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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to leave my kids at home and go to work?

50 replies

Ladyanonymous · 26/10/2010 13:59

New job was supposed to be term time only - now it seems not and haven't yet had a contract (yes its local authority). Got work laptop sorted out so could work from home this week and have taken 3 days leave so am working today and tomorrow.

Am unable to use laptop from home as it has a program missing apparently and am waiting for IT to call me back (at home).

Have no family here and their father is more than useless when it comes to doing anything constructive to help me.

3 kids, 13, 11 and 8 all very sensible and responsible know what to do in an emergency, have access to the phone and mobiles, have their own keys, can make sandwiches, go to the park on their own, know not to answer the door to anyone other than me etc etc and I pop out to shops leaving them here for an hour or so sometimes.

Would I be unreasonable to go to work for a few hours and leave them here? At what age is it okay to do this or is it just a parental choice as to the individual child?

OP posts:
DooinMeCleanin · 26/10/2010 14:00

How long is a few hours and how far away are you and how do the children feel about this?

Sorry lots of questions but all very important imo.

LoopyLoupGarou · 26/10/2010 14:00

I believe it is up to the parents. You know your children best, but I would be reluctant to be honest. Work should be sorting it out if they want you to be productive.

JodiesMummy · 26/10/2010 14:01

The youngest should be 13 for you to legally leave them alone.

I was 13 and left with 3 younger siblings, 10 7 and 2 while my parents worked. They had to. No choice. I was sensible and had all the phone numbers and they werent far away. Its up to you to make the call.

HarlotOTara · 26/10/2010 14:01

Well I would leave them - you can ring to check all is ok at work. I leave my dd who is 13 when I need to work in the holidays (mostly term time usually). You know your children.

PosieComeHereMyPreciousParker · 26/10/2010 14:04

I think it's a massive responsibility for a thirteen year old....an 8 year ols and 11 year old could be PITAs.

Original poster
Ladyanonymous · 26/10/2010 14:04

I didn't think there was a law regarding this?

Work is 6 miles away (but about a 20 minute drive as bad traffic) and it would be about 4 - 6 hours.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ladyanonymous · 26/10/2010 14:07

I was thinking that is it ( a massive responsibility) but when I think about what I did when I was 13 I am not sure - the younger ones are not usually PITA's btw Grin)

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 26/10/2010 14:07

There is no age limit to be left alone but you are still responsible for all under 16s in your care.

Are there no friends or neighbours that could help as a one off?

SheWillBeLoved · 26/10/2010 14:07

I wouldn't leave them for that long, definitely not. An hour or two maybe, but not 4-6 hours. It's a long time for kids, and as sensible as they may be, they'll get bored and may well get up to things they wouldn't if you were home.

TrillianSlasher · 26/10/2010 14:09

"The youngest should be 13 for you to legally leave them alone."

This is bollocks. There is no legal age before which chlidren cannot be left alone.

nancydrewrocked · 26/10/2010 14:11

jodiesmummy not true: there is no legal age limit.

PosieComeHereMyPreciousParker · 26/10/2010 14:12

OP, your dcs don't argue then?

ragged · 26/10/2010 14:12

yanbu

Clary · 26/10/2010 14:14

Hmm the 8yo makes me pause.

I would have no prob at all with 11 and 13 yo but IME it's a while for an 8yo to amuse themselves/not fall out with siblings.

In general tho the older mine get the more relaxed I am

JodiesMummy · 26/10/2010 14:15

Oh sorry I have been misinformed.

Bollocks :)

GiddyPickle · 26/10/2010 14:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ENormaSnob · 26/10/2010 14:19

I used to babysit other peoples dcs at 13.

SkeletonFlowers · 26/10/2010 14:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GiddyPickle · 26/10/2010 14:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BinkyNic · 26/10/2010 14:27

depends on maturity of children, time of day, length of time as far as the law is concerned...

direct gov

megapixels · 26/10/2010 14:32

Your 8 year old has his/her own key? How come?

I wouldn't.

ENormaSnob · 26/10/2010 14:33

Used to babysit when the children were up too. 2 brothers used to fight like mad, it was bloody hard work tbh.

I would leave the elder 2 but not the 8 year old.

Bramshott · 26/10/2010 14:39

Can you take the 8 yr old in with you and leave the older two?

greenbananas · 26/10/2010 14:40

My mum worked and used to allow me and my 2 sisters (when aged about the same as your DCs) to come home from school and make tea on our own. I am the eldest and was supposed to be in charge. My sisters were very mean to me and then lied about it afterwards when mum got home. I hated, hated, hated it, so much I can't even begin to describe how much. She never knew how much I hated her not being there because I knew we needed the money and that she had to work. Don't do it!!! Is there a holiday / after school club your kids would be happy at?

GoreRenewed · 26/10/2010 14:42

I'd do it for a few hours. As long as the 13yr old knows he/she MUST NOT go out and leave the other two alone.

in fact I have done it come to think of it but only for 1.5 hrs tops. I could also get home in about 10mins if I had to.