To have left my dd home alone for a short while?

[Dancergirl]

Went to pick dd1 up from ballet this evening. Got dd3 (3.5) all ready to go but dd2 (nearly 8) was ensconced in reading in her room and didn't want to go out again.

So....after weighing up any risks, I decided to leave her alone for a 25-min round trip. But one of the mums at ballet said she would have never left hers alone at that age. I actually feel a bit guilty now....but she's sensible, would never open the door and in the minute risk of there being a fire she would run out and go to a neighbour.

So, would you leave a nearly 8 year old alone for 25 mins?

Although I don't drive so leave him just to go the shop etc-probably less chances of accident.

Read once that, surprisingly, most house burglaries happen in the afternoon. Highly highly unlikely I know, but would be very frightening for a 7 year old.

Don't beat yourself up now. What's done is done, and you can't change that now.

All children are different.

I know my DS would be ok to be left for a few mins in the future (not now, too young) but I know he is very sensible, knows how to use phone, neighbours are always in. But yes, posters are right, something may have happened to you and no one would know DD was home alone.

yes, and potential burglars watch the house until you leave

Depends on the child, but I would say maybe yes.

My Mum certainly left me at 13 in charge of an 8yo..

No way

yanbu
it was only for a short while and at 8 I am sure she was fine

Only you know your daughter so only you can truly make the call.

I wouldn't, but I don't think that's rational of me. My parents left me at that age. The chances of anything bad happening are minute.

I would not have done it, and definately not for the first time when I had to actually do something important.

the first time my Mum left me I was around 8 or 9, I insisted that I would be fine and persuaded her to go round the corner to a shop. I was petrified when she left, and still clearly remember waiting for her with my nose pressed up against the window.

No, not at 8. At 11 (when at secondary school) was young enough for me, and then not for extended periods. Can't you get into trouble for leaving young children home alone? I'm sure there are laws about these things??

umf, most of parenting isn't rational

My DD is 8.5yo and yes, I would do this.

But

Only if she knew what to do in an emergency, had phone and knew how to use it to call neighbour.

AnyFucker - no, probably none of it! But since OP wants to know whether we'd do it, thought fair to say that I wouldn't but think I'm probably being daft.

My mother used to leave me when I was younger than that to walk the dogs in the evening- so probably for 15-20 minutes. Also if she had shopping to do etc and I was doing my homework. She also worked FT so it wasn't just a case of lack of organization. Actually, now that I think of it, I was going to the corner shop at 5 or 6 and to the shop half a mile away when I was 8.

I think it depends on the child's maturity, the safety of your house, nice neighbours near by etc.

I wouldn't say it's ok to leave all 8 yo and neither I would think it's dangerous thing to do to leave any 8 yo for a short time.

Sorry, just read OP.

YABVVVVVVVVVU

Shes 7 for God's sake.

I know umf, but our instincts are there for a purpose, are they not ?

I certainly trust mine

Not in a million years

Probably not, if only because I would have been worried sick all the time I was out.

AnyFucker yes, I guess they are. Although some things that feel like instinct may be, for example, knowledge of your individual child.

Oh, of course it's Ok to do this!

Make sure they know how to use the phone and have important numbers clearly listed.

I would, if thought my child was sensible enough, if not then I wouldn't.

I think generally children are a lot more sensible than they are given credit for. Was your DD happy and comfortable with it when you got back? Did she know what to do in an emergency? If so I would do it again.

My DD is 8y and very sensible.

But I wouldn't leave her home alone for that length of time just yet.

"Probably not, if only because I would have been worried sick all the time I was out."

I think you are so right. A lot of the time we do things that appear to be about protecting our children but are really about protecting ourself.