Would you leave a 6 yr old home alone with a 13 year old?

[Barrenfieldoffucks]

For 15 mins or so?

Oldest child, DD, is saying that she thinks she is old enough to sit with our youngest, who is 6 for a short time while I go and collect another child.

I'd like external opinions, what're your thoughts?

Yes. I was babysitting at that age!

If they got on and it was only for 15 mins then yes I would.

Yes, as long as both are happy with it.

No I wouldn't...but I'm not outraged at the thought of someone else doing so for such a short period of time

Depends on the children. My 5 year old is hard work I wouldn't leave him with my 16 year old unless the little one is asleep 😂😂

If they are both happy with it then yes, of course.

I was babysitting for neighbours kids at that age.

For that short amount of time and she’s offered? Yes.
Put them both on the sofa with a snack and a film if you’re really that concerned. 6 year old is reasonably sensible and well behaved?

Yes I would. I assume the 13 year old has a phone and knows what to do in an emergency?

Yes, it’s only a short while. I have 2
the same age,
older has a phone if he needs help or is worried
youngest would sit on her iPad quietly while I was out

I think they'll be fine, they're watching Minecraft videos. Older one has a phone surgically attached anyway. 🙄

I was babysitting too at that age and it was OK. I have a 10yo and 4yo. 10yo would definitely be capable of this by the time he's 13.

We left the 12 and 7yo alone for the first time at Christmas when we did the god awful food shop. I don’t think either moved from the technology we’d left them on. But it depends on the personalities, neither of ours are the kind of kids who’d suddenly decide to cook or go out or anything.

I was babysitting my months old half brother at just over 14.

If it was my 6 year old, then absolutely fine. She could be left alone in all fairness. With another girl, age 13, she would be absolutely fine.

In this situation as long as they get on yes given is 15 minutes.

No I wouldn't.

1. Why has she suggested it?

1. Phone surgically attached means less paying attention to what is going on around her

Yes sounds fine.

Yes as long as the 13 year old was mature.

Why on earth not??

I do.

Dc are 16, 13 and 6. 16 year old's social life has dramatically ramped up this year.

There have been a few times in past months when I've left ds3 with ds2 when dropping ds1 to a friends house. Max of 20 minutes usually.

Yes definitely

Yep, my DD1 is 16 now and has regularly 'babysat' DD2 (6) since she was 13 and DD2 was around 3 yo - at first it would have been for less than an hour but they happily spend the best part of a day together now (normally inset days when I'm working!)

Of course, why on earth not?

Absolutely. Unless there is a good reason like the younger one being incredibly difficult or I were an inveterate helicopter parent who can’t stop controlling things!