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Original poster

What age for First House Key?

102 replies

Lockdownbear · 08/04/2021 18:33

Thinking about a thread by an employer suggesting parents WFH can not be keeping an eye on their school aged kids and they should have childcare in place which to me is just nuts. I'm thinking back to days of old and the 'latch key' generation.

I got my key when I was 10, I can't imagine giving my 10yo a key. However he is more than capable of entertaining himself while I work. I just wouldn't trust him completely alone.

How old were you when you got your key and how old were your kids?

OP posts:
nimbuscloud · 08/04/2021 18:33

Mine were 12
Can’t remember what age I was

Ohdeariedear · 08/04/2021 18:34

End of primary school.

Lonecatwithkitten · 08/04/2021 18:35

11 years old the summer before starting senior school.

Angeldust747 · 08/04/2021 18:35

Also around 10, although it was when my dad was getting home around 15-30 mins after I got in so wasn't in the house alone for long. Considering how useless I am generally I can't belive I never lost the key! Can't imagine doing the same these days, but that's a few years off

Alwaysandforeverhere · 08/04/2021 18:36

Oldest got his key as he started secondary school since he would be home before me by approx an hour as I’m on the school run for the younger two.

AdoraBell · 08/04/2021 18:38

16, when I moved out. My mother was always at home during the day, she did office cleaning in the wee small hours and was home before we got up. .

JackieTheFart · 08/04/2021 18:42

Mine were 11 when they started secondary and would be walking to and from on their own. This was last September, so as I’ve been WFH they’re too often lazy and don’t take them Hmm. Sometimes I make them wait Wink

Bumpinthenight · 08/04/2021 18:45

I got a key when I started secondary school.
DD got a key, well a key in a keysafe Grin, when she started secondary. I didn't want her panicking about potentially losing it and as I have been locked out having taken DH's car and keys rather than mine, the keysafe is a great idea!

RubyFakeLips · 08/04/2021 18:52

Was going to say 10/11 before even reading your full post. Mine have all had a key before starting secondary, and I will give my DD who is still at primary a key if she walks down to the shops when I’m wfh.

A 10 year old should be capable of having a key and being on their own at home for some time. Maybe work on why you feel he can’t be trusted and what can be done to improve.

ooooolala · 08/04/2021 18:55

Mine all get keys at 10. The middle child never uses hers, the youngest is excited for the big 10 that comes with a key to the house :)

Alreadyinmypyjamas · 08/04/2021 18:55

My parents just didn't lock the door.

FenceSplinters · 08/04/2021 18:55

I don’t remember how old I was, but my ds got a key when he was nine years old. He would take himself home from school (a walk of about one minute) and let himself in. He was home alone until about six pm when we would get home from work, and it was (for the most part) ok.

hopingforabrighterfuture2021 · 08/04/2021 18:56

11, but she doesn’t routinely take it out with her. Only if there’s a specific reason she’ll need it.

Still1nLove · 08/04/2021 18:57

10, she was allowed to walk home from school alone for the first time and it meant we didn’t have to rush home if we were out on day trips (I’m a childminder)

Thanks to this thread, I’m now thinking of getting key safes as I regularly forget my keys, thanks MN!

Coulddowithanap · 08/04/2021 18:58

11, when starting secondary school.

TeenMinusTests · 08/04/2021 18:59

My eldest got one at ~9. She had it on a lanyard when playing out so I didn't have to keep jumping up and down to open the door / disturb younger sister's bedtime or whatever.

NotGenerationAlpha · 08/04/2021 19:00

My DC 10 got a house key for her birthday. She can look after herself while we work from home without any intervention. I think it’s different if she needs to do home schooling or is home alone. We use a combination of WFH and annual leave for school holidays.

Fembot123 · 08/04/2021 19:00

11

PaperMonster · 08/04/2021 19:00

Mine’s almost ten and will be getting a key next week.

Gatehouse77 · 08/04/2021 19:01

When starting secondary school - for ma and what we've done with our children. There simply was no need before that.

year5teacher · 08/04/2021 19:02

Plenty of my class do and they’re 9 and 10.

LyndaSnellsSniff · 08/04/2021 19:05

I can’t remember when I got my first key but knowing my parents it was probably quite late on.

My own DCs got a key when they started walking to and from school alone in year 6. I’m always in but I wanted them to learn to take responsibility and know how to unlock and lock the door.

NotGenerationAlpha · 08/04/2021 19:05

The need for a 10 yo to have a key is they walk home themselves @Gatehouse77

With so many of us working from home, it’s different from when we are commuting. It means DH and I don’t have to pick up or pay a childminder for after school care. She can let herself in if we are stuck in a teams meeting.

Chillychili · 08/04/2021 19:05

I was never given one. Many days sat on the cold wet front step on the street waiting for someone to come home (before mobile phones so never knew). I think with DS it will be when he walks home from school, so about 12.

1Morewineplease · 08/04/2021 19:06

End of primary.

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