Would you leave them?

[Christmasants]

Would you leave an asleep 5 & 15 year old for 20 minutes max at 5am? I feel uneasy about it so haven't incase my youngest woke up and got upset. We only have one car and if we did this I could take DH to work and then have the car for the day when I needed it.

If the 15 year old knew what was happening and was happy being left with the five month old then yes.

If the 15 year old wasn't aware they were being left alone, and therefore responsible for, the 5 month old then no

Yes assuming 15 year old is sensible and is aware of what you're doing.

I don't know why I read that as 5 month old instead of 5 year old. But my answer remains the same

@sparklefarts

If the 15 year old knew what was happening and was happy being left with the five month old then yes.

If the 15 year old wasn't aware they were being left alone, and therefore responsible for, the 5 month old then no

^this... maybe. If they could be trusted. What about a taxi? If it’s a 20 min journey total, then it’s only a ten minute ride to work or could it be walked?

@formerbabe

Yes assuming 15 year old is sensible and is aware of what you're doing.

Yep, would be OK with this.

I absolutely would as long as I made my 15 year old aware

There's no taxis at that time around here. I worry that my 5 year old would wake up in a panic and the 15 year old wouldn't wake up.

yep. no problemo.

Could they sleep in the same room on those nights, or would it be every night?

It's not safe to walk in day light let alone in the dark, there's no pavements for a big stretch of it.

@Christmasants

Would you leave an asleep 5 & 15 year old for 20 minutes max at 5am? I feel uneasy about it so haven't incase my youngest woke up and got upset. We only have one car and if we did this I could take DH to work and then have the car for the day when I needed it.

Absolutely.

But definitely tell them that's what you'll be doing.

I was baby sitting overnight at that age. 15 is plenty old enough.

@Christmasants

There's no taxis at that time around here. I worry that my 5 year old would wake up in a panic and the 15 year old wouldn't wake up.

Your 5 yo is old enough to go into her sisters room if she wakes up.

They're old enough.

It wouldn't be every night, maybe once a week so I could go food shopping.

Yes I would and I have, slightly different ages of 15, 10 and 7 but I trust my teenager implicitly and there has never been an issue - I just made sure she knew what was happening and had my mobile with me. Goes without saying to make sure front door is locked, and chances are they will never even realise you'd been out and come back!

Thanks for the advice I'm definitely going to try it after telling them both.

I would do this. I agree to tell the 5 year old as well as he 15 year old

Yes I would do this.

If the 15 year old knew beforehand that’s fine. We had emergency numbers (Nanna, reliable neighbour etc) stuck on the fridge just in case.

I definitely would.

Not sure I'd tell the 5 year old though.

I’d do this, no problem.

Yes

If they both knew and the teenager was awake I would. I don't think my nerves could take them both being asleep and something happening