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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wibu to leave him at home?

61 replies

extremepie · 24/01/2014 17:03

Ds2 has fallen asleep after coming home from school and now I have to go out again to pick up ds1. Wibu to leave him here while I go out and get him?
I will taking a taxi and the school is close so wouldn't be more than 5-10 minutes and if I wake him up he will extremely grumpy and I will have to attempt to re dress him as he half stripped off after coming home so will be even more grumpy :( He will probably scream and cry the whole way there and back if I wake him :(

On the other hand if he stays here I can go, pick up ds1 and be back calmly and in a matter of minutes while he sleeps peacefully in my bed :D

Wibu? plus it's freezing and pissing it down with rain so he will get wet and cold too :(

OP posts:
SofaKing · 24/01/2014 17:22

No. I left 6 yr old ds1 in the house for five minutes while I took the dog for a pee across the road. I only did this because I asked him what he would do if there was a fire, and he answered he would grab the phone to call 999 and run outside straight away.

I felt so, so anxious even though it was only for a few minutes. I don't think I could have done this if he was asleep, if he wakes up he will be distraught and not know where you are.

MummyPig24 · 24/01/2014 17:22

I absolutely wouldn't. No way. But he's your kid so it's your call.

Eastpoint · 24/01/2014 17:22

No. We found a little girl in our street who had fallen asleep, woken up & couldn't find her mum so went outside. I rang 999 & took her inside. DH said he wouldn't have been able to do that due to risk of being accused of abduction.

MissPryde · 24/01/2014 17:23

No. Absolutely not. He's too young, and leaving him sleeping is the worst - he could wake and have no idea where you've gone.

If he's sleeping deeply you could always try to dress him, bundle him up in some blankets and carry him into the taxi without waking him. If he doesn't nap that deeply, you have to wake him up.

TeeBee · 24/01/2014 17:23

You don't need to dress him. Wrap a lovely warm blanket around him and find him a packet of chocolate buttons to soften the blow.

GoofyIsACow · 24/01/2014 17:23

No

itsnotthateasy · 24/01/2014 17:24

No, Id really not risk it . . It is also illegal until they are 10 or 11 I believe.

Joysmum · 24/01/2014 17:24

Even if he was old enough, I'd never go out without telling my child where I was going, how long I was expecting to be, leaving my mobile number, reminding what to do if there is a problem EVERY TIME I went out.

2blessed · 24/01/2014 17:25

I think i'd prefer to deal with a grumpy dc as opposed to leaving a 6 year old dc at home alone.

IneedAsockamnesty · 24/01/2014 17:26

Your joking right?

WorraLiberty · 24/01/2014 17:26

It's not illegal but it's a very bad idea

Just bundle him up in a blanket and take him with you in the taxi.

itsnotthateasy · 24/01/2014 17:26

Oh, I am wrong ... .

I googled and there is no age limit .. . How bizarre.

However, if something occurred and police had to break in the SS would be called on you (I know that's the extreme outcome)

EauPea · 24/01/2014 17:27

Really??????

2blessed · 24/01/2014 17:28

I'd prefer to deal with the grumpy dc if I'm honest.

IneedAsockamnesty · 24/01/2014 17:29

In the uk it is not illegal as we have no age limit.

However the likelihood of an under 8 home alone not being considered to be neglect is slim to none

2blessed · 24/01/2014 17:29

Sorry for posting twice, didn't think it posted first time... Blush

EauPea · 24/01/2014 17:29

Posted too soon when my jaw hit the keyboard

Totally and utterly unreaonable for even thinking it.

ShatnersBassoon · 24/01/2014 17:31

Definitely not. Far too frightening for a 5yr old to wake up and find their mum has gone with no warning.

itsnotthateasy · 24/01/2014 17:31

Well at least OP asked ? Shows that She is in two minds herself ..

Did you take your DS with you in end OP ?

Sirzy · 24/01/2014 17:34

I hope you took him with you. No way should a 6 year old be left home alone for that length of time.

cory · 24/01/2014 17:38

I would never leave a child who was asleep and didn't know I was going even if quite a bit older than this. When you start leaving children, it should be a carefully prepared exercise to help them feel confident rather than a potential recipe for panic.

BlackholesAndRevelations · 24/01/2014 17:41

Wow, ywbu to leave him so I hope you didn't.

On another note, if he sleeps for an hour at 5, surely that will mess up his bedtime? I can't let mine sleep that late or its super super late to bed!

Cranky01 · 24/01/2014 17:46

If you have no heating, why is he not dressed

Migsy1 · 24/01/2014 17:50

No - He is not old enough to get out of the house to seek help if something goes wrong. You could be delayed and end up away longer than you expect. He would be very frightened if he wakes up because he would not know that you would only be a few minutes. He might stand on a chair to get something and fall off, etc.

I wouldn't leave any of my children without letting them know where I was going and mine are a lot older. Even my 12 year old would be freaked if he fell asleep and I was gone when he woke up.

Original poster
extremepie · 24/01/2014 18:05

Just picked him up and yes I did take him with - I would never really have considered leaving him as he has ASD and no danger awareness, just one of those times when I feel so frustrated because I look at my peaceful sleeping Ds and I just know the shitstorm that is to come for both of us if I wake him up but I have no choice :( Especially when I have a cold and feel like crap myself!
Fwiw in the end it was just as awful as I expected, he screamed, he cried, he refused to sit down and keep a seatbelt on, he's too heavy for me to carry the whole way so I had to half carry him while he kicked and struggled. Stressful for all of us including the taxi driver :/

It's times like this I fucking hate being a single parent :(

OP posts:
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