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Original poster

What age would you leave your two children home alone

27 replies

Angelbunny · 26/08/2022 12:22

I work as a beauty therapist full time but also do a few mobile beauty appointments too. I usually will go straight to an appointment after work as my children are with my husband.

I have recently had a few clients asking about having appointments on a Saturday. Now this is one of my days off and the only day I don't have childcare for my children. My oldest is 12, youngest 7. Do you think this is too young to be left together? I would only do 1 appointment and be max 2 hours. I would also only do an appointment in our village. For me, as I know their personalities and maturity I feel they would be fine. They would probably just go on their tablets the whole time. I do worry what others would think though and wonder if its a big no?

OP posts:
Itsnotthesameasitwas · 26/08/2022 12:27

12 is far to young to be put in a position of looking after a much younger sibling.

WhackingPhoenix · 26/08/2022 12:31

Could you arrange for your client to visit your home if you have a suitable space?

12yo would probably be fine, but I’m not sure I’d want them essentially looking after a 7yo.

PuttingDownRoots · 26/08/2022 12:38

I leave my 11yo alone. But don't leave 9yo for more than 5-10mins (pop to corner shop or post box fir example). I'll reconsider when she's 10. 11yo is responsible but not od enough to look after another child really.

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EekThreek · 26/08/2022 12:41

I have children the same age, and I won't leave them home alone together. I started leaving the 12yo for short periods around age 7-8, so I will start leaving the 7yo alone soon, when the 12yo isn't around. When they're used to it, I will consider leaving the two together, but I don't know when I'll be comfortable with it.

It's as much the 12yo having to be responsible for the 7yo, as the 7yo having no adult supervision, that clinches it for me.

Nostrings457 · 26/08/2022 12:43

Depends on the children - you know them best don’t worry about what others think. Mine aren’t quite that age but I know that I will be happy to leave them once they are

thirstyformore · 26/08/2022 12:43

My are 13 and 9. Very sensible, mature 13 year old. We now regularly leave them together for a few hours. When they were 12 and 8 we left them occasionally, but for shorter periods. I wouldn't leave a 7 and 12 year old alone for more than a short period. 7 is quite young.

Carrieonmywaywardsun · 26/08/2022 12:52

A 12 year old shouldn't be in charge of a home and 7 year old. If something happens can you safely leave someone halfway through a treatment? Or would you hear your phone?

MojoJojo71 · 26/08/2022 12:52

I’d leave a sensible 12 year old for an hour or two without adult supervision but not a 7 year old.

AmberGer · 26/08/2022 13:05

We started during lockdown as we didn't want to take them to the supermarket with us peak pandemic.
At the time they were 14 and 8.

Icecreamandapplepie · 26/08/2022 13:08

So cuspy isn't it.

8 and 13 sounds alot more doable for 2 hours...

Firty · 26/08/2022 13:15

9

DelphiniumBlue · 26/08/2022 13:15

Depends very much on the children, and whether the younger one will listen to the big one.
But could you take the younger with you if they can sit quietly with a book or tablet? If it's to someone's house and you are doing them a favour to go on a Saturday, I don't think it's too much of an ask. Or could you work it so that DH is home at say 5 and you fit in an appointment starting around 4:30 so that there is only a short time when DC are left alone?

mrsfoof · 26/08/2022 13:19

I leave my 12 and 10 year olds together for up to an hour. I would not leave a 12 year old with a 7 year old as they are not old enough for that level of responsibility (my 10 year old is responsible enough not to need 'looking after' by their sibling).

womaninatightspot · 26/08/2022 13:22

I leave my 12 yo and 9yo for nearly two hours after school twice a week. I think 7 is a bit on the young side. I also have 7yo twins and I wouldn’t leave them yet.

that said when I was 12 I was a paid babysitter for a 6yo maybe we were all abit more Lax in early 90s.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 26/08/2022 13:23

I wouldn’t given the 7 year old.

sheepdogdelight · 26/08/2022 13:23

12 year old - fine.
7 year old - not

Probably would do it when they are 14 and 9.

BungledBundle · 26/08/2022 13:25

If the 7 year old is sensible and will listen to the 12 year old, and the 12 yo is also sensible, I'd say it's fine. 7 year olds are very variable! (I didn't leave my 7 year old in a similar situation with his older sibling not because he wasn't sensible but because he was accident prone, falling over feet, bumping into work surfaces etc.)

I was babysitting a toddler and a baby during the day at 13 Shock...and being paid for it!

pinkunicorns54 · 26/08/2022 13:30

www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/in-the-home/home-alone/

I find this link useful in deciding.

But 7 is too young and 12 is too young to be left in charge of a 7 yr old

LER83 · 26/08/2022 14:00

I've got a 12yr old, 10yr old and 7yr old. 12 & 10 year old fine to be left. Wouldn't dream of leaving my 7 year old, even with both the oldest, who both have phones and relatives within 15min walking distance. 7 is just too young in my opinion, and I would worry he would decide not to listen to his siblings in an emergency.

LauraChant · 26/08/2022 14:08

Started leaving ours alone during lockdown while DH and I went for a walk for an hour, with our phones, so they would have been 12 and 10. Now they are 14 and 12, happy to leave them for three or four hours.
I do think 12 is too young to be in charge of a seven year old.

TooBigForMyBoots · 26/08/2022 14:14

During lockdown I left DS(13) alone with DS(2). it really depends on the children.

JustDanceAddict · 26/08/2022 14:41

It was at 12 and 14.

G5000 · 26/08/2022 14:46

Yes I would. They know how to use phones and you would be nearby.

isntitapip · 26/08/2022 14:53

I do it now with my just turned 13 year old and 8.5 year old. I've done it for about 3-4 months. The oldest enjoys the responsibility and the extra money. I pay him because that's what I would do if I got a babysitter in and I think it's above and beyond normal household chores. It really depends on your kids, and how they are together tbh

abovedecknotbelow · 26/08/2022 15:06

I don't think it's fair for the older one to be responsible for a 7 yo.

Dts are ten and I leave them while I go to the shop, walk the dog, no more than 45 minutes but they have form for dicking around together.