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Original poster

Do you have young teens and work until 5pm every day?

12 replies

user1483390742 · 31/12/2018 16:23

I've been asked if i will increase my hours at work after Xmas. It would mean working until 5/5.30pm every day and getting home at 6.15pm. I have 3 teens (11, 13 and 15) who come home together after school and am wondering/ feeling a bit bad about them coming home every day (currently it is 3 days) to an empty house and expecting them to start cooking. Youngest has just started Y7 and still needs some support- his siblings did. I know they are not babies but i still kinda like being here sometimes, and i know they like it when i'm home for them.
What time do you get in? Do you expect your teens to start dinner? I'm conflicted!

OP posts:

Drinkthruastraw · 31/12/2018 17:58

I started full time a couple of months ago -leave work at 5.30 and get home around 6.45. 2 teens aged 16 and 14 who don't get home until 5 themselves so by the time they get in and do some homework DH is home (around 6ish). He does dinner. They're fine with it as I used to work really unsociable hours so they prefer me to be around in the evenings. I know what you mean about it being nice for them not to come back to an empty house though but I guess they're used to it for 3 days. Do you want to actually increase your hours? If you don't have you then keep it the same?

Mamia15 · 31/12/2018 18:14

6.15pm isn't that late - they will be busy doing their homework etc and could they eat at 7pm?

If not, make good use of the slow cooker and they could take in turns to cook something - even if its jacket potatoes or pasta.

merrybloominchristmas · 31/12/2018 18:15

if you have a choice and can afford not to then i wouldn't.

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Karmagoat · 31/12/2018 18:30

my dd is 12 and just started year 7, I don't get home till about 5.30 so she is on her own for a couple of hours. DH works from home on Mondays so it is only 4 days but It's not ideal. I wouldn't trust her with the dinner yet lol but she does tidy for me sometimes.

Nesssie · 31/12/2018 18:41

At about 13 years old I would start cooking dinner to be ready when everyone was home. Rule was whoever was home cooked and the others washed up.
I am now a very proficient cook.

JamieOliversChickenNugget · 31/12/2018 18:43

Don't unless you have to.
Kids similar ages though eldest has autism.
They need you there.
Although our mum worked that late and we were fine. But I knew she didn't want to. I have soooooo much respect for her, but don't do it unless you need to. 11 is very young.

Fishcakey · 31/12/2018 18:47

DS is home on his own until about 5.30 to 6pm. Whoever gets in first out of me and DH cooks dinner. DS will feed himself if hungry. He prefers me there in the mornings but is happy on his own after school. There are generally mates dropping in too. He is 13.

LokiDokiArtichoki · 31/12/2018 18:47

My 2 had lot let themselves in and we’re home til 6pm as soon as they started secondary school and the available childcare stopped.

They’re now 14 and 15 and could cook a 3 course meal if they desired to (I wish!)

As long as they know what to do and who to contact in an emergency I think it’s fine.

doxxed · 31/12/2018 18:48

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

RB68 · 31/12/2018 18:53

Its fine, hopefully the older two will look after the younger one a bit. I second use of slow cooker for e.g. you could do curry, a couple of times a week so its not a mad rush for anyone and just leave them a decent snack and then eat that bit later so you can all still eat together - its good to get them used to self reliance - maybe one night each for cooking keeping it simple for the younger one eg, baked potatoes with salad etc to start with but use weekends to train them up on other things

BeardedMum · 31/12/2018 19:04

Aren’t most children coming home and need to look after themselves at secondary? I think its good and teaches independence. My children are all decent cooks. They alternate making dinners and by the time I get home at 7 they have eaten and done some of the housework. Its a good leason for them to learn to pull their weight!

RubixCubix · 31/12/2018 19:12

It's fine, I do the same with my DC and have been since they were much younger than yours (ages 10 and 11 then). One night a week I have to work later (home around 8.30) and twice a week they make snacks before going back out to clubs, where I collect them from.

It's a needs must in our situation as I'm a lone parent with an ex who won't pay child support. DC have got great at cooking their own dinner (even save some for me to heat up on my late night) and managing their own time re homework, chores etc.

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