Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Join the discussion and meet other Mumsnetters on our free online chat forum.

1 2

Join the discussion and meet other Mumsnetters on our free online chat forum.

Chat

about leaving 4 children home alone for about 30 mins?

45 replies

ZingWidge · 31/07/2013 16:55

they are our sons aged 12, 10, 8 and 6.

we want to look at a house (2 mins drive away) and will take 2 younger ones with us, but I don't want to take older ones for one simple reason: I don't want them to know just yet.

in fact I don't want anyone to know and I know from experience that the boys would not be able to keep it a secret, because they would be too excited.
the last time we all went they told their grandparents and some of their friends and word spread and we had to have endless conversations with friends and family about possibly moving - all of that was utterly unnecessary, boring and a waste of time. I just don't want the extra stress.

Anyway, I can trust them on their own and they know how to use a phone. we'll be literally 2 mins away. my feeling is that they would be ok, but I'm just not sure if I should do this or not.

what would you do? would you leave them under those circumstances or not?

thanks

(sorry, I don't need other suggestions, I don't want to involve anyone else - if I asked anyone to look after them I'd have to say why.)

OP posts:

Thanks

Share

Report

mummyddoll · 31/07/2013 20:57

Hi didn't wanna read & run personally I wouldn't leave them,if anything at all happened I would never forgive myself,but that's me if you feel they would 100% behave sit quietly not answer the door or phones & if anything happened you are happy to deal with the consequences then theirs your answer hope all works out & you get your new home

Thanks

talkingnonsense · 31/07/2013 20:59

12 and 10? Fgs leave them- surely the eldest is at secondary school? If they can get a bus to school they can be left at home for an hour! ( assuming no sn, but you didn't mention any!)

Thanks

Parietal · 31/07/2013 21:00

If they are happy to be home alone & know what to do in a crisis, I think it would be fine.

Not sure how you can show something to your 6yr old & keep it secret from your 12yr old though.

Thanks

sarararararah · 31/07/2013 21:01

I would. They should be fine at that age, with firm instructions not to move!

Thanks

CaptainSweatPants · 31/07/2013 21:02

I would leave the 12 & 10 year olds
But not all 4 of them

Thanks

CaptainSweatPants · 31/07/2013 21:03

Your thread title says leave all 4 at home though so did you change your mind whilst writing the op?

Thanks

Billy310 · 31/07/2013 21:04

I know someone who leaves hers (a bit younger than yours) with 3 rules: don't answer the door, do answer the phone, and stay out of the kitchen. She says it pretty much covers everything!

Thanks

josiejay · 31/07/2013 21:06

Surely the 8 and 6 year old will tell where they've been though?

Thanks

mercibucket · 31/07/2013 21:07

id be fine about it, but not all 4 in case they caused mayhem

Thanks

TheYoniWayIsUp · 31/07/2013 21:09

I'm assuming that the OP has 6 children, and is taking the tiny ones. I'd do it OP, I think, if you are close by.

If it is just the 12 and 10 year old I'd do it without a 2nd thought.

Thanks

kinkyfuckery · 31/07/2013 21:11

I wouldn't do it myself, but my kids are younger. I don't imagine I'd feel 100% comfortable doing it at those ages, but I have friends with kids that age who would/have done.

You need to make up your mind how many kids you're leaving though

Thanks

ChippingInHopHopHop · 31/07/2013 21:11

No way and I'm usually the one saying 'Oh of course you bloody can', so if I'm saying 'No way' it's a pretty sure thing it's a mad idea

I would hire a babysitter through an agency - no need to say why then.

Thanks

ChippingInHopHopHop · 31/07/2013 21:12

She has - she has 6 children.

Thanks

BoundandRebound · 31/07/2013 21:17

12 and 10? I don't understand why you wouldn't leave them alone for half hour

Thanks

BoundandRebound · 31/07/2013 21:18

Oh I see you have the 8 and 6 year old too

Send them on play date

Thanks

ZingWidge · 31/07/2013 22:02

thanks for replies - just to clarify we do have 6 kids so yes, we'd be taking the 2 youngest (who are 3 and 1).

I wouldn't worry about leaving the oldest 2 (12 & 10l) at home alone, but leaving all 4 oldest together, I wasn't sure.

sorry if it wasn't clear.

OP posts:

Thanks

ZingWidge · 31/07/2013 22:08

*(12 & 10)

not 10l - I don't know what that would be.

OP posts:

Thanks

Bowlersarm · 31/07/2013 22:11

Why doesn't one of you look at the house? If it's any good then the other one can look separately. No need to leave the children at all then.

Thanks

Wiifitmama · 31/07/2013 22:15

I leave my 12, 9 and 5 year old for 30 minutes at a time quite regularly. The only difference is I dnt have a car so walk wherever I am going. I would not get on the tube in case I got stuck. With a car, I assume the risk is minimal.

Thanks

QOD · 31/07/2013 22:19

I'm very disappointed in you, 12, 10, 8, 6 and then 3 and 1? Ridiculous! You ruined the pattern

Thanks

Bowlersarm · 31/07/2013 22:20

.....but they might become 4 and 2 before the others have their birthdays?

Thanks

exoticfruits · 31/07/2013 22:22

If you are 2 minutes away with a mobile phone then I would do it.

Thanks

ZingWidge · 31/07/2013 22:22

quod not if we have 2 more...

OP posts:

Thanks

GW297 · 31/07/2013 22:49

I wouldn't leave them. You wouldn't need to tell a babysitter where you were going - just say you have an appointment and leave it at that if necessary. I looked after my friend!s children while she accompanied her husband to hospital appointments and was happy to help her out even though I didn't know what was going on until much later.

Thanks

BrianTheMole · 31/07/2013 23:02

12 and 10 yr old, yes. 8 yr old, probably not for that long. 6 year old, absolutely not.

Thanks

Flip

1 2

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.