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Original poster

Would you leave a 12 year old and a 10 year old at home for a couple of hours by themselves?

34 replies

Theromanempire · 17/02/2019 16:03

Just checking the consensus on this - we currently leave them for an hour whilst we do the food shopping but for some reason, 2 hours seems different Confused

I need to go to town for an appointment tomorrow morning (unavoidably moved from last week) and I don't really want to take DC2 with me. DC1 is generally sensible, I would make sure I could contact them at any point and ring them at least once and in reality, chances are they would just both play on their Xboxes and not even communicate with each other whilst I am gone!

Would you do it?

OP posts:
Birdie6 · 17/02/2019 16:05

Yes, sure. I've done it for longer than that .

MrsKCastle · 17/02/2019 16:05

We have left DD1 for similar lengths of time, and she is 10. As long as they're sensible and know not to open the door etc I don't see a problem.

Bouchie · 17/02/2019 16:07

Yes. just run through a few what if scenarios with them both. We leave ours often on their own. the only time thwre was an emergency (burst pipe) they got a bucket, ran to the handy neighbour who turned off the stopcock then rang us. Pretty much 2hat I would have done (Though I know where the stopcock is!).

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NotANotMan · 17/02/2019 16:08

Yep I would

Original poster
Theromanempire · 17/02/2019 16:09

Thanks - I'd leave the 12yo without hesitation as they are at home after school for a couple of hours every day. I guess it is adding in the responsibility for the younger one that makes me nervous.

OP posts:
Ribbonsonabox · 17/02/2019 16:21

Yes of course.

Dumplingfan · 17/02/2019 16:25

Yes, mine are left for hours at a time if nec. Same age.

caughtinanet · 17/02/2019 16:25

Absolutely, I'd leave the 10 year old by themselves and have done, single parents can't always be with all their children.

Billben · 17/02/2019 16:25

Yes. Got two DD’s the same exact age.

youbethemummylion · 17/02/2019 16:25

Yes I do this with my 11 and 8 year old on occasion. They both have phones, they lock the door behind me and they know not to answer it to anyone. They know to ring 999 in an emergency and if they have to leave the house i.e for a fire to leave the pets behind.

AuditAngel · 17/02/2019 16:26

I leave the 11 and 8 year olds for about an hour or so, the 11 I would leave longer, but she isn’t keen being alone for long when it’s dark.

Rubusfruticosus · 17/02/2019 16:27

Yes, but the 10 year old should be responsible for themselves.

ImNotYourToy · 17/02/2019 16:39

They'll be fine I'm sure. I was left at home on my own at 11 as my parent had to go work.

Yabbers · 17/02/2019 17:00

I'm really surprised at how young these children are being left alone.

Not judging or anything, I genuinely thought that at primary age, kids weren't generally left alone for long periods of time.

I popped out for a takeaway and left DD9 (nearly 10) for ten minutes and it seemed like a huge deal to me! She's really sensible and wouldn't do anything stupid but it seemed a long time.

Seems I need to reset my expectations 😀

Original poster
Theromanempire · 17/02/2019 17:28

yabbers I'm with you and have only just started leaving the 10yo by himself for 10 minutes whilst i drop the 12yo at school in the mornings.

But I know I am on the cautious side Wink

OP posts:
JE17 · 17/02/2019 17:33

Yes definitely. My sensible 10yo loves to be stay at home in front of the tv rather than come to the supermarket - I can't blame her.

Rubusfruticosus · 17/02/2019 18:55

Not judging or anything, I genuinely thought that at primary age, kids weren't generally left alone for long periods of time. I wouldn't call under two hours a long period of time. At secondary age a child usually has to get themselves to and from school and may have to be home alone for two or more hours after school. Then there is 13 weeks of school holidays so many children would be spending at least some of those days home alone. An hour or two at upper primary age is sensible preparation for that.

Nnnnnineteen · 17/02/2019 18:59

I only have 1, but at 10 I left her alone for while inset days, so probably 8-5.

NotANotMan · 17/02/2019 19:16

at 10 I left her alone for while inset days, so probably 8-5

Ok I'm slack as they come and have been leaving mine since he was 8 but all day? That's shit. How absolutely boring for him. Take a day off or send him to a friend. Poor kiddo.

Ellapaella · 17/02/2019 19:21

Yes I would and have

Original poster
Theromanempire · 17/02/2019 19:46

A full day at 10yo Shock I'm struggling with leaving my 12yo for a full working day (managed to avoid it so far but will need to for a couple of days in May half term) Blush

OP posts:
Novelsic · 17/02/2019 19:50

Gosh the average 10 or 12 year old is likely safer to leave than many elderly people living alone!

AndItStillSaidFourOfTwo · 17/02/2019 20:10

Yes, fine IMO.

On the (slightly OT) subject of longer periods of time, mine are 13 and 11 and I've been leaving them since 10 and 8, but it's only got more than an hour-ish over the last year or so, I think. I still wouldn't be keen on the idea of a full day (the 13yo fine, the 11yo or the two together I wouldn't be so happy with, though they would be absolutely fine, I'm sure).

NWQM · 17/02/2019 20:15

I can’t see me leaving my two at that age..: especially not together. My nearly ten year old is adorable but...

BertrandRussell · 17/02/2019 20:16

If they are happy with it, yes.