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Original poster

Leaving 6-year-old home alone

110 replies

Tailfeather · 11/04/2023 20:22

Would you leave your sensible 6-year-old home alone for 10 minutes with strict instructions of watching tv and not eating or going into the kitchen?

OP posts:
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WandaWonder · 12/04/2023 01:14

No because no, but also it would take me just as long to go through the instructions than it would to take said child with me for those 10 minutes, if this is genuine

Youdoyoubabe · 12/04/2023 01:12

Yes, just to pop to shop or nursery pick up or to neighbour. Sure why not.

Mama05070704 · 12/04/2023 01:09

Absolutely not.

MrsRickAstley · 12/04/2023 00:42

I am aghast at the posters who won't leave a 10 year old alone for short periods of time though

@IForgotMyUsernameAgain maybe each child is different that's why ? I could leave my eldest at that age but my youngest absolutely no way.

MotherofBingo · 11/04/2023 22:59

My 7 year old can't open the door by herself (admittedly a heavy fire door with a higher latch than a PVC front door). There is no way in hell I'd leave her alone with no way out. I was locked in the house regularly as a child and it always makes me feel a bit sick knowing that I wouldn't have had a chance if there had been a fire or some other emergency, I couldn't risk it.

Louise295 · 11/04/2023 22:58

My daughter was 9 in December and we have just started leaving her alone for example if it's school holidays but we still need to drop our 3yo to nursery 10 mins away.
Would never leave them together alone.

SkankingWombat · 11/04/2023 22:40

It depends. Next door to pick up a parcel? (She likes a good chat) Yes, would and have. Outside to weed & mow etc? Yes, and for much longer than 10 minutes. In both cases DCs would know where to find me. Up the road in the car to the nearest corner shop? (I could just about manage that in 10 mins) Nope! Too many variables to go wrong.
I would leave my 8yo for 10 mins to run a car errand though. She's comfortable with it, and we need to build our nerves her independence in readiness for middle school and catching the bus there come September. I currently leave her getting ready for an extracurricular for 15-20mins each week whilst I walk DC2 to Beavers, before returning to drive her to her sport.

Soapyspuds · 11/04/2023 22:37

Not at 6 no.

Custardslices · 11/04/2023 22:36

I want to know where OP planning to go for ten minutes?

Easter holidays brings some strange posts to MN

Daffodilsandtuplips · 11/04/2023 22:33

Never.

Climbingthelaundrymountain · 11/04/2023 22:28

No. I wouldn't leave my sensible 9 year old home alone.

Skybluepinky · 11/04/2023 22:27

Of course not.

Inastatus · 11/04/2023 22:24

No

Daisydu · 11/04/2023 22:24

I’m one of the most laid back parents you will ever meet, I let my 9 year old stay home for up to an hour on his own, never been a problem. But I wouldn’t even leave a 6 year old. I’m trying to think of a way that I would feel ok about it and I can’t.

abmac95 · 11/04/2023 22:24

Songbird54321 · 11/04/2023 21:53

My daughter is almost ) and barely lets me leave her while I nip to the toilet so I doubt she'll be letting me leave her alone any time soon.
I did leave her in the car while I picked my prescription up the other day. I was gone for less than 2 minutes and could see her/the car from the window no more than 15 feet away and she still acted like I'd abandoned her for hours

You would get arrested here if you left a child in a car.

OP absolutely not, under no circumstances. As others have said if you are in the garden fine. Going to the shops no way!

Axahooxa · 11/04/2023 22:22

Yes- 10 minutes? I spend longer in the shower.

SleeplessWB · 11/04/2023 22:21

I left my nearly 8 year old for 10 minutes recently to walk to the end of the road and collect my other DD... I felt panicked the whole time and won't be doing it again any time soon even though she was absolutely fine and followed my instructions not to move off the sofa!

Zola1 · 11/04/2023 22:19

Absolutely no. If you're going somewhere for 10 min take the 6 year old or don't go.

Dracuuule · 11/04/2023 22:18

No!
I left mine at around 10 and 8 but 6 is too young.

IForgotMyUsernameAgain · 11/04/2023 22:16

6 - no way.

I am aghast at the posters who won't leave a 10 year old alone for short periods of time though. DS is 10.5 and he walks home alone from school which is half a mile away and I leave him to pop to the supermarket. I wouldn't drive to the next town or leave him alone in the evening but he's absolutely fine to be left for half an hour when we've run out of milk! It's good practice for them to get a little bit of independence, especially when secondary school is around the corner.

YouSoundLovely · 11/04/2023 22:14

6? No, absolutely not. 9 I think is OK to start leaving them for 15-20 min at a time. Possibly also during the last couple of months of being 8. But 6 is a world away from that.

And I never get the argument that a child is 'sensible'. Part of the condition of childhood is not always being sensible.

Blondeshavemorefun · 11/04/2023 22:12

Never

As it may not be 10m

Leaving alone in a house and you away from property is totally different from in the garden and you in the house

Figgygal · 11/04/2023 22:10

I wouldnt leave my 6yo even with his 10yo brother and I'm pretty relaxed at times

Stripeybluetop · 11/04/2023 22:09

Yes

MotherOfCrocodiles · 11/04/2023 22:03

How are people saying they "might" go in the garden. How have you not been out in the garden for 6 years without dragging your kid with you at all times?! Maybe you all have bigger gardens than me.

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