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?

Can I join you there MmeLindt?

Well, how was she in the end? Ds would have been OK, but dd (also 7y) might have been scared, although I have left her on her own for maybe 10 min. I think the mum may have an accident a bit funny, I would rather NOT have her in the car if I'm going to have an accident...

No way. 7 is just too young. Even if they are reasonably sensible they aren't old enough to make rational decisions if something goes wrong in the house or you don't re-appear when you are supposed to.

Gin? Lovely.

(tells seeker and mmelindt to shift up a bit)
I have done it.
It depends on your child.

YANBU

Another one here for the irresponsible mother corner. My DD is the same age as yours, OP, and I leave her at home on her own for up to an hour. She has to stay downstairs, playing the wii (which she will happily do for hours), with the phone beside her. She's thoroughly drilled with all the safety stuff, and I 'phone her every so often to check that she's ok. She often chats on the 'phone to her dad while I'm out (who works from home).

I think it completely depends on your child. Do make sure she knows what to do in various emergencies, though.

I don't think any of you ladies are iresponsible

I just wouldn't do it

I don't really understand the argument about how awful it would be for the child to be home alone if something happened to the mum while she was out - yes, it would be awful, but possibly not as bad as being in a car crash?

I have left my children for short periods at this age. Yes, the house might be being watched by a burglar, or a fire might break out - or you could all get in the car and be hit at the end of the road by a speeding maniac. There are small risks in everything we do.

God no. My just turned 8yo niece is no way ready to be left. She's far too scatty.

Exactly Goingspare!

I wouldn't.

Oh, can I have some gin, too, please? I definitely deserve it after the bollocking I got on my 'neglectful mother' thread.

hera, hera, goingspare

I am always amazed at the number of mothers who want their DC in the accident with them! Surely if you get in an accident it is better to have your DC safely at home with a book?
If she wants to be left, if she is sensible, if she knows how to get hold of you, if she can call on a neighbour, if she knows the rules and if she knows what to do in an emergency she is fine.
From her point of view- who wants to do an unnecessary car journey when they could be curled up with a good book?

or hear, hear even

I would
You did
Your daughter was OK
You are OK

Its not an issue.

Ihave been leaving DS1 aged 10 for up to 45 mins for some time now.
Ds2 is 7 and not so sensible so can see it will be a long time before I leave him

If the 8 yr old was happy, probably. I can't remember if I actually did that when the dds were 8.

I really wouldn't get het up about it. It doesn't sound like any sort of big deal to me.

I wouldn't, personally. I would have let her bring her book to read on the way/ while I was in picking up dd2, but I don't think I'd like to leave her for that length of time.

But my dd isn't your dd, so that doesn't mean I necessarily think you were unreasonable

Not for 25 mins. Maybe 2 mins to the postbox, but no more than that.

I agree, it's what could happen to you, not her, that would worry me most.

I posted an aibu about this ages ago (leaving my daughter at home for short periods), and namechanged as I was so sure I'd get a flaming. Seeker and Piscesmoon were two of the voices of sanity on that thread, too.

When I was a DC reaing in the car made me sick! Surely it was too dark anyway Joolyjoolyjoo?

don't know what happened to the 'd' -reading.

I would too
I nipped out leaving 6.5 ds watching tv whilst I posted a letter for 5 minutes
nothing bad happened