At what age would you consider leaving child home alone in these circumstances?

[Hullabaloo9]

I work at a small local veterinary practice at the bottom of my road. It is 5 mins walk max at a slow pace. I have to work 1 in 6 Saturday mornings, 8am till 12pm. My street is on a quiet estate of terraced family homes with neighbours we know well on both sides. There is a house phone and also alexa can be asked to call my phone. My daughter is sensible and I already leave her confidently while I pop to a shop or on short errands. She usually just sits and games with friends so chatting and not lonely.

What age would you consider leaving her home alone on the Saturday morning in these circumstances?

I would be contactable at all times and able to get home in under 5 mins. Neighbours would be aware and "listening out". She would probably sleep in and then just game or watch TV till I got home (she would love this)

My youngest is just turned 10, year 5 and I feel like she’s a little bit too young, I’d leave her up to 2h

Mine was 11, she started walking home from school on her own and then waiting for me. Also during school holidays. It went absolutely fine.

I did try to put her in the breakfast club + after school club but at 11 she was by far the oldest there and it felt like money wasted.

Depends on the child. My 11 year old wouldn’t hesitate. My 8 year old however probably when he’s 78.

Year 6 so 10/11

12 for mine

Given all this info, if she would prefer it to being dragged across town, I’d try it and see how it feels for you both.

10/11? I leave my almost 10 year old for upto an hour, sometimes longer if he's with his older brother. My 13 year old I'd happily leave at home alone all day, he'd get out his pit at 12 and game until I got home 🤣

We have a ring doorbell inside camera for when I leave my 10 year old: could you set up an indoor camera so you can have her on your phone propped up somewhere so you can see her and check in with her to reassure you. You can speak through the cameras. I wouldn’t leave her without being able to see her but I find the camera reassures me she’s just sitting on the sofa.

Kid dependent of course but I’d say 12 and I’d want them to have a phone of their own.

my daughter is 12 and she’d be delighted with a morning to herself now and again.

Probably 12.

I have a DS in y5 and I wouldn’t leave him yet for that amount of time. Some children may be ok though.

i reckon if shes sensible it’s fine. Just check in with her by text or call her after a few hours the first time. I expect she will have a lovely relaxing morning eating breakfast in bed ! Tell her not to answer the door or use the cooker and she will be fine.
I seriously can’t believe someone said 15 ! My 14 year old catches the bus into a busy city by himself, walks to his mates houses and he would definitely be perfectly fine at home by himself for well over 4 hours if there’s plenty of food in the house! You are setting them up for serious problems by not giving them any independence.

Depends on the kid. My oldest is older than the ages most people are saying but very immature so no. My younger one would be fine even though they are younger than the ages most people are saying here. I reckon you as a parent will know best....

11

September - the start of year six. Especially as she seems ready.

If she's happy to be left, and you're happy she'd be safe, I think ten is fine to at least try it. She'd need to know that if she changed her mind at the last minute, there was a back up plan. Another option might be to see if a local teenager would be up for some occasional mid-morning babysitting. One of my DCs sometimes looks after an 8/9-yr-old whose parent works from home on a Saturday but for a few hours can't be disturbed. My DC goes along to do baking, play games, do drawing etc. so the child has someone available for the trickiest part of the shift.

If it’s only every 6 weeks I would continue to take her to your sisters for the rest of the year. That’s only 9 months which is 6 times. Think about trying something new next year

11 or 12

12 or 13....really suprised at those saying primary school age!

No way has a pp said 15!

Around 10-11ish depending on maturity.

13 personally

10/11 l

I’d say 10+, and I’d leave her a breakfast and a snack and a ‘timetable’ - she can have her cereal when she gets up, then game. Snack at 11, get washed and dressed, things into the dishwasher, more play time. It will help to structure her a little bit.

If she’s sensible for her age and happy to be left I think it’s fine.

12 at very least