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.

Same age as you would feel comfortable leaving them if they didn't have a virus, surely? Which is going to depend on how sensible and mature and well prepared they are, how quickly you could get home if they called you, and whether there are other relatives or neighbours nearby who could come in an emergency.

I was often ill as a child and was home alone from 9. My eldest could be left rather younger than that, especially since our lovely elderly neighbours were nearly always home. My younger child is 13 and still can't be home alone for more than a few minutes - she's gullible and would believe any lie someone on the doorstep might choose to spin for her (distraction burglaries are common in our neighbourhood), and she panics completely in an emergency. And she's afraid to ask for help when she needs it.

So it's a very individual decision.

13/14 if they can contact you and aren't far away.

As long as your child is sensible, knows to not answer the door unless it is someone they know & trust, knows what to do in an emergency ie ring you, ask a neighbour or relation, if they are not feeling well they will most likely be happy to curl up under a duvet on the sofa & read or watch tv. If you are on the end of the phone & can ring to check if they are ok, I would say they would be ok for a day, if they feel grotty they may want to doze anyway.

15 years old +