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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave DC (7&9) alone

150 replies

iismum · 02/02/2017 14:59

I go to the gym before doing the school run a couple of days a week. I leave the DC at home and they get on with getting ready for school on their own (usually, but there's time to nag them into if they haven't). DH is in but usually asleep, so they can go and wake him up if they need to but they never do.

DH is going to be away next week and I'm really not keen to miss my gym sessions as I'm training for an event and this is crunch time. We live in a flat and know everyone else on the stair. We have friends on the next floor down who have a DC of a similar age and will be in at this time getting ready for school themselves.

WIBU to leave the kids on their own in the flat for around an hour whilst I'm out, explaining that if they need anything they should go downstairs (outside our flat) to the neighbour rather than upstairs (in our flat) to DH?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 02/02/2017 15:00

No I wouldn't do it at that age

dementedpixie · 02/02/2017 15:01

Could you leave them with the neighbour instead?

Thefishtankneedswater · 02/02/2017 15:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

jackieeee · 02/02/2017 15:02

Yabu - the gym can wait.

JennyOnAPlate · 02/02/2017 15:02

Absolutely not. 9 year old fine, but 7 year old no.

MirandaWest · 02/02/2017 15:03

What time would you be out? Would they be awake when you left, and how long would you be? To me there's a difference between a DH being asleep but there and not there at all.

I don't think I'd do it, and I am more on the line of leaving children from a younger age than some.

longdiling · 02/02/2017 15:03

9 plus an older child I would but 7 feels too young for me. I can't imagine leaving my 6.5 year old with her 10 year old brother.

Original poster
iismum · 02/02/2017 15:03

Hmm. I do kind of feel that I shouldn't ... I leave at about 6.20, which is not that early for my DC but probably a bit early to expect a neighbour to look after them. Maybe I can do some kind of intense exercise at home ..? I hate it when DH goes away, it totally screws up my gym routine!

OP posts:
Trifleorbust · 02/02/2017 15:04

Of course I wouldn't.

CremeEggThief · 02/02/2017 15:05

I agree the 9 year old would probably be fine, but 7 is just too young.

longdiling · 02/02/2017 15:05

Yes I'd go for exercise at home! I hate my exercise routine being disrupted too so I feel your pain. Fitnessblender.com has some great work outs and it's free.

iamapixiebutnotaniceone · 02/02/2017 15:05

Hmm the mind boggles! Surely you know that is a terrible idea?

Agiraffeisnotacat · 02/02/2017 15:05

No, they are too young.

Original poster
iismum · 02/02/2017 15:07

Ok! You are right, it isn't a good idea. The flat really are right on top of each other, it's just a few steps for them to go down to reach the neighbour - but still, I agree that I shouldn't do it.

OP posts:
PrettyLittleBrownEyedMe · 02/02/2017 15:12

I definitely wouldn't do this. In my view they are too young to be left alone, not only in case of something going wrong but also because I think it's nice to have someone there 'caring' and overseeing them organising themselves. I didn't do anything like this with mine until they were about 12 (but I may have been over-hovering....)

Snowflakes1122 · 02/02/2017 15:14

To go to the gym? Hmm No, I wouldn't at their ages.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 02/02/2017 15:14

Absolutely not. I see you have said you wont but I can't believe you even asked!!

brokenheartdog · 02/02/2017 15:15

I wouldn't have considered this till mine went to secondary really.

Mulberry72 · 02/02/2017 15:16

Definitely not!

Your gym session will have to wait.

pilates · 02/02/2017 15:32

No

user1484578224 · 02/02/2017 15:33

interesting priorities

RB68 · 02/02/2017 15:34

No the answer is that it is not unavoidable ie can do exercise at home or miss one session or do a run at lunch time or SOMETHING is possible so def. No

TheSnorkMaidenReturns · 02/02/2017 15:34

No, definitely not at 7 unless it is an life or death emergency. Sadly the gym is not!

unfortunateevents · 02/02/2017 15:35

It's a no from me. The 9 year old is too young and definitely too young to be left with a 7 year old as well. All very well to say that they can go down to the neighbour but the type of emergency which might happen is the very thing which would prevent them from getting to the neighbour in the first place! Can you not go in the evening when it might be possible to get someone to look after them?

yikesanotherbooboo · 02/02/2017 15:36

Sorry , no…their safety and well being is your priority…like pps I think 9 is too young to have responsibility for a 7 year old who might fall/be sick/have a nosebleed and need comforting