I currently work 2 days a week to save nursery fees, my husband works full time 5 days a week. We have a 4 year old and my husband has an older child, my stepchild who is 12 (13 in Oct).
Obviously as its the holidays they've been at home a lot (no problem) and have even stayed at home alone all day previously when mum has worked or both me and DH have been working.
Last week they happened to be at ours on a day I wasn't working however I did have an appointment early in the morning for our 4 year old and so told them I was popping out to that.
Whilst I was out a friend called who has similar aged DC and asked if I fancied going out with them for the day. I said yes and text DSC to say I'd be back later than planned and sent them some money to their bank if they wanted to go and get something for lunch. No problem.
I ended up being out most of the day until after DH was back home (so gone from around 8am to around 5pm ish). He thinks I was unreasonable to leave DSC at home alone all day when I wasn't working (it's seemingly not an issue when I am) and says I should have come all the way home, (i was already closer to the place we were going after my appt than i was home) and made them come with me, come home earlier because I knew they were at home or rang him to tell him at work.
I disagree, both he and ex seem to have no problem with DSC being left alone when it suits them, but it's suddenly a problem if I'm not in work? DSC in the middle of all this couldn't have cared less and spent the day chilling out and playing online with friends. I told them where I was going, asked if they were okay at home and sent them money if they needed anything, also had my phone on me all day and was contactable.