leaving 12year old at home alone while we're at work?

[mofro]

Im FT at work and DH is self employed workung long hours. Eldesh DH is in Y7, settled well at new school. Hes' s dropped to school by us in the morning, and has a bus pass for coming home, has a house key and is at home alone from about 4.30pm until we get home for6.30/7pm.
He knows house rules,;is v sensible and is either doing homework, tv or playstation.- doesnt answer door or phone unless its us.
Have 2 other DC who go to family member after school which i pay for.
Had a lecture from my Dsis about abandoing him, how its wrong, what if house burnt down etc....and its kinds stuck in my head!!

Been a SAHM for years, doing crappy atrempts at self employment so i waa there for kuds and now finally gave a great FT job..but feeling guilty....

Was told by another family member she wdnt pop round this half term as i needed to spend time with my own kids as they never see me :-0

Very happy and confident kuds...but they alao moan a lot to me and obviously others about me and DH working so much, i.e. full time

Wow, I wouldn't leave my 7 year old alone during the day for extended periods of time.

But..... at his school the parents are encouraged, very strongly, to BACK OFF. And let the children get on with things. To not always check they have their things, to drop them off and not walk them to the class area. They are fostering an independence. If a child routinely forgets things then instead of US reminding them all the time, the teachers want us to let them know, and they will work with them to teach them methods of remembering, getting them into routines, etc.

I have to be honest and admit this has been really hard for me, but I have made myself back off, and let him go and them work with him in the areas that he needs help with.

So by 12, yes I think DS will be ready to be left at home for periods of time. Because NOW, while he is 7, he is being taught the skills of managing himself.

7 is ridiculously young.

What country is it?