not AIBU but what do I do re child next door (5) left. alone.

[AnaIsAlwaysShocked]

Ok first off sorry for typos I'm on my phone.

DD2 just came in from the garden saying girl next door wants her to go round and play because she's on her own. so I popped out and according to child ( lets call her daisy) her mum dad and brother have gone for a walk without her and told her to stay in the house.

She won't come round here as she's been told not to leave the house, at 5 has no real knowledge of how long they have been etc and I can't leave my house too much as I have 3DCs with me.

My plan is to knock every 5 minutes for the next half hour and then panic or sit with DC in the street until and her at the door until parents arrive. any better ideas? I don't know if I'm panicing and should ignore but surely at 5 Daisys too young to be left.

She is FAR too young. How awful of the parents.

Do you have her mum's mobile number? Do you know the family well?

I would be tempted to call the police, but I can see how awkward that would be for you as a neighbour.

I would take a chair and sit at her front door - tell her to open the door and to stay in the house. She should call you if she needs you.

This is disgraceful!

Well it depends how far they've gone/how long they're gone for. They could just be at the shop 2 minutes up the road and be back before you knock again. Anything longer than 5 minutes is very wrong or if Daisy is scared of being alone any length of time is too long. Or they could be trying my trick of telling Daisy they've gone without her while they hide around the corner waiting for her to get over her tantrum, don her wellies and come tearing after them (it doesn't work any more now )

Can you sit in her house with her and take your DC with you?

But why does that take two adults, Dooin?

Can you contact them in any way?
How long has she been alone?

Not good,she could get into all sorts of problems resulting in injury. I would really encourage her to come into your house or garden to play with your children then you will know she is safe.
When parents come home ,hopefully will panic then you know that they may reconsider their actions.This is neglect and they need to know its serious.

If she's just been in the garden, why don't you just sit out there with her and chat over the fence?

Surely you can't expect the child to answer the door to you every five minutes?

I would imagine she's been told not to answer it anyway.

Far too young to be left alone though imo

too young to be left. keeping in regular touch is a good idea.

years ago the young two children next door to me were left alone at night. they were scared. we talked through the wall until their mum came back.

I'd go and sit in the house with her. If they don't return after an hour then I'd call the Police. 5 is fat too young to be left alone, no matter what the reason.

Knock the door if could be a 5 year old telling lies.

If she is then on her own I would phone the police, who will also have the duty of contacting social services

Far, not fat.

Oh, gosh.

Thank goodness you found out she was there, I hope her parents come back soon (or that she's telling stories).

5 is far too young to be left.

If she is alone - I would just call the police and report an unattended child in her home.

Can you let your DD2 and her play in the neighbours garden and be out in your garden so you can keep an eye on them? Do they normally seem a reasonable family, do you know them well (presumably not or they would have knocked on the door if she was refusing to come out with them/ it was some kind of emergency)? I'd be tempted to persuade her to come over and leave a chatty note saying she is with you because she wanted to play with DD2 and even David Cameron has forgotten a child when going out, hope they return the favour it you ever do the same. But OMG!!!

No matter if its five minutes or more...a five year old should be taken along or left with an adult.

OP you are right to be concerned. Seeing as its relatively nice out, could you and your dcs sit out/play out so she is close by?

Lets also bear in mind, this girl might have been told not to leave the house but she was playing in the garden so house unlocked.

Are they definitely out - it's not a 5 year old making up stories?

At the very least, if they were only going to be out 2 mins, they should have told her not to answer the door!!! When they do come in, please give them a strong talking to and point out SS/NSPCC guidelines. Leaving a 5 year old is not on!

If they are still out in 1/2 hour or so, I would leave a note and take Daisy around to yours - longer than that alone is far too much stress for even a sensible, calm 5 year old. Stories and milk? Then another 1/2 hour and I'd be ringing SS.

Poor little thing (assuming she's not telling tall tales of course!)

Not sure what to do if they don't turn up soon, I think you may have to pursuade her into your house as jaffacake says.

how old is old enough to be left?

why didnt one adult stay home?

Far far too young to be alone.

Can you sit in the garden with your dcs and they can play over the fence?

Can you get her to come out in the garden so you can see her? And make up some games you can play over the wall?

cross post bonkey!

Garden fence is six foot she clambers up to talk with DC but I cant encourage that just in case of accidents.

Just been round to check she's alone and she is. no contact numbers for parents around cant work her house phone to get numbers off that.

She was very uncomfortable with me being in there as she's been told not to let anyone in.

Oh dear :(

5 is very little. I think I would get the police round TBH. It's been 15 mins near enough.

I'd be livid if DH left DS at home alone. And I agree they need to know that they can't do this again :(

Phone the police now.

I wouldn't enter the house, i would get the children to play in the next door back garden, where you can watch them.

She is to young to be left and there is no excuse, but you don't want to be open to any allegations.