To leave DCs home alone while I go for a run?

[Borntorun25]

I'm a long term lurker and have gleaned much good advice and also amusement from Mumsnet, but this is my first post. I suspect I am BU but would appreciate objective opinions please.
2 DCs, aged 11 and 9. Off school for 5 days hols (schools, not mine!). DC currently away from home for work.
I love running, have been doing for 8 years now and has majorly helped both physical and mental health. I get seriously twitchy if I miss.
I am self employed and arrange my hours so I can usually fit a run in during school time. If not possible I get up early before DH goes to work. Neither option possible currently.
DCs do sometimes run with me but neither want to today. We spent most of yesterday on beach and they just want to chill and play minecraft, etc on iPads today. We are going out this afternoon anyway so they will get fresh air then.
I would be gone for 40 mins. Have never left them this long before. Have only ever driven to nearest shop for paper/milk, max of 15-20 mins alone before. They would happily play on iPads for hours if left to own devices.
I suspect IABU, it's just such a lovely day here and the road looks sooo inviting.......
They are too young really, aren't they? Happy to be told so, then I will settle myself down!

If they are sensible I think it is fine.
As it is the first time leaving them, maybe change your running route and pop home after 20 minutes and then finish off with a second 20 minutes. Just to make sure they are ok :)

Would it be ok to go to the pub for an hour, or shopping,

As long as you have your phone...

Nope....

The youngest needs parental supervision, in fact they both do.

How many of us with children's and xp's would be happy if our xp did this on days they had access......

Absolutely. 11 and 9 is well old enough. I like the ideas of doing 20 minutes, checking in, and then doing another 20 minutes.

Don't 11 year olds get themselves to and from school on their own? So surely they can be left with an ipad for 40 mins?

Of course it would be fine to go out/shopping for an hour and leave a 9 and 11 year old at home.

You say the 11 year old is a cousin? Would his/her parents be ok with you leaving their child alone.
Also even though they may be glued to their iPads when you are there, knowing you are not there does seem more exciting to get up to something. I wouldn't leave them alone.

They'll be fine just take your phone, I leave my 9 year old while I nip round the corner to my friends but he knows where I am, he plays out for longer on his own.

DH and me used to go for a walk when the DDs were that age and round the loop takes about that time.

These threads always baffle me as by 11 I was responsible for getting tea ready before mum got home (having travelled the three miles home from school with 8yr old sis). If your kids are sensible enough, then it's fine, but only you know whether they are. Age doesn't always correspond with maturity - my brother couldn't be trusted on his own til he was 17!

glasgow 11 year olds get the bus to secondary school ,why on earth cant they be left for 40 minutes ?
Mine were perfectly capable of being left if I needed to pop to the shop etc.
OP I think its perfectly sensible, children don't suddenly become responsible and capable at the age of 16.
Gradually increasing their independence and confidence is better parenting in my book than never allowing your children to be unsupervised.

Has only one other person read the post about leaving a five year old! OP I think if you know your children won't fight etc then the breaking it into two halves is a good idea.

No I wouldn't and i have a 9 and 11 (nearly 12) year olds. Just started leaving 9 year old for 5 mins or 10/15 with older dd.

What MrsO said

Anne I read it too but that's the persons decision to leave a 5 year old by themselves for 20 minutes so no comment from me.

Can they come with you on their bikes, or do they faff about like my ds does
Can't believe someone leaves a 5 yo alone for 20 mins though, that's a bit young IMO.
But I think if you think they're sensible, they'll be fine :)

anne I was just sitting here about the 5yo too.

I hope mine are sensible enough to be left by the time they're 11 and 9. I'm a LP and it would be wonderful to run without getting my mum round to look after them. Me and my sister walked home from school on our own at that age and had our own key. Dad would get home after 30 mins or so. In fact, we were safer to be left at that age than when we were teenagers.

Totally fine.

I leave mine from about 8.

Now they are 10 and 15 and have no worries about it.

You have your phone...

My daughter is nearly 5 , I don't leave her -ever. There is a massive difference between 5-8-9 ish!

That's a tough one, it depends how sensible your 11 year old is. I looked after my younger DSis at 11 and never any problems.

Thanks for all replies everyone, much appreciated. They are usually sensible and get on ok. They are both my DCs, one is not a cousin, that was just mentioned in one of the replies.
I like the idea of checking in after 20 mins, this is what I will do. I have left them for that time before when nipping to local shop but it feels different going for run, not sure why! They know about not answering door and definitely will not attempt to cook! Most of close by neighbours are at work but there are some who could be called if really needed.
I will take a phone but reception unreliable here. I am feeling much happier now, thanks again everyone.

I would! Just as long as ypu take your phone.

Although does depend on the kids......if a meltdown/trashed house is likely upon return then I wouldnt. :)

I leave DS(9) home alone for up to an hour. He has the iPad, instructions not to answer the door or touch the log burner and to phone us if there is a problem.
To be fair he normally only gets 30 minutes on the iPad so I suspect the house would need to burn down before he called us back :o

They're plenty old enough to be home alone for a little while. Do they not already walk to school / friends houses etc alone? An 11 year old could be sensible enough to go to town without an adult or catch a train to another city.

I'm surprised at the level of shock about a 5 year old being home alone. It's totally normal in most of the rest of the world. Here (Germany) children walk themselves to and from school from year 1. Parents take them in on their first day and from then on the walk with friends. Some parents put out big colourful footprints to help their child remember the way if they're likely to forget. I find it alarming how many limits UK children have on their independence and development.

Go for a run!my dad would do this! He would put me un his room with the tv and books and put the alarm in and go for a jog for an hour. Im still here 17 years later!!

yes go. set rules, take mobile, enjoy.