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Original poster

At what age would you leave 2 children at home for a full day rather than use holiday childcare?

111 replies

Theromanempire · 19/02/2020 07:56

As the title says...2 siblings, what age would you feel happy leaving them together for a full working day?

OP posts:
SquashedFlyBiscuit · 19/02/2020 07:58

From one thread about patenting teens it appears parents are doing stuff with them all the time in the holidays...

Following though as Im hopinv to leave mine at some point. I assume holiday clubs are harder to find once secondary age unless you sign up for an expensive weeks drama/sailing course type thing.

SquashedFlyBiscuit · 19/02/2020 07:59

It depends on age difference too can you sya that?

As id leave a younger one with a 19 year old but not with a sibling 2 years older..

ILiveInSalemsLot · 19/02/2020 08:00

I would have left my 13 and 11 year old. They’re fairly sensible and would have followed my rules of not spending the whole day on the Xbox.
I would have made sure there were things for sandwiches, lunches and snacks that they didn’t have to cook.

Bluedogyellowcat · 19/02/2020 08:00

I’ve left mine today they’re 17, 13 and 10. Wouldn’t leave the 13 and 10 year old. I think I would want youngest to be year 8 before leaving with an under 16

ifeellikeanidiot · 19/02/2020 08:00

Depends on the kids, their relationship, how long the day was and how far away the nearest parent would be. Also, different ad a one-off day to a whole fortnight.

My two are 10 and 11, sensible and get on. I work a 10min drive away. I would leave mine for a 8-5 day as a one off.

Original poster
Theromanempire · 19/02/2020 08:01

I deliberately haven't put the ages as I want to get general opinions Grin

There is a 2.5 year age gap.

squashed yes, holiday clubs are nigh on impossible for high school aged children Sad

OP posts:
SeeUNextTuesday · 19/02/2020 08:01

Mine are 14 and 13 and will be left for the next two full days as my and my H both at work

PianoTuner567 · 19/02/2020 08:02

I think the youngest would have to be at least 11

ILiveInSalemsLot · 19/02/2020 08:03

I would’ve left mine at 11 and 9.

CherryPavlova · 19/02/2020 08:03

Two together for the odd day? Around fourteen or fifteen but only for the very odd day.
Regularly not until they were over sixteen for extended periods or overnight.

adaline · 19/02/2020 08:05

I was an only child and left all day from the age of 12.

For two together I'd say the youngest would have to be 13 or so but I would leave the younger one alone if necessary.

Fairylea · 19/02/2020 08:07

I wouldn’t have felt comfortable leaving my dd until she was about 15. And even then not for a whole weeks worth of full days. I think a day or two a week is okay, any more than that I’d feel bad- more from a lonely / isolated point of view. I think 11 / 12 is too young personally.

Trahira · 19/02/2020 08:08

Mine are 10, 12 and 14. I would leave them home alone for a few hours but not a whole day. If it was just the older two and not the 10yo, I still don't think I'd leave them for the whole day (8am to 6pm or whatever) yet.

So I think maybe 13 and 15?

SquashedFlyBiscuit · 19/02/2020 08:09

Mine are 11 and 9 and certainly wouldnt leave the 11 year old basically in charge if the 9 year old for more than 30mins (mine dont even manage that really.)

We have a similar gap. I dont think I could easily leave 11 and 13 for regualr periods . Im really not quite sure what I will do ..

Trahira · 19/02/2020 08:12

As a pp says it does depend on how far away you are. It takes me 40 mins to get home from work.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 19/02/2020 08:13

Over 11 and leaving for the day would depend on how far away you are.

I’d also not do it if expecting to older one to be responsible for the sibling as that’s unfair.

thismeansnothing · 19/02/2020 08:14

I'd say when the youngest is in high school

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 19/02/2020 08:15

I think once the youngest is 12 it would be OK. Would depend how well they got along though, my kids can't seem to be left alone in the same room for 2 minutes, and there's a 5 year gap!

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 19/02/2020 08:17

I would also want there to be someone they could go to in an emergency if I couldn't get home. My mum lives 2 mins away, my dad lives in the next street, lots of my neighbours are home as they are elderly so plenty of people around if they need them.

THAT90sBITCH · 19/02/2020 08:19

Similar gap here and currently 12 and 10, i have left them for 3 hours max so far. They have been fine. I think i will build up to leaving them for longer. I am more concerned about when i go back to work and leaving them to get theirselves out of the house in the mornings to go to work!

DinosApple · 19/02/2020 08:20

Mine aren't there yet at 9 & 10. But I'd imagine if they were together 13,14. Separately earlier than that would be fine.

Mine fight lots currently (don't see that changing!) and eldest has SEN which means she gets distracted easily, so no cooking allowed.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 19/02/2020 08:21

Depends on how well they get on. Will the older be responsible for the younger or are they both independently able to manage themselves?

I'd leave a 13yp all day. But not whilst also being responsible for an 11/10 yo.

ColouringPencils · 19/02/2020 08:21

I am wondering this too... Already thinking ahead to the summer holidays when mine will be 13 and 10. It is already really hard to find anything the 13 year old can do in terms of holiday clubs. I think I might do it next year when they are 14 and 11. They are both sensible and don't fight too much.

Sunshine1239 · 19/02/2020 08:22

I left mine recently 12&14, struggled but not choice

Flaskfan · 19/02/2020 08:26

It has to be about 12 cos that's when holiday clubs stop. Not sure what I'll do when one is 10 and one 12. 10yr old will want to do what older one is doing.