When do you first remember being left home alone

[WomenHour]

I think it was around 9 , my mum had to go to work so she left me and my brother for a few hours.

A girl in my year at school signed a modelling contract and lived alone in a flat in NY at 16. Agency staff kept an eye on her but didn’t “take responsibility” for her (I don’t think so.anyway). She was a sensible sort and did very well.

Some of these stories - alone at 5 etc- are shocking even in the context of the 1970s. There’s a tendency to mollycoddle now, but surely there is a sensible compromise to be had. I do appreciate that single parents often had limited options though.

I have no idea when it first happened I am not sure my mum would remember either (no offense to her)

I think my son was 11 or 12 maybe