To leave 8 and 6 yr old

[HeyMaCorona]

AIBU to leave 8 and 6 yr old at home playing the computer for 20mins while I pop to shop to buy DH birthday cards from us that I forgot to buy???

Not left them before and they really don't want to go out now they've just got home from school....

His present hasn't arrived so I'd feel really mean not giving him a card at least

I don't buy cards from kids. Homemade is much nicer. Doesn't need to be a masterpiece x

Agree to the home made cards idea, more thought and heart behind that then store brought.

Thanks all! Was going to give them a snack then haul them out, but they've just made cards instead!

They r v good kids and I am 99% sure that while I was out, if I had gone out, they would not have moved from their computers and would barely notice I wasn't there!!! But that said, better to be cautious and glad I came on here for advice and didn't risk it! Thanks!

I am shocked at the posters who said they would and have to be honest.

Absolutely not. I can’t believe you need to ask this question. You’d get arrested for neglect if someone reported you, or something went wrong when you were out.

You’d get arrested for neglect if someone reported you, or something went wrong when you were out.

So obviously, as I've said, having received the replies on here I've decided against leaving them. But re: above - is this actually true? Is it really neglect to pop out for 20mins? Would.you really be arrested? Just wondering as the reason I considered it in the first place is because a friend recently left her 9 and 6 yr olds for over an hour. I wouldn't do that, but she's a lovely lady and they r great kids, and I'd not have considered it neglect (they really r a lovely family. Great kids, a great mum and dad, hard working family, honest, bright, caring, loving mum etc...)? Also, as a kid I was out on my bike half the day at age 6. Could my mum have been arrested? Doubt it.

If this was the 90s or before I would say go for it but it's not.
Do they know how to call you in an emergency?
Would they answer the door if someone knocked?
Are they likely to argue whilst you're gone and one storm out of the home or cause each other injury?
Do they attempt to use kitchen facilitates such as kettle/cooker/microwave when told not to?
If you had an accident whilst out, how can ?who get in?

My 7 year old is currently home alone while I collect his brother from nursery

I hope someone finds out and reports you

Yes, interesting to know how old the eldest has to be before they can be left to babysit a younger sibling.

I have a 13 year old and a just turned 9 year old so I would be keen to know the legalities.

law on leaving your children home alone

I don’t think you would be arrested - 20 minutes isn’t a long period of time - unless there is a reason you’d think they’d be unsafe - a dog, a fire, even that they are mischief makers. And at 6 and 8 they aren’t toddlers or very young children (I would have thought that means under 5s?)

That said my big girls are 5 and 7 and I don’t think I’d leave them in a year, even for 20 mins, just because of the what-ifs.

Too young, give them 4 more years for popping out without them. It's just not worth it with a 6 year old they are too young to trust.

@formerbabe its perfectly legal.
Additionally, in most other european countries kids are being independent a lot earlier than in the Uk.

I’d leave the 8 year old and take the 6 year old.

I’ve just started leaving my 8 year old while I do nursery pick up - it’s just 15 mins and he’s been fine so far. It feels like a good first step.

There’s no minimum age to leave your child at hole, but if something happened to harm them you’d face neglect charges. In terms of looking after younger children, again there’s no age laid down in law but if the older child is under 16 you retain legal responsibility for both children so if something happened and a 15 year old was looking after a 12 year old you’d be legally accountable for any harm to them both.

Once the older child is 16 they become legally responsible for younger children in their care. That’s the position in Scotland, and my sense is the same applies in England though you may retain responsibility for the older child until they are 18 - different age of capacity applies in Scotland and England.

its perfectly legal
Additionally, in most other european countries kids are being independent a lot earlier than in the Uk

It's not legal in the UK. The law doesn't specify an age

Regardless of legality...like I said no age specified...it's lazy, neglectful parenting to leave a seven year old home alone.

The thing is, you can’t just leave your child at home and don’t prepare them.
You make sure they know what (not) to do, and practice it. Once you are confident they kniw what to do, you leave for 5 minutes and see if they are ok. if they are stressed, they are too young. Then you slowly build up

But what if something happend to you. Please don't leave them

Do those of you with older kids think a 13 year old can watch an 8 year old?

Just trying to imagine how many years it will be before I can pop out without the kids, will be a looong time yet

@formerbabe See, i would say its neglectful and overbearing to baby a neurotypical 7 year old. Opinions are different.

Lock them in a room and Facetime?

Jesus!

@formerbabe I would argue it’s lazy neglectful parenting to not be thinking of broaching into this area of independence by 7 - especially if they’re nearer 8.

No. The shop could be busy. You could get held up. Anything could happen both kids are under 10.

I’ve left my 12 year old on her own and with her 10 year old brother for 20 to 30 mins but I wouldn’t leave him on his own yet.