To let my 11 year old look after her sisters for 15 mins?

[Runnerjellybean]

I know I probably would be being unreasonable, but thought I'd check as I can be a bit overprotective.

I need to pop to the shop. I don't drive and it's 5 mins there, 5 mins back and I'd be around 5 mins in the shop.

She's sensible and her sisters listen to her. It's absolutely pouring down. Is she still too young to watch them? She has a phone and had grandparents 5 minutes drive away if she couldn't get hold of me.

Am I going to have to suck it up and us all get drenched?

Absolutely fine!

How old are her sisters and how many?

How old are her sisters?
I left my 13yo & 9 yo together for 10 mins for the first time last week.
No issues with leaving 13 year old on his own though.

Age of sisters is relevant.

How old are the other children she'll be looking after?

Oh sorry I thought I'd put it.
They are 7 and nearly 4

If she was 12 or 13 I'd feel ok. I just feel like 11 is still young. She's in year 6 not quite high school yet

It's a no from me, too much responsibility for the 11 y/o.

Hmmm 4 years old is s bit young IMO can you take her and leave the other 2?
Or if you really want to go put a well liked programme on and tell them Not to move from the sofa unless it’s an emergency.

I wouldnt. Fine leaving her on her own, but not with the responsibility of looking after a 3yo.

Considering the ages of the other 2 I would say no. That's far to much responsibility for an 11 year old.

The three year old would give me pause. Otherwise I’d say five - I was babysitting on my own in the evening at 12.

Fine, not five!

Thanks all I agree really. If the littlest was school age I'd feel better about it but at that age they're still unpredictable. Looks like we're donning the waterproofs! :)

I'd take the little one (in a buggy with rain cover?) And leave the older 2 for 5 mins

15 minutes

If they will all sit and watch the tv and you know they will be engrossed, then yes. But also call the GP and tell them what you are doing and that if you dont call them back in a half hour,could they check on the girls

No, sorry. She's too young and it's too much responsibility

Seatoski
I thought you meant the doctor them until I realised you meant grandparents. Thought that was a bit extreme

I'd leave an 11 year old alone for that trip but would take the younger two. Too young for the responsibility and she's a child herself not a parent.

It's only rain.

I would do it.

I agree with icecream I had only just started leaving mine alone for 15 minutes at 10. By 11 they wouldn't have been ready to take responsibility for younger children aswell.

I'd leave the 11 and 7 year old, and take the 3 year old.

I think either the younger would need to be a bit older to leave with an 11 year old or the 11 year old would need to be a bit older to be left with a 3 year old.
Other option is to send the 11 year old to the shop? In a few months time she will be getting her self to and from school etc

I have no problem doing this. I would make sure that the 2 younger ones were occupied with something before leaving to reduce the chances of them needing something while you were gone. So maybe put a film on or get them all colouring or playing a board game so that they barely notice you are gone.