How old…

[Soubriquet]

Before I start, I just want to say I know they are too young at the moment so I am not going to leave them at home

I have an 8 and a 6 year old. Birthdays in March so nearly 9 and 7.

I don’t drive and I start work at 4am, 4 days a week.

3 of those days, I have to get both dc up, bundle them into the car, and have them come with us to drop me off at work.

Obviously it’s easier with it being the holidays because they sleep in, but once they go back to school, tiredness is going to be a problem, but needs must at the moment

How old would you think a child would have to be before you would think about leaving them asleep at home for half an hour?

Not before 10 and 12, possibly older depending on the child. Perhaps you should learn to drive, current situation doesn't feel very fair on them or whoever is driving you, odd occasion fine but nut multiple times a week. Also, they are not nearly 7 and 9 if their birthdays are March, that's more than 6 months away.

I would have left mine at that age they are both very calm and responsible especially the older one.

But people round me have 16 year olds who don't even get left alone.

Learning to drive is on the plan but the money at the moment is tight so not entirely possible

Oldest would be 11/12 for me.

Hmm, I'm undecided TBH. In the situation you describe them they're hardly likely to even notice you've gone.

Are they sensible kids? Could you leave your eldest with a mobile in case of emergencies? Is there a neighbour who they could ring if there was one of the infamous "incidents" that MN is so fixated on?

It's true that your house could catch fire / fall down / disappear down a sink hole, but that's true of any other time of the day or night. I think given school starting again I would consider leaving them. I would however make sure they were absolutely clear what was happening, rather than have them wake up and find the house empty.

I am however a rather laid back parent

Yes the oldest is very sensible and would know what to do if anything happened but in my head I just think, it’s different knowing what to do, and then actually doing it in an emergency. Being slightly older would help reinforce it

10 & 12 but only if they're ok with it and aren't confused when they wake in the morning.

Is there not another solution? Different job, learn to drive, Uber, car share etc?

It’s 3.30 in the morning.

Definitely no car share or Uber. The job hours work for me as it means I’m home during the holidays. I finish at 8/9am, so someone is always home.

Secondary school was when I left mine.

This sounds hard work but you're being a good parent doing this so don't feel too bad, sometimes needs must

Thank you. I was thinking 10 and 12 so it’s nice to know that I’m on the mark there

Of course, fingers crossed, I should hopefully be driving within a year so hopefully by the time they reach 10 and 12, it won’t matter