How old to let DC come home after school to an empty house?

[chesterdraws1]

I'm pretty sure DS is too young but just interested in other people's opinions. DS is 9 (Yr5) and has just started walking too and from school with a couple of friends. It's a 500m walk with one road cross.

I work just around the corner and currently finish at 3pm so I am home when he gets home. My work often ask me if I can stay until 4 or 5, and if DS1(20) is around, i's not a problem. Anyway he's back off to uni next week so I'll have to decline the extra hours, which are really handy (finacially) TBH.

What age would you allow DC to have a key and come home to an empty house. Potentially for up to an hour and a half?

Oh and for further info. DS2 usually goes 'out' in the village for an hour or so after school - to friends' houses or to play over the park. There is an after school club that he used to go to but the majority of the kids are a lot younger and he got fed up with it.

TIA

Ds started this term he is 11

He loves it

I worry he will feel lonely but he doesn’t in anyway appear to and makes himself a sandwich and drink

In that case you're grand. DC can let himself in, have a snack bar and some juice, and watch a bit of TV until you get home.
Any problems, he has your number and he can call on a neighbour for real emergencies.

A.gree with FormerBabe

Dd has a key from year 6

www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/leaving-child-home-alone/
Link to questionnaire on NSPCC site.

I gave my ds a key a few months ago (he is 10). He is fine being in the house on his own for an hour or 2 - I just work round the corner aswell and his gran lives at the other end of our street so If there are any problems he just needs to phone.
He is under strict instructions to have no friends in when I’m not there

What do you mean by round the corner
Can you call him as he is walking home to say you are at work so he could come to you for the key and then go and let himself in. That way you will have seen him and his time home alone will have been made shorter by the journey.

My dd stayed at home for about an hour afterschool (after walking a very short walk home) when she was 10yo 3-4 times per week. . We had strict rules in place, and there were at least 4 homes nearby that I could either contact in an emergency or that she could run to if needed (like on the way home).

She had a mobile, but only used it long enough text me once she was home and inside. If I needed to contact her, I could use her mobile or the house phone (she screened calls through the answering machine).

I would never do this with my ds as he is not mature enough to do this. My dd definitely was. (this was years ago) I think there are a lot of variables involved, but highest on my list is child's maturity and being able to handle an emergency.

Mine were home alone for an hour and a half every school day from when they were 9 and 7. I was at work in the operating theatre of my local hospital 17 miles away, and couldn’t leave until my last patient was in recovery and conscious.
The DC were very mature and sensible, and knew which neighbour to contact in an emergency. They used to fix themselves a cold drink and snack and settle down with a book or the tv until I got home.
They’re pushing 30 now, and very confident graduate home owners. At uni they had to teach a lot of fellow students how to use a washing machine, cook, and wire a plug etc!

When they start high school for me.

If I was in the UK from the start of secondary school.
In my US state it is illegal before the age of 14!

DS1 was 11 (year7), DS2 doesn’t do it yet.