7yo often home alone in the morning, WWYD? If anything?

[Hufflepuzzpig]

I genuinely don't know. Neighbour's DS (nearly 8 but acts very young for his age) always goes in the car with his mum in the evening to pick up his dad from work, and he's not allowed to stay home/on the shared front lawn on his own while his mum goes.

In the mornings though, DH has noticed the DS is never with them, so the mum comes back and then takes him to school. I guess he must still be asleep or just doesn't get dressed on time or doesn't want to go.

Is that ok at that age? I wouldn't leave a 7yo home alone, but I expect many do and I don't think it's as terrible as DH does. He is generally more paranoid/helicoptery than me though. I know it's a really subjective issue, and the age at which parents let DCs be home alone varies massively.

I'd be happy for him to just come over for that time (about 30mins) in the mornings, even if he's in his PJs, should I suggest it? We don't know the parents that well, they are lovely but very shy and his mum in particular struggles with English. I could suggest it to the DS though, he likes it here.

I guess what I'm basically asking is - is nearly-8 old enough for this to be absolutely none of my business and I (and DH!) should chill because it's fine? Or is it a bit young to be home alone even for a short time?

allfires,you see youre not qsw,youre a student kind of bigging this up as if your opinion is definitive.but professional education is like that,it stretches and demands of you.and you go in thinking things are more clear cut than in fact they are not.good luck in your professional career, and its a huge and responsible learning curve.best wishes in your studies

Huffle - Enquiries might be made on a less intrusive level, for example sharing the information with the local PCSO, enquiring after the childs well-being at school, checking previous records - maybe someone else has reported it previously. If there were more serious concerns then it would lead to a home visit - for example long periods of time, overnight, other safety issues etc. But yes, the referral would be taken seriously, 7 is considered very young to be alone.

I would like to add that I'm not suggesting you refer to children's services. It is a decision you will need to make for yourself. I agree with previous posts that initially it might be worthwhile casually mentioning to your neighbour that if they ever need some childcare support in the morning you would welcome him at your home. Perhaps their response might help you gain a better understanding of the situation.

v personal.how is it relevant
i worked with children before i was a parent.dont need to be mum to work competently with children

OP, perhaps the mum has already put in place a plan to deal with emergencies? Perhaps she has told her child to call someone if she doesn't return within the hour. She may have even given him your number (although she should have asked you, obviously).

I think the idea of casually mentioning that her DS could come over in the morning if that would "help her out" could open up a conversation. Take it from there.

Not sure why Allthefires is copping it quite so badly.
She gave her opinion. Which IS allowed.

I agree with LeQueen in that it depends on the child, although it is not something I would feel comfortable with.

OP, I think your idea of letting your neighbour know he is welcome at your house if he needs you is a really good idea.

Quite gobsmacked. I have a very mature and sensible 7 year old. No way would I leave him for 30 mins.

I may be being a bit pfb, but I think the rough guidance from our local school has it about right - bit more independence from Year 2, but still really supervised until end Year 5.

Don't think I would leap right in with social workers though, but I would chat to the parents and offer to help.

I've got a 7 year old (soon to be 8 year old) boy as well and I wouldn't dream of leaving him home alone yet. It's way too young. Can't believe anyone thinks it's okay to leave them at that age tbh.

a nqt,qsw,medic can all be in 20's and in responsible position of advising and suggesting interventions.and that is ok.if their course and temperament prepared them for the role

for example plenty young primary teachers dont have children and still offrer professional advice to parents.equally a mature student,age odent conger wisdom

Thing is, people make judgements not knowing about the neighbourhood the child is left in. Sink estate with drug dealers next door? Leafy suburb with kindly neighbours? Small village where everyone keeps an eye out for one another?

Inthenightkitchen- you reading a different thread?

Yes was disgusted by the none of your business/ you got your nose to the window/ it's fine comments based on the limited info the OP provided.

I didn't say the child was probably being neglected/abused- I suggested the parent may think it was ok to leave alone at other times as this was was frequent.

And where did I tell another poster off?

a nqt could qualify at 20.should teachers have age bar too?

Absolutely amazed by the initial responses....

It's illegal to leave a child that young on their own at home.

Why don't you make an anonymous call to social services...and get them to look into the situation.

If there were a fire and he was trapped inside.....how would you feel?

There is no legal age for leaving a child at home alone.

In my humble opinion, it's the responsibility of all adults to watch out for the little ones.

It's good to be nosy...in cases like this.

Better to act and have this looked into, rather than ignore your concerns (as so many do) and risk the child being in real danger on his own.

There is no legal age limit for leaving a child on their own, but it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk. Parents can be prosecuted if they leave a child unsupervised ?in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health? (Children and Young Person?s Act).

yes and thats the rub,interpretation and context.

Why dont you just suggest to the parents that the boy can come to you if there is a problem - thats what good neighbours are for?? and dont let them lock him in so he cant get out.

Have left my 2 boys (now 12, 10) in the house for 1/2 hour every morning whilst I feed the animals. They have 3 great big dogs in the house with them and I never lock the front door so I know they could all get out of the house. They have my mb on speed dial and will call me if they are up and they want something. We are rural but have people next door who they know and we always all look out for each other. Am I really supposed to drag them out of bed in midwinter when it is -10 outside just to keep a social worker happy!

At 7 I was walking myself about 1/2 mile to school across a main road and calling for friends on the way. Nobody considered this a problem, its just what we all did. Sometimes I think we have all gone nuts. I just dont think we understand relative risk anymore.

"
It's illegal to leave a child that young on their own at home."

NO IT ISN"T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can see the headlines though..."7 year old dies in house fire after parents left him alone" - you would all be sickened, outgraged, judgey as Hell and say it was unacceptable and they were terrible parents.

That ^ is a sensational headline and I'm being OTT just to make a point. But most of those that are saying it's acceptable to leave a 7 year old alone would judge the parents if anything bad happened.

I would never do it, by the way.