What age can I leave my children in the car while I shop?

[Tinseltower]

Today I left my 9 and 7 year old i. The car alone for about 15 mins. Windows down, in the shade and mild day. Is this really irresponsible? Car wasn’t hot at all on my return, yet some people think I’m stupid for doing this.

What age would you leave your children alone for a short amount of time?

[SequinsOnEverything]

I leave my 8 and 3 year old if I'm going to a corner shop kind of shop, I'm parked right outside, I'm in and out in 5 mins max. They are sensible enough and the 8 year old knows to come and get me if needed.

[Ansumpasty]

I leave my 3 and 6 yo if I’m running into a small shop to get a few things, I just lock the car.
I’m gone max 5 mins...I wouldn’t leave them to go into a big supermarket where I’m far away, though.

[Noqont]

Really worrying if NT child can't be trusted not to play with handbrake.

Very worrying.

[Noqont]

I think leaving a child alone home is legal from 10 years old?

There's no lower legal age. It boils down to common sense and assessment of risk by the parents.

[Larasshadow]

I have left my 6 year old with my 11 year old in the car whilst popping in for one or two items. Wouldn't leave just my youngest.

To who said to leave them at home if it's only 15 minutes... what if the shop is 10 minutes drive away? That would mean leaving them for up to 35 minutes.

[enike]

"It boils down to common sense and assessment of risk by the parents."

exactly

parents who can trust their children to behave normal can leave them for 15 mins in a car, surely? at 7 and 9

parents who think their children need supervision 24/7 dont trust their children or want to be an important supermum, feeling morally superior and producing children who they dont trust to be left alone for 15 mins and who will play with a handbrake at 9 years old

I mean.... really?? :)

[egginacup]

I do quite often- in a space just outside the supermarket, if I’m just rushing in for a few bits. They are perfectly sensible. I’d be less inclined to in this weather though due to the heat.

[Ohmydayslove]

Ah the exploding car mumsnet obsession.

Depends on the kid and how long.

At 9 my oldest was more then capable of staying at home if I pooped to the shop and looked after younger siblings. No more than 30 mins though.

[Iceweasel]

The replies on these threads make me laugh. My 9 yr old was catching bus then walking home and letting himself in with a key (elder sister there few minutes before or after so he needed own key).
So was mine, without the elder sister. I wouldn't have left him in the car any younger than I would have left him at home though. Unless I could see him from the shop.

I would not leave a child that I wouldn't leave alone in the care of a child under 10.

[Celestia26]

I'm shocked by people saying they wouldn't leave 11 year olds on their own in a car for half an hour! At 11 children should be going to school on their own

[Trialsmum]

It’s a sad state of affairs when NT 9 year olds can’t be trusted not to mess with the handbrake!
I leave 9 year old ds if I’m popping in for a few bits but I wouldn’t for a full shop.

[ltk]

I think they are perfectly capable of staying in the car for 20 minutes alone. I just don't know why I would leave them there. They come in with me and help with the shopping. To be honest it has never occurred to me to leave them in the car. I don't think it's a safety issue.

[Ohmydayslove]

I would have left my 9 year old in the car for a short shop if his younger siblings were asleep. He had his phone and his common sense.

I think if you can’t trust your 9 year old not to be a prat in a parked car in a busy supermarket for a few minutes that’s worrying.

[springmachine]

If I get left in the car for longer than 5 minutes I find it hard not to slowly release the handbreak and fiddle with everything.

No idea why.

I'm 32

[Ohmydayslove]

Springmachine

[MollyDaydream]

My 7yo would be fine. He plays out unsupervised.

[Boredandtired]

Surely this depends where you live and where you would be leaving them? I would only leave mine with one of my teenagers as there's some weirdos about. Unless you can see the vehicle. My 9 yr old is perfectly capable of being sensible but I don't think it's appropriate to leave her out of sight, she's a child.
It's the same with leaving them at home, there may be no limit but if something happens then you will be held responsible.

[Tabathatwitchett]

I wouldn't leave a child alone in a car who wasn't capable of being left home alone. I would argue that a car is more dangerous than a house.

[Tabathatwitchett]

I would have left my 9 year old in the car for a short shop if his younger siblings were asleep. He had his phone and his common sense

So you're using your 9 year old to babysit younger siblings??

[Iceweasel]

Regarding the ages of the children in the OP, I would leave a 9 year old. I, personally, wouldn't leave a 7 year old (I didn't leave my child until they were 8). I would not leave a 9 year old in charge of a younger child, they are too young for that responsibility in my opinion.

[RitaMills]

I leave my 8 year old in the car if I know I’m going to be less than 10 mins and my car is near to the shop so a bank or convince store or somewhere like that. Not a supermarket though as they are too big to find me in plus I’m never less than 10 mins in one and I wouldn’t trust him to get bored and come and try to find me. I do know a few kids his age who would be absolutely fine and well behaved in a car for more than 10 mins though so his age isn’t the issue.

[Cleanermaidcook]

I leave the 8 and 10 year olds, in the car, at home, playing out unsupervised. No one has kidnapped them yet- or the 25 year old that I leave all over the place!

[enike]

Springmachine :) :)

I would be more concerned that the 12 years old would drive away, if they are left in the car - that was my brother

maybe just take the kids with you to the shop and (as somebody said sensibly) make them help with the shopping, assigning them task even?

But as somebody said, it definitely depends on the surroundings and the safety of the place

I used to travel by bus at 7 to school alone... I had my own key.... but nowadays its not so safe maybe

I think the issue is some parents make their life mission to supervise their children 24/7, because they dont have any other ambitions or skills than to be a perfect helicopter-mother, like " I would never leave my child in the car, uhhh ohhh pearl-clutching" :)

common sense... but also I am aware the circumstances are not the same everywhere

but still

[Pompom42]

I'd say no, not until they are at secondary school. Def not junior school age, and the 7 year old especially is far too young

[Sharkwithknees]

Christ. I've no need to leave my 8 year old, but if I had to, I could trust her without hesitation. She would sit and read a book and/or sing along to the radio fine for 15 minutes. Seriously, some 7 year olds who couldn't be trusted with a handbrake for a short amount of time or unable to crack a window if they got too hot??