I was talking with a (relatively new) friend of mine last night when the subject of her son came up. She's a single mum who works odd hours, her son is 9 years old and suffers with ADHD. He has 1-on-1 help at the school he attends but the school have been complaining about his behaviour to her. Apparently he skips school some days, spits at the children and teachers, lies, steals etc..... and they're finding it hard to deal with him.
I was sympathetic to this point until she mentioned in the conversation he is home alone in the mornings for 2 hours (single mum goes to work) and has to get up himself, feed and dress himself and get himself to school. 
I didnt really know what to say!!!
Its not quite so simple though as we live in the Netherlands and here it is "normal" practice to leave kids alone if they're asleep in bed and you need to pop out all they do is take the baby monitor round the neighbours house. They also appear to leave kids earlier at home I think, although I'm not sure on the laws here. Anyway, I know it's normal but I certainly dont agree with it especially given his ADHD and behaviour problems!!
Now I'm at a loss for what to do, as an ex-copper in the uk I would certainly have been concerned enough to take some action although it's hard as I'm friends with her and she's struggling to cope with him and the situation.
Does anyone have experience with the Dutch culture of leaving kids home alone at this age?? Or any suggestions at all of what you would do????