to consider leaving DD1 home alone?

[macdoodle]

She is almost 9, very sensible and grown up. My childcare for tuesday has fallen through last minute. I have asked everyone I can think off with no luck.

Options are, she comes to work with me - I work from 8:30am to 6pm. She would have to stay in the common room, with her DS/ipod/writing/books, I will be downstairs if she needs me, we may be able to pop out for a quick lunch. It is pretty boring and she isnt mad on the idea.

Option 2 is my childminder who will already be having DD2 (who is only 2 and half), she has no other older children and DD1 will be very bored , oh and obviously I'll have to pay her.

DD1 has asked why she cant stay home alone, I have previously left her for short periods (the odd hour here or there). We live in a very safe close, in a rural/suburban area, she knows all the neighbours but our 2 closest friends wont be there because I have already asked them. I work less than 5 minutes away, but wouldnt be able to leave at the drop of a hat.

A compromise is I take her to work with me in the morning, bring her home at lunchtime, give her lunch and leave her from about 2 till I get home at 6pm??

Am not sure about this, though she is a very sensible grown up girl, thoughts??

Once again, I am sorry for not reading properly at the start. But I think you could be surprised, mac, honestly. I work in adult social care and one of my clients was recently prosecuted and convicted for popping to the shops for around 30 mins leaving her children home alone. The youngest was quite a bit younger than 9 but was not a baby or preschooler. I was very surprised. The culture in children's social services is very knee jerk and risk averse at the moment and if you had been thinking of leaving a 9 y.o. home alone for a 10 hour stint (which you weren't!) I really don't think it's beyond the bounds of possibility that social services might take an interest, were they to learn of it.

I'm a slack mother but even I would say it's too long a period.

BUT you have to trust your instincts on this one. I know you came on here wanting opinions and most people have said no - probably not much help to you!

Quick update, DD1 went to the CM with DD2, it was fine and they had a good day, I was not stressed and well worth the money.
Thansk all for the sensible advice, she is going again next tues :)

I honestly think YABU in even thinking about leaving an 8 year old alone for half a day - I don't care how sensible she is!! Is it even legal to leave a child of that age for so long??

glad you got it all sorted out, macdoodle.

Sorry - have just realisd that I am way too late with my post! Glad it all worked out well in the end, anyway.