To ask about leaving children home alone?

[ThisLittleKitty]

Whats the youngest you would leave a child home alone to pop to the shops? I know everyone's area is different so shops will be further away, but just looking for a general idea.

gillian if you don't want to do the same as many other parents of secondary age dc, and leave him whilst you work, that's up to you. But don't then complain about how tying it is. And certainly don't try and pretend it's the law.

And no, lots of us don't only work because we have family etc to provide childcare.

I leave DD2 (9) for twenty minutes or so with her older sister (11). We leave the 11 year old for an hour or two, she also gets the bus by herself.

Am going to apologize and I will never post any thing again, as am in the wrong but everything is only an opinion. Therefore every body can do what ever they want but as for me, I know where I stand the now, so that is fine. I will remove my self from this site. Sorry to of bothered you and I apologize for posting.

GillianLouise, your opinion is a problem because you've stated it as fact, that's all.

And I AM genuinely concerned that you are a childcare profession who knows nothing about child protection

GillianLouise, your opinion is a problem because you've stated it as fact, that's all.

And I AM genuinely concerned that you are a childcare profession who knows nothing about child protection

we leave my DS 10 alone for 20 odd minutes at the most. Usually to quickly run the dogs round the block or go to the shop. I used to stay on my own from aged 9 .

I was 11 when I was going to the stables etc alone, had solo responsibility for my horse (parents not horsey!)
I was a sensible child though

lil bit of an overreaction Gillian but knock yourself out

I would probably leave a mature 8yr old alone for up to 15 minutes if they were happily engrossed in something, but not a child any younger than that, unless I absolutely had to.