To leave DS at home?

[NotSoDesperateHousewife]

He is 8, 9 in March so not just 8. He's not well, but not drastically, just a stomach bug. I've just picked him up from school.

He's now happy enough tucked up in my bed watching TV. I don't want to have to go out but I have to get his brother from school, DS2 is 7 so far too young to walk home alone and my only friend who could have picked up for me isn't doing the school run today as its her birthday.

WIBU to leave DS1 for 15-20 mins whilst I nip to get DS2? My neighbours are always in next door, know us, and he knows to get help in (very unlikely) case of fire.

I'd do it.

I'd do it. I pop to the shop for 15 mins and leave my very sensible 7 year old happily ensconced in a book. She hasn't moved by the time I get back.

Yes I would for that short a trip. We started leaving Dd for about 20 mins at home when she was 9.

He'll be fine. If he has an upset stomach and needs to be near a toilet, home is the best place for him.

I'm sure you will be extra cautious on the way to school and back.

yes id leave him

Yes, do it. I left my DS for the first time at this age. He had a bad cold and I had to get different anti-biotics from the GP, as I'd reacted badly to penicillin. Far better off in bed, than traipsing out on an icy cold February morning.

I'd leave him. I have an 8 yr old. I often leave him up 45 minutes or so. He plays Lego, watches Dr Who. He knows how to phone my mob and not to answer the door.

Often I come back and he hadn't moved.

Either ask your neighbour to pop round and sit. Or take him with you.
Is it 15/20 mins by car? Because that's quite a way.
What's the hassle in shoving a coat on him and taking him with you? Take a bowl in the car in case he throws up and you have the school toilets if he needs to go to the loo whilst you're out.

It's fine for an 8 yr to kn theoretically what to do in an emergency but actually in one, would he panick? I wouldn't have left my two aged 8.

I'd do it. Put a phone by him and let the neighbour know, if possible. If it'd make you feel better (and you have two phones) you could always be on the phone with him the whole time.

Do it op.

I don't know any school these days that allows 7 year olds to walk home alone without am adult. Not in the UK.

Yes - fine. And the story about the baby home alone is exactly why you should never leave a baby (or toddler, or child who isn't old enough to understand the emergency procedures) alone - not even for one minute while you go to the post box.

But an 8 year old who has the relevant phone numbers and who is happy to be left alone - absolutely fine IMO. As long as he's locked in safely enough to be safe from intruders but knows how to get out in case of a fire and has a phone at hand with 2 emergency numbers (in case you did get run over god forbid!).

Son schools do allow 7 year olds to walk home alone. Our local one does if a parent has given written permission.

Yes, I would leave him. Try not to worry too much OP and hope he feels ok soon.

I would if he'a generally trustworthy. My mother left me for longer periods when younger and that was before mobile phones (not that that is ok, but less than half an hour at 8.5 is)

Really Topseyt is that UK? Not that I think it's bad but never come across it for years.

Bertandrussell- believe me it was awful as it was. But it's highly possible the the reason she was rushing and didn't look was because she was uncomfortable leaving the baby. I suspect she would have looked more carefully with the baby in her arms before crossing. It's a long time ago now. Her family will never know.

I would do it. Can't see there would be a problem

I'd do it. I have an 8 yr old (also 9 in March) and we've been leaving him for short periods for a few months now. As pp say often he stays in the exact same position - minecrafting/tv...
Only you know your child though. We have friends with a 9 yr old who they'd never leave because he's inquisitive and would likely play with matches etc

Yes, in qq UK.

Errr, "qq"? Where did that come from?

Thanks for the OK, I really question myself with things like this though I'm not really sure why to be honest! I did leave him and he was absolutely fine, probably better behaved than when I'm still home!

He doesn't look at all sick now though. Magical alone time obviously

If he's quite confident and will do as you've asked, I can't see a problem with it. I wouldn't do it with my girl who's 3 months older. But i can understand why people would..

I'd probably have left him too, OP, depending on how ill I thought he was. I leave DS (7) on his own for 10-20 minutes fairly often. But for PP, my DS is one of the only kids he knows who don't walk home by themselves. We live in a small town in Scotland, and the school actively encourages independence at this age. Some of his friends were walking home alone last year too. It's not safe for him to walk to our house cos too many roads to cross, with lots of parked cars, otherwise I would let him.