Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

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

Original poster

It's another kids home alone one!

28 replies

Megapint · 25/05/2022 15:57

I have a training course to attend tomorrow. Not going would really screw things up for me at work. Both my 15yr old & my 8yr old have a nasty sore throat & will both need to stay home. The plan would basically be them watching movies & sleeping. Eldest will make them lunch & he's happy to be left with his brother. I know they will be fine but I've having an attack of mum guilt. Wwyd?
(Dad not an option, he's working away.)

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 25/05/2022 15:58

How far away is the course and what hours?

SilverGlassHare · 25/05/2022 16:02

If the 15 year old has no SEN or similar, they can definitely look after an 8 year old all day.

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 25/05/2022 16:06

I was babysitting at 15. Assuming they're sensible and know what to do in an emergency, I would think it's fine.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

15 year olds 8 year olds Families General health
Original poster
Megapint · 25/05/2022 16:06

I will be about 1hr away 10 -6. No additional needs. 15yr old has babysat lots before no problems. I think it feels wierd because they are unwell.

OP posts:
SheWoreYellow · 25/05/2022 16:07

Assuming they get on ok, that seems fine.

motogirl · 25/05/2022 16:22

Of course that's fine - some 15 year olds have babies!

Sirzy · 25/05/2022 16:23

Personally I think if the 15 year old is poorly enough to be off school then it’s a bit unfair to expect them to also look after a poorly sibling.

Johnnysgirl · 25/05/2022 16:28

Ordinarily, it might be ok, but they're both ill? I wouldn't leave them, especially the 8 year old.

AgentProvocateur · 25/05/2022 16:30

Absolutely fine. They’ll just lie on the couch and watch movies probably.

Jjnbftgkhfrvjudv · 25/05/2022 16:33

Seems fine - like PP will probably just sit on the sofa and watch films all day. You could always arrange multiple times to call during the day and regular texting to check on them both.

KindergartenKop · 25/05/2022 16:33

It's fine. Maybe make them sandwiches and get them some nice bits for lunch to assuage your guilt!

nearlyspringyay · 25/05/2022 16:33

the 15 yo can look after an 8 yo surely. Do you really keep them off school for a sore throat?

Intrigueddotcom · 25/05/2022 16:33

It is ALL about how I’ll the 15 year old

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 25/05/2022 16:33

I think it's fine. Are they both unwell? If it's anything they can both take medication for (OTC) then just ensure they have enough of this and things like lunch etc and check in by phone during the day.

Intrigueddotcom · 25/05/2022 16:34

And his brother

Intrigueddotcom · 25/05/2022 16:34

nearlyspringyay · 25/05/2022 16:33

the 15 yo can look after an 8 yo surely. Do you really keep them off school for a sore throat?

Fact she is leads me to believe both boys really must be quite ill so unfair on the boys to leave them

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 25/05/2022 16:35

Nasty sore throat they could really go to school but if they really don't want to then a day home, watching movies etc with sandwiches or heating up soup (yes I know the horror!) or cup a soup and they should be absolutely fine.

Just give them strict instructions that if one feels sick for a while then the other should leave them to get some rest.

dumdumduuuummmmm · 25/05/2022 16:36

nearlyspringyay · 25/05/2022 16:33

the 15 yo can look after an 8 yo surely. Do you really keep them off school for a sore throat?

I'm assuming when the OP says 'nasty' sore throat then they mean just that. A really painful awful sore throat. And yes. Of course one should stay home from school if they are in bad pain. What sort of draconian parent would send them in?

Intrigueddotcom · 25/05/2022 16:37

nearlyspringyay · 25/05/2022 16:33

the 15 yo can look after an 8 yo surely. Do you really keep them off school for a sore throat?

Pit of interest would you make your 8 year old go to school with a “nasty sore throat”?

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 25/05/2022 16:42

Sirzy · 25/05/2022 16:23

Personally I think if the 15 year old is poorly enough to be off school then it’s a bit unfair to expect them to also look after a poorly sibling.

I agree. If the 15 year old is too ill for school then they are too ill to be baby sitting a poorly child.

Kanaloa · 25/05/2022 16:59

I would expect a 15 year old to be fine left with an 8 year old for the day. Obviously if the 15 year old isn’t terribly unwell, just a run of the mill sore throat/feeling a bit rubbish. And of course they’ll have your number if one of them should suddenly become really unwell/have an emergency. But yeah I can’t see a huge problem with a 15 year old watching their sibling for a day.

waterrat · 25/05/2022 17:17

Our babysitter is 15 !

Georgeskitchen · 25/05/2022 17:33

They will be fine. As long as they are sensible types.
I was looking after my baby sister age 12!!

Intrigueddotcom · 25/05/2022 17:41

waterrat · 25/05/2022 17:17

Our babysitter is 15 !

And would you use him if he messaged to say he’d been off school because he had a nasty sore throat

and also your young child has been off school with a nasty sore throat?

LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus · 25/05/2022 19:07

I left my 7 year old who was a bit under the weather with my 16 year old, while I worked for about 4 hours. My 7 year old is not at all clingy but did get a bit lonely and upset at the end, so I wouldn't do it again.