How old is old enough to stay home while the parents go out to dinner?

[Notthetoothfairy]

Is 10 (with a slightly younger sibling) too young, if left with a mobile phone?

MonstranceClock
Me and my partner have been talking about kids and I'm already worried about the ammount of conversations with teachers and social services I will be having after letting kids do things that i consider normal. I'm really hoping mn is not a representation on what is appropriate in real life.

Rezie From what I've seen since living here, I think it is! Children are babied a lot more here. But, I grew up in a much "hardier" country, doing things I definitely wouldn't be happy my children to doing!
But I do worry about being judged badly here, for letting her get on with things and be more independant than her friends.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/leaving-child-home-alone/]

The guidelines are all here. While there may not be a law about the exact age a child can be left alone, it clearly states that police will prosecute parents for neglect, depending on the circumstances. If something happened while a 10 year old was looking after a 7 year old, that would seem like a pretty clear cut case, so just not worth taking the risk. A 14 year old and an 11 year old would obviously be a whole different ball game.

I think we first left them when they were about 10 and 12, but only to go out somewhere within walking distance, and we always take a phone.

Sorry I offended you nokid. I don't relate to leaving the children at home while I go out for dinner though.

We leave 10 and nearly 13for a few hours at a time if we local. We were paying lumpy teens to sit on the sofa but dd1 far more on the ball and competent than the sitters so stopped bothering unless we further than 10 mins by cab. My two get on very well and are “good” girls so watch a film then go to bed. Friends with 15 year olds still get sitters so there’s quite a variation.