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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave a ten yr old home alone for an hour

181 replies

Florabella · 19/01/2017 07:01

My younger child is starting a new activity and my (newly) 10 yr old doesn't want to get dragged along as it will mean hanging around outside for half an hour. It's a ten minute walk away. She is very sensible and I'm sure she would be ok at home, but i still feel a bit worried (maybe worried that I would be judged!) would you do it?

OP posts:
HelenDenver · 19/01/2017 07:02

Yes, I would.

Lilaclily · 19/01/2017 07:03

Yes

Msqueen33 · 19/01/2017 07:03

My friend lets her ten year old cycle a lot of places and also take her eight year old sister to the park (I'm a bit 😐 On that one). If she is sensible and it's very local why not.

MirandaWest · 19/01/2017 07:03

I'd do it.

KERALA1 · 19/01/2017 07:04

Yes. They'll be walking to secondary school alone in a few months. We are gradually cutting the apron strings.

Wineloffa · 19/01/2017 07:04

I would too.

Twooter · 19/01/2017 07:04

Yes, but go over 'the rules' first. Eg only answer phone if it shows your number, no answering door to anyone.

oklumberjack · 19/01/2017 07:06

Yes I would and I do (with my ds whose 10).

He will happily make himself a cuppa, play minecraft or watch a DVD and barely notices when I come back! He knows how to use the phone and has my mobile number. He's not allowed to answer the door,

DowhatIwanttodo · 19/01/2017 07:06

Dd is nearly ten and I am preparing her to do this. We have discussed what she would do if someone knocked the door or if there was an emergency. Depends how sensible the child is of course. There is no way I could have left my other daughter at that age.

Original poster
Florabella · 19/01/2017 07:09

Thanks - nice to have the reassurance that others would do it too. I think because I will be the first of any mums I know to do it, it made me feel unsure. She is ultra sensible, so no worries about that

OP posts:
ParadiseCity · 19/01/2017 07:10

Definitely. My 10 yo has been left since age 9.

Rules are:
Ignore the doorbell. Let the phone go to answer phone and only pick up if it's me/DH. No cooking, kettle or chopping. And of course we all know the fire drill.

GinIsIn · 19/01/2017 07:12

Yes, I would with certain ground rules eg. Don't answer the door, no cooking, no leaving the house etc.

PenelopeFlintstone · 19/01/2017 07:12

Millions of 10 year olds do it after school every day.

Downstairspoo · 19/01/2017 07:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DMCWelshCakes · 19/01/2017 07:16

Yes if she is sensible and knows what the rules are.

Gileswithachainsaw · 19/01/2017 07:23

Yes definitely

UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 19/01/2017 07:44

It depends on how sensible your dd is, but I would say most 10 year olds are more than capable of being left for an hour or so.

Mine were both left from this age. We had rules about no cooking, not answering the door etc.

The only issue we had was one Sunday, when ds1 was 10, he didn't want to come to church so we agreed he could stay home, he'd stayed home alone before. Somehow he became quite convinced that he could hear someone moving around in the house (thought it was a burglar) and hid under the dining table, tried to phone me but I had phone switched to silent because we were in church. He was beside himself when we got home which made me realise that maybe he wasn't as ready as I thought he was. I also learned to put my phone on vibrate and have it in my pocket so I could answer him in future!

Trifleorbust · 19/01/2017 07:59

Provided she is sensible and knows exactly where I am and what to do in a crisis, I would leave her for 30 minutes. Not much more.

Artandco · 19/01/2017 08:01

I would. You being just 10 mins away is good prep for when they are further away at secondary.
Leave with basic mobile incase needed, and rules.

Craigie · 19/01/2017 12:26

Yes, but with clear rules. Don't answer the door or the phone, and have a plan for what to do in an emergency. Have done with my 10 year old. It does help if they have a mobile and you are able to contact them.

TheNayway1984 · 19/01/2017 12:31

I think if you feel your child is sensible enough then it's totally your decision! Maybe do a test run as in nip to shop for 10 mins and actually knock the door to check she definitely doesn't answer it! Might reassure you a little bit, and I agree with others at secondary school most children make their own way which involves many more dangers yet as parents are aren't judged on that? Hope it goes well 😀

caffelatte100 · 19/01/2017 12:41

Yes, I wouldn't really hesitate at 10 years old. I leave mine when I go out in the evening (with 12 year old brother) and my 10 year old walked to school alone at 6.

JaquieFromTheBlock · 19/01/2017 12:42

Depends on the child but yes I would have with mine

DarkAngel1984 · 19/01/2017 12:45

When we first moved to my parents current house I was 10 and had moved to the local school but my sister couldn't get a place for a few months. My mum used to leave me and I used to walk myself to school in the mornings. It was one the road but I would have been left for over half an hour on my own while she took my sister to school. It does really depend on how sensible your 10 year old is. If you feel confident then do it

welovepancakes · 19/01/2017 12:45

I'm in the minority here, but I wouldn't do it

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