and get me if there is an issue

But - thats a me thing - i dont think that the op is a bad parent for knowing her 10 year olds can cope okay without her for 30 mins

So you never went to cafe for a milkshake at 10 or your children? No wonder our high street is dying off and local businesses struggle.