What would you think to a year 3 child, walking to and from school alone everyday, coming home to an empty home till about 5.30pm, and spending all the summer holidays at home alone

[Lardlizard]

Apart from the odd week or two the mum could take off work for holidays rest of the time the child is home alone

My son is in year 4. Nearly 9. I wouldn't leave him home alone whilst I nipped to the shops let alone what you describe. Terrible for their mental health apart from anything else.

I could've written your post. I was a typical 'latchkey kid' I have forgiven my parents though.

I was also a child of the 80s. Walking to and from school on your own was quite common and letting yourself in at 4 o’clock perhaps from 10 onwards but it certainly wasn’t normal for 7 year olds to do that every day far less for the whole holidays!

Bloody well wasn't normal in 70s/80s.

Was for some.

He won't be the first or youngest child doing this and he won't be the last.

English schools have no right to impose any restrictions on when a child walk home alone. We ask for written permission and that is all we can legally do. We can make suggestions only.

As a parent I find I cant predict what is going to upset my children or cause lasting damage. Some kids would be happy mooching around the house on their own for long periods from a young age, others not. I love my girls and they do go to kids club before and after school as we both work, will they be posting about me on years to come complaining I wasnt around enough mon -fri? Who knows? If I didn't work we wouldn't have 'nice' things would they be posting about how they would of preferred kids club and 'nice' things instead? I just dont know. However I am doing what feels best at this moment for us as a family.

I'm not trying to diminish something that has clearly impacted you however your mother my have weighed up the options and that was the best of a bad set. Have you spoken to her about this? Did she desperately need money to feed you and keep the house? Was there no other child care arrangements? They are all valid things to ask her which may help answer some of the question they are going around your head.

Similar age to my DD (year 4) depending on how close the school is and how many others they'd be walking with I would probably allow that although DD is very mature and the route is the same for the older kids here who are all lovely (they all get a school coach as it's too far so not really relevant anyway). I would definitely not be leaving her on her own all day! I'm only just considering leaving her in the house to pop to the shop and I don't think I'm overprotective

If anything, this thread confirms exactly that the definition of ‘normal’ means what is normal for one person does not make it normal for someone else.

There is no such thing as a generic normal.

Maybe we can ALL learn from this and open our minds.

Sounds awful and I was a '70's/80's child. I feel for you OP