Leave 8 year old alone for 15 mins?

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My DS (8) is currently unwell. If he is still off school, WIBU to leave him in bed while I take my DD to Nursery. It’s a 5 min walk so 15 mins max. I have never left him alone before but he is generally sensible and follows instructions.

How does he feel about being left? Is he sensible?

My ds is 9.7 and no way would I leave him!!
If your ds is sensible then fine. My ds isn't!!

All of mine aged 8 for this short time would have been totally fine.

Be preserved for the flaming op. Fire, flood, paedophille burglar, you dying on the school run, your car catching fire on the drive and setting fire to your house, chocking, falling down the stairs and a possible terrorist attack though.

Sorry, irrational person here who would bring him no matter what. Is there anyone at all you can call to help?

How unwell? Throwing up? If just a little unwell I would make him walk there and back. Anything can happen in 15 minutes. Better safe than sorry.

Yeah of COURSE it's OK. Though many people will tell you that you are wrong to do it, they will all have left THEIR kid(s) alone for longer than that. (And probably at a younger age!)

The more angry and ranty people are with you for doing it, the more likely it is they they have done it. It's just guilt.

If course it's fine! He's 8 not 3!

I'd leave my (sensible) 5yo in this situation, with suitable instructions.

My neighbour left her five year old son in bed for about 10 minutes while she walked her older son to school. When she came back, he was still in bed but dressed as Father Christmas,

Fine here. My 8 year old is fine with her head buried in the tablet. No cooking, eating or opening the door. Mobile phone number to hand. No dramas.

I’m normally in the no way camp for this sort of thing, but I’m in two minds about this.

If he’s ill, he obviously doesn’t want to be dragged out. If it’s only going to be for 15 minutes and he’s very sensible, then I would consider it.

Are there any neighbours that could just keep an eye out?

Does he have access to a phone and another adult he can contact if things don't go to plan? If yes, then I would leave him.

I would. My DH disagrees. 15 minutes walking, leave him phone number & strict instruction on not moving from bed/sofa, no answering door. Realistically what could happen?

Depends on his illness. Do you have a partner...

I’d probably ask someone to take my youngest if possible as wouldn’t like to leave my ill child alone in the home. Not because I think something bad will happen but more because they’re ill.

Yes, I'd leave him unless very unwell and likely to be distressed by your absence or there's a possibility of chocking on vomit.

At her request, I have started leaving my (sensible) 8 yr old DD for short periods to drop others off/pop to the shops etc. All fine.

I'm sure he will be fine, but if you are worrying, is it possible for you and him to be on a phone the whole time?

I'd leave mine yes.

Yes, I have done that when one of them has been poorly and I’ve had to do the school run with the other. I just tell them not to answer the door to anyone.

Are you near a zoo though? Escaped tigers. Anything can happen in 15 minutes.

Yes definitely if you trust your DC. There's nothing to stop you calling your landline and having them on speaker. Or use a walkie talkie? Kids still have these right?

He'll be fine.

I would. I might let me neighbour know as a safety net though.

I would yes

I leave my 7 year old alone for a similar amount of time. She's perfectly safe, sensible and happy.