What age to leave a child at home alone when they have a bit of a virus?

[DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou]

Bit of a temp, nothing huge, headache and tired.

What age to leave them at home alone while we are at work?

I remember my mom doing it but I can't remember how old I was.

12? Assuming they're sensible and not severely ill.

Depends how long you're at work for and how far away. I left my 11 year old a few weeks ago, and popped home every hour. She had a phone. I would have been home in minutes if she'd have called. She slept the whole time. I did feel a bit bad but all ok.

Surely depends on the child, how sensible they are how far away you work, how long you work, have they ever been left before etc.

I'd say around 11 as long as they knew they could call me or DH and one of us would come back if they needed us. If possible one of us would pop back to check on them middle of the day or if not make them text or call every couple of hours.

For the whole day? 11 or 12/Year 7.

Year 6 or 7 if they are sensible and have a way to contact you

12 and then only if sensible and used to being alone

11/12

12/13.
Child should be somewhat capable of fending for themselves - can make a hot drink, toast, heat soup etc.

Happy to be home alone rather than afraid.

Has phone and knows how to contact parents and also another person locally if necessary (neighbour, local family members, older teen or adult they’re familiar with etc).

Is set up with cold drink, tissues, hot water bottle, has had pain relief etc.

Understands how to take any further dose of meds later in the day (possibly just leave out a single dose on a plate with a note of what time they can take it), if needed.

Something easy to prepare. To eat is available in the fridge/cupboard and child is able to manage organising it for themselves.

And knows how to get out and raise alarm in an emergency (but that part must already be known - not for a conversation on the morning you have to leave them home alone and causing panics!).

12 plus.

Depends how ill they are!
I leave my 11yo while I go to the supermarket, maybe an hour and a half, but when he was I'll recently I didn't leave him for even ten minutes, he was so poorly.

Year 6 or 7 if they are sensible and have a way to contact you

WTF?

They have a temperature and a headache, 6 and 7 year olds can go downhill pretty fast.

OP, I'd say about 12 depending on the child and the illness.

Sorry! I miss the year 6 or 7 bit. I thought you meant age

At least 12-13

I left mine at age 13. Never if they vomiting. I just didn’t feel right being away if they were throwing up.

I think it's more about whether your child is mature and responsible enough to be left at home on their own.
Do they know how to contact someone in the event of an emergency such as a neighbour or adult family friend?
Is there someone living close by if they need help?
Do they know how to get hold of you whilst at work if necessary?
Would they behave whilst alone - not leave things on that can cause a hazard?
Do they cope well on their own when they're sick or do they struggle to manage themselves without a bit of help?
Are they safe to administer medication or will they just pop pills/drink medicine in the hope their symptoms go away quicker?
What happens if the phone rings or the door goes - do they respect house rules about this (some parents aren't happy for children to answer the door without an adult incase someone tries to force entry).
Providing they were able to manage the above, any secondary school aged child.

As long as she is on the mend, I'd say 11 and older.

I'm happy to leave my 12yo. She can make drinks, food etc, has a phone and is sensible.

My rule is if they are at secondary school, I will leave them. With strict instructions to call their dad who is 10 minutes away if they need someobe, not me.

I think 13 or over i.e. the same age that you'd be happy to leave them at home for 8 plus hours on a normal day.

I would leave secondary but under 13 for a few hours but not all day.

9-11 I might leave for 30 minutes while I popped to the shop.

Nspcc recommend children under 12 shouldnt be left home alone

And surely it depends how quickly you can get home from work too. If 10/20mins away I'd say fine but couple of hours commute would be iffy

No they don’t Waveysnail . They actually say Children under 12 years old shouldn't be left home alone for long. whose to decide what long is? There is no legal age for leaving a child home alone just recommendation.

Paracetamol of 2 school if really bad cant go school I'd be of work

I left my 12 year old for the length of the school day when she was off ill, just a virus, no vomiting. I work a 5 min drive away and she could contact me easily.