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AIBU?

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Original poster

Leaving children alone

44 replies

Cuddlequeen · 30/08/2016 16:08

So following on from an article I read in the daily snail that many more parents than I thought leave their children alone I thought I would ask general opinion as dh has an interview tomorrow morning while I'm at work and he has suggested leaving ds's and dd at home as he will only be an hour. Ds is 10, dd8 and ds7, they are very good not destructive and very responsible for their ages but I'm just not sure Hmm

OP posts:
AndNowItsSeven · 30/08/2016 17:03

No definitely not, I left my responsible 9 year old but I wouldn't leave an 8 and 7 year old alone on in the care of a ten year old.

Stormyseasallround · 30/08/2016 17:03

I'd also leave the 10 year old, but not in charge of the other two.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 30/08/2016 17:04

not for that long, I have left my 10 and 8 yr old to drive to the shop a mile away and come straight home but not for an hour

phoenix1973 · 30/08/2016 17:05

My child is 10 next month. I leave her for an hour on the rare occasion in daylight.
I need to get proper employment so she will need to return from school and be on her own in the house for the afternoon. We live next to the school.
She won't be ready to sort herself and lock up in the mornings for a good while yet.

ErgonomicallyUnsound · 30/08/2016 17:06

No, I wouldnt. Mine are 12 and 10 and JM more than happy to leave the 12 yo for an hour or two, and the 10 yo for 10 mins.

But never both together!

AppleSetsSail · 30/08/2016 17:08

I have a 10 year old and I leave him alone for an hour or two at a time. He's pretty sensible. I probably wouldn't leave him in charge of a 7 or 8 year old, certainly not both.

yummumto3girls · 30/08/2016 17:14

All way too young.

Trifleorbust · 30/08/2016 17:22

I might leave a ten year old alone for an hour, but not in charge of two much younger kids, no.

Acornantics · 30/08/2016 17:25

Ours are 13 and 10 and we do leave them for short periods (no more than an hour) at a time.

If it's just the 13 year old then we're happy to leave him longer, but we don't think it's fair for him to be responsible for his sibling for an extended period.

10 does feel young to be looking after younger siblings.

YelloDraw · 30/08/2016 17:30

10 on their own - probably. 10 with two younger siblings. No.

MissBattleaxe · 30/08/2016 17:30

No, don't do it OP. Get someone to watch them.

I can now leave my ten year old alone whilst I walk to the corner shops and back, but I take the six year old with me. Don't make a 10 yo be in charge. There are too many variables and too many risks. Not worth it.

7 is way too young to be left alone IMO.

Kit30 · 30/08/2016 17:34

All too young to be left alone by themselves and not fair to 10 year old to have the responsibility. Is there a neighbour who could step in to cover you for that hour?

DeathpunchDoris · 30/08/2016 17:47

It is up to you to gauge their maturity and whether they would cope in an emergency, should one arise. I thought this link might help, because if anything did happen - you would be charged with neglect (or possibly worse). Best wishes.

www.gov.uk/law-on-leaving-your-child-home-alone

Original poster
Cuddlequeen · 30/08/2016 22:05

For anyone still interested I managed to wangle the 7 yo into a normally fully booked holiday club for the day so ds and dd will be alone for max 1 hour. All had a discussion and they are quite happy but agreed that youngest ds would not have been a good idea

OP posts:
Natsku · 30/08/2016 22:09

Glad you found a solution you're all happy with OP

m0therofdragons · 30/08/2016 22:10

I still wouldn't based on the fact that if there was an emergency they'd call dh and I wouldn't want him worrying when he's at a job interview. But that's me.

AtSea1979 · 30/08/2016 22:12

No I wouldn't.

hownottofuckup · 30/08/2016 22:18

I still wouldn't. And a 20 min interview sounds a bit short.

kelashan · 30/08/2016 22:29

I only very recently started leaving my 11 and 13 year olds alone for an hour or two at any time. My 16 year old obviously sits with them if she is in the house. 7 is very young imo

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