To leave the children at home while they’re napping?

[ParkLife123]

Please hear me out.

House has a driveway outside, and then the street. On the other side of the street is a playground which my DS aged 4 loves. We go out there to play as often as we can but usually all four of us (me, DS, his younger brother aged 2, and newest addition our 5 month old baby).

I’m considering, in order to be able to spend a little quality 1:1 time with DS, taking him occasionally across the street while the other two nap. House is alarmed. I have baby monitors looking into their cots - the two year old cannot get out of his cot yet and in any case there’s also a baby gate at the door.

But really any sign of movement or noise from either of them and I get an alert on my phone.

The time it takes to get back home from the playground realistically is around 1 minute.

Is this a terrible idea? I’ve thought about the risks of them choking or something but also think that I would be able to get back home in the same time as it would take me to get to them if I was for example in the shower!

Does it sound fine or is it a risk no one else would take?

Personally I wouldn't. Alot can happen in a single minute.

Sounds a stupid idea

It’s not something I would do, sorry

The road between would be what worries me, what if something happened to stop you crossing?

If it is a very quiet road, I'd probably do it.

Awful idea.

And how long would it take you to grab child from playing. Get home. Undo door and turn off alarms. Get to distressed child?

No, you can't do this.

YABU and if I knew you and knew you did this I would report you.

Sounds sensible to me. Yanbu

I’m sure you could find other quality one to one activities to do in the house/ garden when the others are sleeping.

Nope...I wouldn't do this.

Hmmm I don't know...

I mean what do people with large gardens do... Never go to the bottom of the garden while the baby naps...?
Not much difference surely?

I wouldn’t. What if something happened to you?

You can't honestly be suggesting leaving a newborn alone at home? Dreadful idea I'm afraid. I woud judge the hell out of anyone doing this.

It sounds like it's literally right opposite your house no?

You say it takes a minute to get back...I could actually walk quite far in a minute. Can you see your house from the playground?

No, awful idea. Get someone to sit in the house with them while you go out, just in case.

No way.
If your child was sick and choking, 1.min is a long time.
If there as a freak fire. 1 min is a long time.
OK so the likelihood of a fire is very slim. It no way.
Find another way to have 1 to 1 time with your other dc!

Um. No. I would report someone for doing this without hesitation.

You obviously have concerns yourself about leaving your children otherwise you wouldn't post asking if it was OK.

Don't do it.

No, you should not leave your 2 yo and 5 moth old baby(!!!) in the house alone whilst you go to the park.
No matter if it is a short distance, the ‘it’s only as far as my garden’ posts you will get, this is absolutely not acceptable behaviour

• I wouldn't no way.

Just don't do it op. Not even just the once, not ever.

Why would you? That's life with more than one child to me.

I wouldn’t. No way. They’re too small. Plenty of people will tell you it’s ok though and that it’s no different from being in your own garden. It is different though. Can you imagine explaining to someone ( a friend, a police officer, social services, a news reporter) that you were in a park across the road if something bad did happen?

I think the fact that you’re on here asking means you know it’s not right.

Logically perhaps is fine. In practice I wouldnt. I'd be too paranoid about getting locked out, something inexplicable happened at the playground which meant got caught up there (older child gets stuck a swing etc) which delays you.
I used to panic just about popping out to the garage to get something out the freezer even though the door couldn't lock without the key etc!