13 and 8 year olds home alone

[elliollie]

Would you leave your (sensible) just turned 13 year old with your just turned 8 year old in the house alone at night for half an hour to go and pick their brother (16) up from work?

Yes

Yes

How late? I leave a 14 year old and 9 year old for up to an hour but not late at night. As long as they are sensible and know what to do in an emergency then I think its fine. My 9 yr old didn't actually think about calling 999 in an emergency until we'd talked it through.

Yes, as a single mum I’ve had to make these hard calls. It’s more trouble and probably statistically more likely something bad would happen if you take them out with you. As long as they both know to stay put and not do anything daft like they’ll be fine.

My biggest worry is going out, getting into an accident and nobody knowing where I am, so the fact you’re collecting DS and he’ll know where you are, you’re fine.

Yes. I would.

It may be as late as 11pm. We also have good neighbours who would be around in an emergency. The longest I've left them so far is 10 minutes while I go to the local shop and that's usually daytime. It didn't come up when ds1 was 13 because I wouldn't have trusted him with ds3 who was only just 6 at the time. Now he's a bit older, I think ds2 would be ok with him.

Yes

Of course!

Yes if the kids are ok with it

So would they both be asleep? Not sure I'd be so happy with that. What if one of them was ill, or the 8 yr old woke up scared, or if anything happened to you? I don't think I would under those circumstances.

Yes would and have at similar ages.

Yup. Not an issue unless either is unpredictable and/or prone to pyromania.

If they're likely to be asleep make sure they know before obv, and leave a phone etc.

May well be fine, but think on these -
Do they have and would they use the phone number of a responsible, pre-warned neighbour?

Dire emergencies can be dealt with by calling 999, but there's lots of stuff that's below that threshold, but needs adult experience: dramatic water leak, small burn, dodgy stranger at door.

Good opportunity to do lots of ' what ifs ' : what if there's a fire ?what if your sibling falls downstairs and feels dizzy? What if there's a power cut? Not scaremongering - knowing what to do is empowering. The answers you get will probably tell you if they are likely to cope.

No, not that late as they would be asleep.

In the daytime if the older was happy and being paid/having a treat as it's not their responsibility to parent the younger ones.

Would have said yes but 11pm no!

No I wouldn't but I don't think it's particularly awful if you did.

If they're used to being left alone I would.

Yes.

Still yes. I would tell them in advance though in case they woke up.
While I was gone, I wouldn't leave a tumble dryer or washing machine, on, or a candle or fire burning.. just basic sensible stuff really.

Thanks all. Food for thought.

No problem

Definitely!