Leave 8 year old with 14 yr old

[sandybeaches74]

Just wondering what other people do and haven’t left my youngest alone at all yet, (this post is about leaving them together) so be gentle! I’m just curious as to what other people do.

Im a single Mum with 2 DC, DS 14.5 and DD 8. They are both quite grown up and responsible, DS has a phone and can contact me if needed. He is also used to being home alone as he lets himself in after school, can cook simple meals etc. I had been wondering whether now might be the time I could start leaving DS in charge for 30 mins/1hr etc if I needed to go shopping, walk the dog etc. DD is quite grown up for her age and listens to DS.

It would make my life a lot easier with a little bit more flexibility but I don’t want put too much on DS shoulders.

Curious as to what others think?

Sounds fine to me.

As long as DS is happy, then sounds fine.

I do this with mine and they’re the same ages and it’s fine.

I think that sounds ok. I have an 8 year old and an almost 14 year old and I leave them sometimes, at the moment only if it's a very quick trip, maybe 15-20 mins but yours sound more sensible than mine 😂

Absolutely!

Sounds fine to me, I think I started going to the local pub😁 for a couple hours every now and again when DS1 was about 14, leaving him in charge of 2 younger siblings. They were all quite sensible, I wasn't concerned about them setting fire to the place, and crucially, all got on well, so no worries about bullying or anything like that. I'd say go for it!

my stepdaughter was babysitting other people’s toddlers into the night by 14.
I leave my 11 year and 8 year home alone often for 30mins/1hr.

My eldest is 15.5, you gesture just turned 9, amd I'm only just considering this now. I wouldn't have done it earlier, even if it did make life easier for me.

If BOTH kids are happy with it, then it’s fine.
If either one of them is unhappy with it, it isn’t.

It'll be fine.
I was babysitting small children for other people at 14 as well as my own siblings.

If they're both sensible that's fine. Our then 14 year old started babysitting for youngest who was then 5 including occasionally picking her up from childminder and walking home. We did bung him a few quid which kept him happy.

Exactly this.

Don’t see an issue if they are both sensible. I will be doing this with mine at that age.

Thanks all!

Sounds fine if it’s for a short while and they are both happy with it