To leave 4.5 yo DD home alone

[camerondiazepam]

For 40 mins or so while I pick DD2 up from nursery?

DD1 off school poorly today, slept all morning, ate breakfast first thing but nothing since. She is snuggled up with me on the sofa in her pjs. I don't really want to take her out in cold and rain to get lil sis but don't feel I can justify leaving her, even though she's v sensible and probably won't leave the sofa. No neighbours around to keep an eye on her.

What would you do?

Good job we didnt come on here and all agree it would be a good idea to leave her then isn't it - can't believe you even considered it ...

Are you completely insane? You are considering leaving a 4 year old alone?? Unbeleivable!!!!!

As a relative newcomer to MN it is pretty depressing how bitchy people can be on these forums - you don't have to be abusive to give your opinion surely?

I have left ds1(now 7) many times, over the years. Not for as long as 40 minutes , but for 20 mins atleast. That kid does not move. Put him infront of his favourite dvd and he does not move. I can be out in the garden, in the garage anywhere.
Ds2(2) is a toally different kettle of fish. Can not be left alone for one nano-second / milli-second.
Into everything. undoing cupboard locks. spreading a whole bottle of fabric conditioner on the floor. pouring rice crispies everywhere.
You get the picture.
ds1 never touches pills, knifes, matches nothing. star wars on dvd, that kid would sit infront of a tv for 8 hours given half a chance.

It needs to be related to what kind of child you have.

Blimey!

I can't imagine anyone imagining this is a normal thing to do

Is your surname McCann?

I understand completely that none of us are perfect and we're all going to make stupid decisions/ mistakes as parents but I genuinely find it quite worrying actually that you considered this. At all - even for a second.

ouch Quattro, that's a bit shitty.

OP, I did read the thread title with heart in mouth; but glad to see you never seriously considered it 'cos it would have been a terrible idea.

Hope she feels better soon :(

Shiney, what do you mean ?
The 'guidelines' for home alone, as per the leaflet they print, are aged 12, aren't they ?
So aged 8 or 9 has nothing to do with it.
I regularly used to be out in the garden mowing the lawn for more than 20 minutes, and I am sure ds1 never even noticed I was gone.
As i have said, with the arrival of ds2, this is no longer possible.
But you are suggesting ss ? What becasue my child is in danger ? No, I do not see it that way.

Oblomov I agree with you - I think it depends very much on the child whether it's appropriate to leave them alone. My DD is as you describe your DS1, and I know that, under the right circumstances, she won't budge from that screen. I think that blanket judgements are reactionary and unhelpful. Just to reiterate before you all jump on me... I would never consider leaving a 4 yr old alone!

Seriously- You posted to ask that. I am honestly shocked. It wasn't a moment of madness, you took the time to come onto MN and type up the post.

It doesn't depend on what type of child you have - if they are a CHILD then leaving them alone is not an option, never, when they are that young.

I can't believe the number of people that have said they leave their 6/7 yr old home alone either. I have a very sensible 6.5yr dd and it just wouldn't even enter in y mind to go anywhere and leave her alone at home. I assume responsible parents think the same as me. No matter how "grown up" your 4.5 yr old is they are FAR too young to be witout adult supervision.

I am normally in the lax, leave them alone they'll be fine camp, but even I think 4.5 is too young and 40 mins too long

I guess by the replies you have realised how dangerous this could potentially be, look at the McCanns and what happened to their poor wee girl because of their stupidity and selfishness.

MumNWLondon - You went out whilst your ill 7 year old was asleep and you left her a NOTE! Would a 7 year old child even think about looking for a note if she woke up and found herself home alone..

Jesus. Some people really are odd.

me too, normally in the lax camp but thinks 4 is too young

also would not go out and leave a sleeping child, even if otherwise old enough to be alone

I am doubting that this is a serious post, surely it can't be?

glad you didnt do it,but cant believe you even considered it

esp as you have a car, so you bundle child in car and park either right beside nursery and leave in car for 2mins or you call nursery and ask for a teacher to bring your child to your nearby parked car

mcqueen, what happened to you sounds awful and could have easily been worse

Haven't read other replies yet. ~Are you crazy?

the thought even crossed your mind, wow I'ms taggered
I mean I could understand the thought very fleetingly crossing your mind and being squished when it hadn't even got halfway if you didn't have a car but fuck me, you have a car, it hsould not even have entered your head

I worry about your judgement OP and what concerns me about these replies is that you might not ask next time ...