Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Original poster

Would you do this? Let DD come home when you're not there?

111 replies

Haypyrexic · 12/05/2020 10:40

DD is 8. DS has been offered a time slot for a therapy which is in a different town. It counts as a school lesson so would be compulsory for a year if I agree to it.

The therapy ends at half past and if he is out exactly on time we would just (barring any unforeseen problems like train barriers being down, DS being late out or needing the loo) be able to get the :46 bus, arriving at :50 in our town. Then a 5 minute walk home.

DD finishes school at quarter to, has a two minute walk home.

If we miss the bus, next would be at :20 and I would not be able to contact DD.

OP posts:

Scarletoharaseyebrows · 12/05/2020 10:42

I wouldn't at 8, no. Sorry. Hope you can find another way.

Glitterb · 12/05/2020 10:43

Erm no sorry, 8 is too young

You would need to sort someone to collect her

DartmoorChef · 12/05/2020 10:44

Is there a friend she can go to until you get home?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

8 year olds Families

Waxonwaxoff0 · 12/05/2020 10:49

Not a chance in hell at 8 years old. Secondary school yes, but 8 is far too young.

mum11970 · 12/05/2020 10:54

Nope. Not something would ever do.

GreyishDays · 12/05/2020 10:56

So if you miss the bus it’s 40 minutes home alone? How long if you don’t? Why can’t you contact her?
Just 8 or nearly nine?

But basically I think she’s too young. You’ll need to take her too.

Littlepoppet1 · 12/05/2020 11:00

I agree with others, much too young. You’ll need to find someone to collect her I’m afraid.

Original poster

Haypyrexic · 12/05/2020 11:00

Just 8. I can't take her too as I'd have to pull her out of two lessons.
I wouldn't be able to contact her as she has no phone!

My reaction was no way. But the person who suggested it is the teacher who knows DD, our situation (as I've turned down all the other time suggestions) so knows she would have to be home alone

OP posts:

GreyishDays · 12/05/2020 11:01

Yes, you’ll need to pull her out of two lessons.

Original poster

Haypyrexic · 12/05/2020 11:03

I can't pull her out of two lessons every week for an entire year. That's not fair on her education.

OP posts:

Juanmorebeer · 12/05/2020 11:05

Could she stay later at school that day instead? A club or after school care?

Khione · 12/05/2020 11:08

I would have done this with my daughter, she was ultra responsible. I wouldn't with my son - he was a dreamer.

I would, however, ensure that she had a mobile phone and we communicated by phone as soon as she got home - probably on some form of video call. I would also only do it if I could arrange with a neighbour that she could go there at any time if she wanted/needed to.

To me it depends on the maturity of your daughter, if she was happy with it and having back up in place if needed.

JKScot4 · 12/05/2020 11:08

She’d be in the house for max 10 minutes?
Could she wait at school for you?

AudacityOfHope · 12/05/2020 11:11

I'm not clear from your post - how long would she be home alone? If it's going to happen get her a phone with GPS - a Monqi from Tesco is a good start.

RedskyAtnight · 12/05/2020 11:12

Can't she just wait at school? Go home with a friend who live nearby?

onemorepringle · 12/05/2020 11:12

I don’t think you can rely on getting public transport easily either - capacity will be down etc.

HaddawayAndShite · 12/05/2020 11:15

After school club? Friend? Family? If not, then no. It’s incredibly irresponsible. What if the bus breaks down / traffic / accident etc? Yes these are unlikely but the 10/20 mins then turns into hours, if she has no phone how is she going to call someone for help? So so dangerous and worrying a teacher has suggested this.

NailsNeedDoing · 12/05/2020 11:15

No, 8 is too young. Put her in an after school activity, or after school childcare club, or get a childminder, or ask for a favour and see if another parent can wait with her for a short time. You have options.

silverstrawberry · 12/05/2020 11:17

No way I wouldn't even let my 12 year old as it's a job being a parent protecting your child is your responsibility

eleventy3isthemagicnumber · 12/05/2020 11:19

Some thoughts:

Can DD walk home with a friend?
What's to stop you getting her a basic phone? This is exactly what they're for
Will school allow it?
Is there an after school club she can go to?
Is there a local childminder who could do the pickup?

eleventy3isthemagicnumber · 12/05/2020 11:21

How old is DS?

I'm.assuming your normal set up is DS walks DD home?

Are they then home alone? How long for?

Chiyo666 · 12/05/2020 11:21

I would. I’d get her a phone too.

eleventy3isthemagicnumber · 12/05/2020 11:23

Hang on, are you suggesting that you travel with DS who is older, leaving younger DD to go home on her own?

How old is DS? Can he do that journey by himself perhaps?

Or can you pick up DD then pick.him up?

RedskyAtnight · 12/05/2020 11:27

No way I wouldn't even let my 12 year old

Um, why not? A 12 year old should be able to take themselves home from school and be on their own for a short time. Not relevant at the moment, of course, but you might want to reconsider the amount of freedom you give your child.

Ohlordysugarandspice · 12/05/2020 11:33

No, absolutely not ok. What if there was a big bus delay: bus breakdown, road accident, traffic jam etc?

Flip

1 2 3 4 5