Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To leave 7yo ds home alone for 10 mins

26 replies

LittleLionMansMummy · 15/12/2017 09:30

Before I get flamed, I know it's not ideal, I've never done it before and it's because he's very ill and we have no medicine in the house (used it all on 1yo dd recently - she's at the cm). He has a high temp, can barely keep his eyes open and has chills, says his legs are painful and he really can't come with me in the car. He's almost never like this and usually will carry on regardless so I think it's a flu type virus. My first instinct was not to leave him but he really isn't well and needs medicine. He's just lying in bed mostly asleep, so he's going nowhere.

OP posts:

TeeniefaeTroon · 15/12/2017 09:34

No, don't do it. What if he has a fit and he's alone? I'd contact the chemist to see if they can deliver or put out a facebook request for someone to get the medicine for you. Our town has it's own page and I know if I was in dire need that someone would help me.

minisoksmakehardwork · 15/12/2017 09:34

Is there a neighbour or friend who could pop some in for you, or maybe has some so you can dose up for the next few hours and both go out in a little while?

Normally I am quite blasé and would say a child of 7, who is ill and not up to much would be fine for you to take a quick walk to the convenience store. But I took a tumble outside this morning, on black ice, while walking the kids to school. I'd hate to think of you doing the same and getting hurt worse than a grazed knee and bruised ego (another parent saw me and my own children laughed), leaving your child for longer than expected.

TomatoTomAto · 15/12/2017 09:35

No I wouldn't. Especially if he's as ill as you say.
I'd try asking if anyone could drop some round first. If there's no one then I'd be bundling him up and taking with me.

ididntmeanitlikethat · 15/12/2017 09:36

Do you have a neighbour who could nip in and watch ds perhaps?

Or maybe a friend/family member who could drop off the medication?

Hopeful103 · 15/12/2017 09:36

Poor ds. Is there anyone that can sit with him for 15mins? Neighbour, friend? I wouldn't leavr him if he is ill, just in case. Does the pharmacy do deliveries?

Original poster

LittleLionMansMummy · 15/12/2017 09:40

All our neighbours are at work, family members either slightly too far away to put them out (20 min drive) or working. We do have a local Facebook page though so that's a really good idea.

My biggest worry is actually something happening to me while I'm out and him being left alone for longer than anticipated...

OP posts:

FlakeBook · 15/12/2017 10:08

A 20 min drive is nothing.

I'm pretty relaxed but I would leave a child who is that ill alone. And 7 is just slightly too young.

MrsU88 · 15/12/2017 10:13

I would say a 5-10 min walk would usually be fine...but NOT if he is poorly....anything could happen in those 10 minutes. And with the snow and ice, you could easily slip and he could be left alone for however long.

Personally, i would go for either the facebook plea or pick him up and put him in the car.

Blackteadrinker77 · 15/12/2017 10:14

I wouldn't.

NameChangedAndForgotOldName · 15/12/2017 10:15

I would post on Facebook asking for help.
If a local friend it this on theirs, not even a very close friend, I'd drop some of for them, I'm a mum, I know what it's like

MrTrebus · 15/12/2017 10:16

I second the Facebook post. A Facebook acquaintance of mine recently posted this sort of thing on there and I picked up the medicine on my way home from work for her (so about 45 mins after she posted) it was so skin off my nose at all and she was so grateful (her DD was 18 months for context and couldn't take her out and no car etc) you'd be surprised what even friends that you're not that close to will do!

BrieAndChilli · 15/12/2017 10:16

I had a similar situation recently.

DS2 who has just turned 7 was really ill with a flu type virus, he slept all day and I had to wake him up to go and pick his sister up from school (5 minute drive, no traffic)
We got back home and he went back to sleep straight away (after crying and moaning the whole time in the car)
An hour later I then had to go pick his brother up from an afterschool club so was feeling bad about having to wake him up again. DD (age 9) said she would stay home with him.
I decided to leave them but then spoke to my daughter on the phone the whole time so I knew they were ok. DS never woke up and I was gone about 10 minutes.
It was a tough call and I wouldn’t have left him on his own either asleep or awake or left them if he had been awake

Snowman41 · 15/12/2017 10:18

He really CAN go with you in the car. I mean it's not ideal but leaving a very unwell 7yo at home is even less so.

SleepingStandingUp · 15/12/2017 10:18

Facebook call out or call pharmacy

SometimesMaybe · 15/12/2017 10:19

Why don’t you heat up the car and then let him lie on the back seat with a blanket over him. Leave him in the car whilst you nip into the shop.

MyDcAreMarvel · 15/12/2017 10:20

No leaving a very sick child could be dangerous. Just carry him to the car and cover with a blanket.

Stickaforkinimdone · 15/12/2017 10:23

Whereabouts in the country are you OP?

theEagleIsLost · 15/12/2017 10:25

and he really can't come with me in the car.

I have to admit I don't get that - quick trip to car strap in with blankets and bowl if he feels sick - but then I don't have a car so had even fewer options when similary caught out.

AmUsername · 15/12/2017 10:31

Where are you OP?

Iloveanimals · 15/12/2017 10:36

Ask for help. Please don'teave him alone x

SandLand · 15/12/2017 10:41

Leave a fit and well 7 yr old alone, no problems.

Leave an ill 7 yr old alone, no.

CaledonianQueen · 15/12/2017 10:42

I agree with posting on facebook, I had to do this when my two were little, a lovely lady who lives around the corner from me saw my post and popped down to the chemist for me.

1happyhippie · 15/12/2017 10:47

Where are you op?
I would wrap him up and put him in the car if I couldn't find someone to help. I know it's not ideal but it's much safer.

Natsku · 15/12/2017 10:47

Not when he's that ill (I have no problem with leaving a 7 year old home alone otherwise but his condition sounds quite worrying, I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving even an older child like that). Def try posting on your local facebook page, if I saw someone posting in your situation asking someone to pick up some medicine I would definitely do it and I very much doubt I'm the only one who feels that way so there's a good chance someone will do it for you.

Original poster

LittleLionMansMummy · 15/12/2017 10:54

Thanks all, he's fast asleep hence why I'd struggle to even get him in the car.

My neighbour is now in over the road, she's lovely and would happily look after him so I'm going to knock on the door.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2