To leave 10 year old at home alone?

[naturistmum]

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.

HolyForkingShirt - times have changed

Well yes, parents now have mobiles so children can contact them. I don't think people are generally more careful now than when I was a child and I'm in my 40s.

I think though if you have to ask on MN its a no, and its as simple as that......

Depends on the child, depends how ill they are, depends on how far away you'd be.

DS1 would have been fine at that age, as long as it was just a cold or something that was really unlikely to deteriorate suddenly. With a phone, the TV/laptop and food/drinks put by for him he'd have been okay as long as I wasn't ages away. I was left in similar circs at that age due to no choice. Some other 10 year olds I know, not a chance I'd leave them.

good solution op.

Glad it went ok op. Hope he's feeling better now