To leave my children in the house for 2ish hours in the early evenings at 14 and 11?

[schoolsoutforever]

Hello, my first time actually creating a thread but I would appreciate reasonable opinions.

Up until now I haven't really left my children often on their own but recently the older child has been in the house for a while (few hours) on her own and the younger for short periods (45 mins ish).

My husband and I would enjoy early evening drinks in the pub (approx 5ish - 7ish).

Would we be unfair leaving them to do this? My daughter is 14 in a week, son 11.5. The pub is less than 5 mins walk. We would be having max two drinks. So AIBU?

@AfternoonToffee

As long as they are ok with it, I hated being in the house without Mum and Dad after dark, but I never said anything, so I always doubly check my eldest is ok if it will get dark.

Sunset is nearly 8pm. I think the OP is good

[quote Peanutsandchilli]@UserStillatLarge nope, we don't. The last time we went somewhere without our kids was maybe 7 or 8 years ago.[/quote]
Why??

09a8mint

i can't believe anyone has to ask.I think this post was a misguided attempt to virtue signal what an excellent responsible parent s/he is

It wasn't: I don't give a shit what others think of me (especially on the Internet). It was completely genuine. I think it's fine now but wanted to see if my thoughts were reasonabl; surely the reason for the type of thread?

For fucks sake all these responses saying "Not for the pub! Only an emergency!". I was babysitting the neighbor's newborn when I was 13. If the parents trust their children and they have a way to contact the parents, it is fine.

When I was 14 I would babysit the 3 children next door. They would of been 2, 4 and 7. Everyone survived !

Check the law . Under12s not to be left alone for long periods of time - under 16s. Not to be left overnight.

Have 2 hours to yourself

letgrow.org/

Sounds fine to me, as long as they seem sensible enough to you. It's very common (at least round here) to employ 15 year olds as paid babysitters, in circumstances where parents are fairly nearby and easy to contact.

At 14 I was babysitting other people's kids. Of course it's fine.

Clearly in the minority here but I'm not sure that "I did it" or "this happened to me" as a child is really relevant.

My own experiences aren't necessarily ones I'd want to repeat for my children and personally wouldn't do this.

@WaitinginVain

Clearly in the minority here but I'm not sure that "I did it" or "this happened to me" as a child is really relevant. My own experiences aren't necessarily ones I'd want to repeat for my children and personally wouldn't do this.

At what age will your 14 year old be allowed stay home by themselves for two hours? It might be easier for your peace of mind, but that's for your benefit not theirs. Keeping a child in cotton wool until they reach 16 helps no one.

I used to live being home alone. O brother with me. No parents. I would cook dinner while.my parents went shopping. It was far preferable than being dragged round tescos while the parents argued over washing up liquid . Was bliss. Didn't mind cooking dinner either it was my suggestion I do it

@Classica I didn't criticise anyone else's choice? Just stated my personal opinion.
I have an 18 year old, as well as two younger - he wasn't kept in cotton wool and he's absolutely fine, thanks.

Sunset is nearly 8pm. I think the OP is good

Well it won't be for much longer, and I can't imagine this being a total one off, so at some point it will be dark.

@waitinginvain, great. Just wondering why you wouldn't allow a 14 year old home alone for two hours.

Yes for work or similar. No for pub.

Why not though?

I mean the pub u can leave..work.you can't and might not even have your phone on you. .

Its probably better when parents are in the pub tbh

My kids had to become extremely self-sufficient when I was suddenly widowed and had no choice but to work full time. Now they are 14 and 11 and used to me not always being on hand, so I do regularly leave them alone for the day while I'm at work. I intend to join a gym from September so I can go there one evening a week. I probably wouldn't turn down a drink with a friend now and again either. They'll be fine.

@Classica For me it would be the combination of the 14 and 11 year old and personal choice, as with everyone else commenting.
We're asked for opinions but there's only one that's OK?

YANBU same age kids. Do it all the time

14 and 11 is easily old enough to be left in the house for a couple of hours. At that age I was going with my elder brother on the train up to London.

And ffs, the state of people saying that you shouldn't leave kids at home to go to the pub.

@RuthW

Yes for work or similar. No for pub.

What difference does it make whether it's to the pub or to work, exactly?

Yeah definitely. A lot of 11 year olds are alone from 3pm-6pm every day after school so unless they're prone to fighting or ha e additional needs then why not

[quote WaitinginVain]@Classica For me it would be the combination of the 14 and 11 year old and personal choice, as with everyone else commenting.
We're asked for opinions but there's only one that's OK?[/quote]
You seem highly strung. That fits.

Not for the pub

Would it make it safer if it was for church?

Op it's fine. At 14 I was babysitting my parents friends daughter who was 6 while they all went to the pub. She was diabetic and I was shown how to check her blood sugar and administer insulin etc.