How long would you leave a 13yo DS at home on their own for?

[crummyusername]

DH and I are in disagreement about this. I won't say what he thinks and what I think, so as not to bias it... but it would be v useful to get some outside views... and especially any links to information on this (I know what the govt guidance is, which is fairly vague).

Once they're at secondary school, and definitely year 8 upwards (unless any specific reasons) they are fine to be left for the day e.g. if I have to work and DD has a day off school, I would leave her with regular call/text check ins. The only time I wouldn't was if she actively vomiting or something. Also a few hours in the evening too but not overnight yet.

This is the advantage of them being this age - you don't have to get babysitters for everything!

@Thornrose

DivorcedAndDelighted

They do say this
"There's no legal age a child can be left home alone, but it’s against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk1.Every child matures differently, so it would be almost impossible to have a "one size fits all" law."

Yes, I'm glad they do say that earlier, but then we get the blanket statement that : You shouldn’t leave a child under 16 alone overnight. They should make it clear that this is just their recommendation, not law, eg, "We recommend you don't.......". Many people are confused about the legal authority of NSPCC advice.