Is this an okay way to save some money?!

[Annoy]

It’s probably really stupid… and likely illegal! But I’m desperate! Like many!

My son is a sensible 12.5yr old. He already comes home from school 2 hours before me. Him at 3, me at 5.

My daughter is a sensible 8.5yr old. She goes to a childminder after school until I pick her up at 5. This costs me approx £250 a month (she goes in the morn too).

They get on reasonably well for siblings, he can be very caring and supportive of her.

Her primary school allow older siblings to collect.

WIBU to have my son collect my daughter, walk home (house/school same village) and be with her for the 2hrs instead of CM?…. Guarantees they would watch telly for the whole time!

It actually sounds really U writing it down! If you think so too, what age would you allow this from?

Thanks

And I don’t think your som should become an unpaid cater for your daughter either. She should only be at home for two hours a day, every day, when she is old enough to be responsible for herself.

@Helpneededbyanoutsider

I love how everyone has responded thinking this is a big deal….

If they’re sensible and responsible then why not?

When I was young my sister and I would be walking ourselves to school and back with no adult at home from Y3 and Y6…this was only about 10 years ago! We were sensible and knew what to do in emergency (phone numbers on the fridge etc) and all was well. By Y4 I was walking to primary school on my own and back as sister was in secondary.

We thought it was great! A bit of freedom and space from adults!

The big thing is a burden being placed on a 12 year old, that he’s not old enough to consent to, nor probably in a position to refuse.

Kids cost money!

I know someone who used to leave her 12yo with a 5 and 3yo all day in the holidays and every day after school. And she used to take them in the mornings as well. That is not ok but as for your scenario I think that is ok.

Surprising the majority agree this is ok. Unexpected things happen and kids even very ‘sensible’ ones behave unexpectedly. If you wouldn’t leave the 8.5 year old by themselves it’s unfair to expect a 12 year old to regularly parent a younger child to save ‘some’ money. For what? I would save money anywhere else.