AIBU to leave 8 yr old at home with 13 year old?

[babysitting283]

My 11 year old will need collecting from a club once a week at 8.15pm from September. My youngest child who will be 8 years 11 months by then is always in bed asleep by 7.30pm and has never been known to wake and is a very sensible child. Would I be unreasonable to leave my 13 year old (who will be 13 years 8 months by then) in charge of this one younger sibling at home whilst I drive less than 2 miles to do pick up? Unfortunately there is no one to lift share with. Should take 5 minutes each way maximum as no traffic at 8.15pm. Otherwise realistically youngest child will not get to bed until almost 9pm and will be tired for the rest of the school week as they are a very active child who needs their sleep.

So long as you feel they are both mature enough there's no problem and she knows going to bed that should she wake up and there's just her DB there she it's nothing to worry about then go for it.

It prob won't take more than half an hour, will it? I'm sure it'll be fine.

Absolutely fine and I wouldn’t pay a penny, it’s part and parcel of being a family

Yes I would. I leave my 12 and 9 year olds alone for short periods of time when I have to pop out nearby. I think it’s good for them to have a little bit of independence.

I would have to lock up the x box, my sixteen yr old would not notice the house burning down with his headphones on

No problem with it. A 13 yr should be able to that bit of responsibility at that age. I wouldn't be paying them either!

Yes, fine. I left my 14 year with a 12 and 9 year old recently overnight due to an emergency - the neighbours were aware and I sat awake in A&E all night. They were fine and the younger two were unaware till the morning.

I would allow half an hour not much longer initially and increase as you become more confident and the dc become older.
As a rule I would never leave a child under 11/12 in the house alone, and 13 is not terribly old to know what to do in an emergency. It depends on whether you have good and kind neighbours nearby that are at home and your children know well, is your area safe and are you nearby in case of emergency.

I would never allow a 13 year old I didn't know very well look after my children or young children. My dd is very mature for her age, looking after very young children is a huge responsibility.

So yes definitely in answer to your question half an hour would be fine.

I think it's fine as long as the thirteen year old is in agreement and benefits from the arrangement i.e. Is paid.

I don't think it' should be the default to babysit younger siblings, they didn't choose to have them and they are not their responsibility.

As long as your neighbours aren't meth cooks and there isn't a serial killer on the loose in your area targeting tweens and young teenagers, than it should be fine.

FWIW I was babysitting an infant and a toddler at that age for a few hours in the evening.

I'd do this.

Similar to you, OP. Leave my almost-13 year old with the 5 year old sleeping in bed while I collect the middle one from his activity. Seems fairer than dragging the little one out, half-asleep in horrid weather at night. I did worry about what was 'legal' but couldn't find definitive advice.