If you were in a hotel in a seaside town, would you allow a 13 year old and 7 year old to stay in the room

[Lardlizard]

On their tablets while you and your dh looked round the shops for an hour/an hour and a half ?

The 13 year old is sensible
Has a phone
They get on v well and both well behaved ?

So you wouldn’t be far away
And contactable by phone
And they understand if the fire alarm goes off to leave the building a d call us

The hotel is in the town centre so we wouldn’t be far away

[TeddyIsaHe]

Yes social services will DEFINITELY get involved because someone left their teenager and 7 year old in a hotel room for an hour.

Just... honestly 😂😂

[flowery]

If the 7 year old was older maybe. And I'd be much more likely to do it in a self-contained self-catering holiday cottage environment than a hotel. I'd also be more likely to if it were something vitally necessary, which wandering round the shops isn't.

[JayAlfredPrufrock]

Enjoy your shopping

[PlanDeRaccordement]

I wouldn’t myself. Maybe in a small B&B in home country, but not in large hotel in foreign country.

When the 13yr old is 16, yes

[ChittyChittyBoomBoom]

It’s raining and they sound like they’ve been very busy in the last few days so I probably would. That said, I think it depends on the area, what kind of hotel it is and more importantly the personalities of the children.

My 13yo has asd and my just turned 8yo has adhd so I wouldn’t yet. I’ve only just stared leaving them while I nip VERY quickly to the shops.

[FedUpAtHomeTroels]

I've done that with my oldest when he was 13, he had younger Ds who was 7 with him. They also went round the store together and met me in the restaurant when finished.

[BillThePony]

I would do it, they are safe in the hotel room and you obviously feel they are sensible enough. The chances of something happening are very low, I know some people don't like any risks at all but would not worry me, also Social Service will not come after you. We are busy enough so unless they get into the mini bar and start lobbing tv's out of the windows I think you are quite safe.

[TeenPlusTwenties]

Yes. They are sensible, get on, and occupied.

[cariadlet]

Definitely. I'm sure they would be much happier chilling in the hotel room rather than being dragged out in the rain. As they're sensible and want to stay, I can't see any reason to make them go out.

[Michaelbaubles]

Depends on the 7 year old but yes. My 6yo would be absolutely fine with a 13 year old attached to a screen for an hour or so. She’s regularly on her own in another room watching TV with no calamities or need of me, and it’s basically that but with someone else keeping an eye out. Make sure they know where the fire escape is and maybe leave a phone with them.

[GroundAlmonds]

Yes, if I knew the older would be good in an emergency and that the younger would follow instructions from the older one.

[Dillydallyingthrough]

Yes of course it's fine, they just want some downtime. They are safe in a hotel room, you've said the 13 yo is sensible so would call if they were worried. I'm really surprised by the OTT responses.

[OhCaptain]

Yeah, I would.

Walking around shops in the pissings of rain isn't fun for most adults, let alone kids!

And my kids can easily stare at a screen for an hour at a time so chances are they won't move from whatever spot you leave them in.

I'd leave a few snacks and/or bring back a yummy lunch or a hot chocolate and cake from a cafe.

[OhCaptain]

@Michaelbaubles

Depends on the 7 year old but yes. My 6yo would be absolutely fine with a 13 year old attached to a screen for an hour or so. She’s regularly on her own in another room watching TV with no calamities or need of me, and it’s basically that but with someone else keeping an eye out. Make sure they know where the fire escape is and maybe leave a phone with them.

She already said 13 year old has a phone!

[ivykaty44]

Yes

[Coldemort]

@toomuchtoworryabout

I would imagine this would violate the hotel’s health and safety policy and possibly invalidate their insurance.
Children (ie anyone under 18) are not usually allowed to stay in hotels unless an adult over 18 is present. I imagine this applies to the daytime as well as overnight.

Total rubbish.
Source: 20 year an insurance underwriter

[hopefulhalf]

I would imagine this would violate the hotel’s health and safety policy and possibly invalidate their insurance.
Children (ie anyone under 18) are not usually allowed to stay in hotels unless an adult over 18 is present. I imagine this applies to the daytime as well as overnight

Oh dear DH and I have had rather more rather than less leniency when staying in a hotel and have frequently left them usually to go for a drink rather than shopping to be fair. (aged15,12& 9 then 12&9 alone)

[Lardlizard]

Thanks for the replies and opinions
I wanted to let them stay and chill in the hotel and dh didn’t so we dragged them round with us
Makes me wonder when he will feel able to leave them as you have to start somewhere, as don’t want them to end up 18year old incapables

[Heyahun]

why do people always ask this

just do it or don't if you don't feel comfortable

people are so ott these days i stayed in hotels at 12 with my younger sister while my parents went out

I have a 14 year old step son - we leave him in our flat on his own all the time for a few hours - hotel wouldn't be any different

i was a babysitter at 13?

I duno

asking on here will always just get you heaps of omg im calling social services responses lol

[Lululatch]

@toomuchtoworryabout

I would imagine this would violate the hotel’s health and safety policy and possibly invalidate their insurance.
Children (ie anyone under 18) are not usually allowed to stay in hotels unless an adult over 18 is present. I imagine this applies to the daytime as well as overnight.

You definitely don’t need to have an over 18 staying in the same room. Many hotels don’t allow extra over 12s to be on the same room- although someone does need to be responsible.

OP if the 13 year old was happy I’d do this no problem

[TheQueensCousin]

Yes, get them to call you if there's an issue. I would think that this will be a good confidence booster for the 13yr old, being given responsibility 🙂

[LuckyAmy1986]

Yes I would, no issue.

[FourTeaFallOut]

No, I wouldn't.

[zigaziga]

I would have been fine at 13.

[OhToBeASeahorse]

It's a mix of sweet and worrying that people think SS would be interested in this