To leave 8yr old home alone

[OneTwoToDo]

Let's say we live in the land of utopia where the outside world poses no threat to your child, and everyone around them is trustworthy, kind and reliable..
Would you be happy to leave your 8 year old home by themselves when you went to work for the day?

What if they had a house key? And friends to play with?

Would you make sure they had something to eat maybe, or that they had a phone if they needed to contact you? Or ask if a familiar grown up could keep an eye on them?

Would you worry?

(this is not about me or my child)

So I would report a case of a hungry 8 year old neglected all day. I would go all judgy over an 15 year old never left alone unless there were complicating factors but am sure they would think the same about me.

@SkerryVore Well I called the parent to see what was going on, and they asked to speak to the child, told them to go home and warm up some food. I didn't know what was being said and followed a few seconds later to fetch my phone/have a look. There was food in the microwave and child was asking parent if someone could come and help. So I did.
My dc played with them outside after lunch. I was on meetings online and don't know what happened then. I assumed they would know where to find me if they were in trouble.

Please contact someone regarding this. This child is not only vulnerable but also being neglected. Please step in and help them

Wow. I opened the thread to say ‘depends on the 8 year old, but yes!’ But no! I’ve had two 8 year olds so far who have both been sensible mature kids & I could leave for a period of time - like, under an hour… never a whole day!

@DistrictCommissioner my own DC who is 10 loves being left home alone for a bit so they can stare at the screen and raid all the cupboards.
But I always leave the phone, and call at least once to check.

Absolutely no way on Earth.

This makes me really sad 😢 poor kid!

That child is not your responsibility to supervise OP. (Even if the parents had no intention whatsoever that their DC would come knocking on your door)

Please report the parents.

No. Not at 8. They don't have the maturity to deal with unexpected emergencies (water leak, fire etc). Would they try and use kettle / toaster / cooker if they needed lunch?

I leave my 10 year old for short periods of time - up to an hour max but only if I'm still in the village. I wouldn't go further afield - even for a quick errand - in case I broke down / had an accident that would keep me away for longer.

I wouldn't even leave my 12 year old all day just yet. They get quite lonely after a couple of hours once the loneliness / boredom sets in. At most she'll stay home for a morning or afternoon.

No, I have only just started letting my very mature 8 year old stay home alone while I walk literally across our flat to pick up his younger brother from nursery. I am gone 5-10 minutes max. I couldn't imagine in what world I would leave him all day.