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Original poster

Do you let your Year 6 child walk home to an empty house after school?

51 replies

Fantina · 30/08/2022 17:13

DD is going into Year 6 and desperately doesn’t want to continue going to after school club. DS is going into Year 8 and already comes home from school and let’s himself in but he didn’t start until Year 7.

Would you let DD walk home to him? It’s a safe walk but she’d be on her own with him for around 1.5hours until I get back. They mostly get on but not always but they would then probably just phone me on my mobile at work to complain about each other rather than be unsafe. DH commutes and wouldn’t be reachable so it would be me dashing back if there’s any issues. I do leave them together now if I need to do the supermarket shop for example.

OP posts:
Nidan2Sandan · 30/08/2022 17:14

Yes, I did. She hated after school club and the walk was less than 10 minutes.

Original poster
Fantina · 30/08/2022 17:26

How long was she on her own for? I think by Year 6 they feel like they’ve outgrown after school club.

OP posts:
PiggyPokkyFool · 30/08/2022 17:28

Yes I did.
By the time she got home, unpacked her lunch bag, unloaded the dishwasher and got herself a snack it was about 30 minutes before DD1 who was in year 8 got back.

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Discovereads · 30/08/2022 17:31

In your situation where there is an older sibling also around, definitely would let them.

Londono · 30/08/2022 17:32

Secondary school aged DS will beat her home so she won't actually be going into an empty house. I guess my question is, is it ok to leave them together home alone for 1.5hours?

Passthecake30 · 30/08/2022 17:35

I let my yr 6 walk home as he outgrew all other options. He had a key and knew what to do if he had issues getting in (but never did). He had a phone and needed to message me when he got home.
I’ve left my kids when they were yr 6 and 8 at home for 6ish hours before. Just needed to remind them to actually move away from their screens and eat 🙄

teenagetantrums · 30/08/2022 17:35

Mine did about 15 years ago. Her older brother got home about an hour later. She was happy just watching TV and having a snack. Depends totally on how independent your child is.

MyNameIsAngelicaSchuyler · 30/08/2022 17:35

in that scenario I would absolutely do it. She has an older sibling there. Presuming no additional needs of course

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 30/08/2022 17:36

Yes. My year 6 child will do this from september, with no older sibling present either.

FawnFrenchieMum · 30/08/2022 17:39

Is it an empty house or will your year 8 DS be there? 1.5 hours would probably be too long if alone for me, but if the sibling is there within around 30 mins then yes I would.

Original poster
Fantina · 30/08/2022 17:41

Older sibling will be there so she won’t be on her own. Although she’d be quite happy if she was! The darker nights ahead are making me wonder.

OP posts:
Cotswoldmama · 30/08/2022 17:43

I think that would be fine. My son turned 9 in Feb he was in year 4 and we let him walk home alone. We were there when he got home but in a couple of years I would definitely trust him. It depends really on how sensible and confident the child is.

Iamnotthe1 · 30/08/2022 17:45

The walk is fine as is letting herself in. However, I'd question a 12 and 10 year old being left home for an hour and a half every day.

BloodyCamping · 30/08/2022 17:49

Yes that’s a 12 or 13 year old with a 10 or 11 year old for an hour and a half weekdays. In a safe neighbourhood and with emergency adults a call away that could be fine.

Anon50000 · 30/08/2022 17:53

Yes I would. If you are reachable by phone then it's fine.

latetothefisting · 30/08/2022 17:54

Maybe say you'll consider it from next term if she proves to you in the meantime that she and her brother won't argue if theyre left alone - she'll be a bit older and closer to secondary school age, days will be getting longer and lighter again, plus maybe an incentive for her to reduce her side of the bickering with her older brother - win win for you?!

Obviously bearing in mind a certain amount of leeway if her brother winds her up, as he won't have the same incentive!

Teadrinkingmumofone · 30/08/2022 17:55

I would do it and either she makes an effort to get along with sibling (or ignore him) or goes back to after school club

carefullycourageous · 30/08/2022 17:55

Personally no but I wouldn't be judging a different opinion either at this age.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 30/08/2022 17:56

I allowed my oldest to stop going to after school club in Year 6, he had a key to let himself in and enjoyed having the house to himself for an hour or so. He's a very sensible boy and we had ground rules and also talked about what he would do if there was a problem - phone me, or if he couldn't get hold of me I had an agreement with a close neighbour that he could knock on her door.

By the time his sister was in Year 6 a couple of years later I had no concerns about her walking home as DS would usually be home before her.

FawnFrenchieMum · 30/08/2022 17:57

My two argue like cat & dog when I’m there but seem to Co exist perfectly fine when I’m not. They are different when home alone.

GretaVanFleet · 30/08/2022 18:03

I would let them but I would tell the younger child that the older child is in charge and make sure the older child is aware of their responsibilities especially to come straight home from school. I would also stress to the younger one the importance of coming straight home. I’d be inclined to say it’s a trial because if they wind each other up or one is left worrying where the other is you might have to revert back to the after school club.

trampoline123 · 30/08/2022 18:13

Personally I think that's too young, I wouldn't judge I just know if something happened I'd never forgive myself.

Could she go back to a friends instead and you get her on the way home?

noclothesinbed · 30/08/2022 18:15

Yes

superram · 30/08/2022 18:15

Yes, sometimes if year 9 dc has a club he has to stay on his own. Lots of neighbours around to help though.

SmallestInTheClass · 30/08/2022 18:16

Yes, I'm expecting this will happen in our house occasionally when both me and DH have to be in the office on the same day.

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