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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave 10 year old at home alone?

54 replies

naturistmum · 29/03/2019 07:30

My DS 10 (nearly 11) is unwell today and I have to deliver some training this morning. I cancelled last Friday cos my DD was ill. I cant do it again without looking unprofessional and potentially losing repeat business. My husband has to work today too (self employed professional).

My DS has a cold which has given him a bad headache today. It is unlike him to be ill (constitution of an ox usually) so I know he is genuinely unwell. He is a sensible kid and will probably just sleep or play on his tablet.

AIBU to leave him alone for up to 5 hours ….. I am aren't I? I have no friends or family that can look after him today so I'm stuck. He could come with me and stay in the car (in the clients car park so close to hand if he really needs me). Then he'd only be on his own for a couple of hours and I'd be close.

OP posts:
AntiHop · 29/03/2019 07:55

Option 1 should be your husband looking after him depending on the impact on his work. Option 2 would be taking him with you.

Or is there a neighbour who could help you out?

cushioncovers · 29/03/2019 07:55

No I wouldn't leave a ten year old ill at home on their own.

my2bundles · 29/03/2019 08:00

No, . Any longer than 40 minutes is to much for my 10 year old and I certainly wouldn't leave him while sick at all. 5 hours is just far to long at this age.

BlueCornishPixie · 29/03/2019 08:05

I think your DH should take the day off to look after him, you did last week and therefore it's his turn, plus if you cancel you might not get repeat business etc. So there's more to lose for you in this scenario

If he's too ill to be in school he needs someone to look after him. Sorry OP

CurlsandCurves · 29/03/2019 08:05

Agree about contacting other parents if poss. My friend was in this position a few years ago. One friend went round in the morning, I popped in to make him some lunch and his mum was back a couple of hours later, although he had my number and I was only a couple of streets away in the meantime.

I don’t think it’s a good idea for him to be left entirely alone all that time, but if someone could just pop in, make sure he’s ok, make him a drink, snack etc.

Original poster
naturistmum · 29/03/2019 08:07

He's Y6 not Y5.

Husband really cant - not him being an arse, just the nature of his job.

I've decided he's coming with me - its the only reasonable option

OP posts:
MumUnderTheMoon · 29/03/2019 08:09

It depends on the child. It isn't illegal and you know your child best.

Lollypop701 · 29/03/2019 08:10

Life is full of shit choices op. Tablet, calpol, water, snacks a pillow n blanket. He’ll be fine. Consider a toilet stop before you leave him in the car. Good luck op

Inliverpool1 · 29/03/2019 08:14

Are you planning to tell your client that you have a sick child in the car park ? They will probably find a warm meeting room for him if you ask

littlemeitslyn · 29/03/2019 08:26

'End of ' Really?!!?

lalalemon · 29/03/2019 08:38

Surely if he's well enough to sit in a meeting room on a tablet, he's well enough to go to school?!

TheSerenDipitY · 29/03/2019 08:39

god decision, maybe see if he can come in to an unused office or something, but maybe add some alarms on your phone to remind you that you have him with you, as it is out of routine it is possible to forget you have him with you.
also load him up with screens and movies , some drinks and snacks and he will be fine

Dramatical · 29/03/2019 10:06

Surely if he's well enough to sit in a meeting room on a tablet, he's well enough to go to school?!

I rather think the point is he isn't actually well enough at all.

Thirtyrock39 · 29/03/2019 13:22

I think I'd be calpolling up and sending to school if no temperature
I've been in this situation many times op and dh hardly ever takes turns so my kids have to be properly ill, sick, temperature etc to be off school which I don't think is a bad lesson to learn
Our school recently sent a letter out saying to only keep them off if sickness, d and v or temperature , it actually said to send them in for colds and headaches

Hollowvictory · 29/03/2019 13:23

No that's not appropriate. One of you will need to stay home, he's 10!

itsabongthing · 29/03/2019 13:25

Hope it all worked out ok. I do leave my 10/11 yo now she can use a mobile and contact me if needed but I would have also felt that 5 hours was too long. I’vs done up to 2 hours.

itsabongthing · 29/03/2019 13:26

And yes with a cold I’d generally dose up and think school will call if it’s that bad!

HolyForkingShirt · 29/03/2019 13:33

I used to stay at home for hours on my own at that age, it depends on the kid.

TheOrigFV45 · 29/03/2019 13:40

I would not leave my poorly 10 year old for 5 hours alone.

Inliverpool1 · 29/03/2019 14:02

HolyForkingShirt - times have changed

LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 29/03/2019 14:06

Surely if he's well enough to do with you he's well enough to be in school?

He's too young to be left anywhere for that long, including in the car park. I don't leave my 11 year old (year 6) for longer than an hour.

Original poster
naturistmum · 29/03/2019 14:49

Took him with me. He sat in an office and watched films on his tablet with headphones on. Like he wasn't there and no issue.

OP posts:
Whatthefunk · 29/03/2019 14:59

Its a constant juggle, isn't it. Good job Op. I've learnt never to ask questions like this on MN.........It just makes you second guess yourself. Trust your instincts. They are nearly always right

yikesanotherbooboo · 29/03/2019 15:57

Well done , that's what I would have done. Weekend now for him to lie in bed!

DinosApple · 29/03/2019 16:05

Glad it went OK OP.

That's what I did recently with my youngest (8). Calpol, blanket, tablet and sick bowl in the carpark, in sight, at my business. Just another joy of working for yourself.

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