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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I leave son home alone?

44 replies

Stacey21x · 12/08/2018 21:38

Hello,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I have a dilemma, my son has come down with chicken pox. Spots started to appear this morning, he’s feeling pretty sorry for himself but that’s to be expected. The thing is I’m out of supplies, milk, bread and there’s only about 2 doses of calpol left. So the reality is that I need to get to the shop.

There is one directly across the road from my house. Literally across the road, 30 yards from my front door.

AIBU to leave him napping in the morning and nip to the shop for maximum 3-5 minutes? Or should I just bundle him up and take him?

OP posts:
Guavaf1sh · 12/08/2018 21:39

How old is he?

yellowstars · 12/08/2018 21:39

How old is he?

Winter7 · 12/08/2018 21:40

What age is He?

KindergartenKop · 12/08/2018 21:41

7 yes, 3 no.
Ask a neighbour to sit with him.

flowerythorns · 12/08/2018 21:41

Is he mobile?

SunflowerJo08 · 12/08/2018 21:42

Can't really answer without knowing how old he is but if he is under 8 then I would say bundle him up and take him with you especially as is so close.

Newjobworkwear · 12/08/2018 21:43

Depends on how old he is.
Maybe order shopping online to be delivered if you need supplies and he's too young to be left home alone

ShutUpBaz · 12/08/2018 21:45

Online shopping is your friend. Or, can you call the shop and ask them to put the stuff together for you to leg it over and pick up, maybe pay over the phone?

It does depend on his age though.

tinytreefrog · 12/08/2018 21:47

Really depends how old he is.

LIZS · 12/08/2018 21:50

Ask a neighbour to sit with him for 10 minutes or would they pick up what you need?

Knitjob · 12/08/2018 21:50

I would leave him if he's asleep. I think the risk of anything happening to him in the 5 minutes you are away is really really low. He will be fine.

upsideup · 12/08/2018 21:51

Really depends on the age and the child.
We have a little corner shop just across from the front of our house, closer to the living room than if I was stood at the bottom of the back garden and I have left the kids when they're ill on the sofa watching telling from about 5.

Booklover18 · 12/08/2018 21:52

Depends on age but chicken pox is usually younger ones so I’d say no - seriously you think you might be two minutes, you could get stuck in a queue or any problem might occur which takes you longer. You would Never forgive yourself if anything happened so just don’t risk it - bundle him up and take him with you , hope he’s better soon 😘

Nicknacky · 12/08/2018 21:52

Why wouldn’t you mention his age? It’s pretty relevant!

kaytee87 · 12/08/2018 21:53

What @Nicknacky said

Original poster
Stacey21x · 12/08/2018 21:53

He’s 5. I would ask my neighbour (I only have 1) but I’ve actually never spoken to him. He only moved in last month, he’s a builder so is usually up and away first thing.

I could definitely phone and ask them to have it ready for me, I never thought of that. I could Facebook message the girl who’ll be on right now actually (joys of village life)

I’ll need calpol before an online shop would get delivered.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stacey21x · 12/08/2018 21:54

Sorry I didn’t mention his age, had a long day and forgot. Apologies.

OP posts:
Unihorn · 12/08/2018 21:55

If you can have it ready for you then I would.

ShutUpBaz · 12/08/2018 21:55

At 5, yes I would do it. But quickly. Hope he feels better soon. The pox is the absolute pits.

m0therofdragons · 12/08/2018 21:55

No, you couldn't leave a healthy 5yo and certainly not one with chicken pox. I would as a friend or neighbour for help.

C0untDucku1a · 12/08/2018 21:55

Take him.

amy85 · 12/08/2018 21:58

I would... especially if he was asleep

bettycat81 · 12/08/2018 22:02

I would.

But as another option as you know the staff well enough to have contact details could they pop the stuff over to you?

Birdsgottafly · 12/08/2018 22:02

FB message her and explain why you need the favour. She may offer to drop it off for you.

But if she's got it ready and you don't stop to talk, then you could. i wouldn't normally say that, but he needs the Calpol.

Don't hang about though, his temp could spike, suddenly.

Original poster
Stacey21x · 12/08/2018 22:05

Problem solved. She’s going to bring me milk, bread and calpol over when she opens up at 5 tomorrow morning. Sometimes I love country living!

Thank you everyone for opinions, you think you know what you’ll do until it happens, then your brain is pickled!

OP posts: