To leave kids in bed whilst I run

[Wanttodobetter]

I’m a single parent to 4 children, youngest 8 and eldest 14. I want to run for 30 mins locally early morning whilst they’re still asleep. 2 have phones and I’ll leave a number of a neighbour. That’s fine right?!

Sounds ok to me if they’re sensible

Would the 8 year old normally sleep the whole time your out? Is the 14 year old happy to be in charge if they do wake up?

Personally I’d make sure the oldest was awake before I left.

Yes so long as they know and won't panic if they wake up and you're not there.

I’d say that’s fine as long as you trust the older 2 to help the younger ones in case of emergency until you get back and that the younger ones know to wake the older ones if needed.

I'm quite a cautious parent but I think that should probably be fine.

Yes, I agree, sounds like you’ve thought it through managing to meet your own needs while thinking of them👍

If they all know and the 14yo is happy to be in charge if anyone wakes them, then it's fine. Presuming none of them are likely to do anything daft.

I do this a few times a week. it’s fine as long as the kids know you’re doing it, and are ok about being left.

I would do this if they were sensible. Our garden opens onto fields, I very often walk the dog around them and leave the kids very early in the morning - we live in a very safe area and we each have a walkie talkie in case they need me.

ynbu to go for a run but IMO you need to tell your children that you’ll be going out at these times, be back when you say you’ll be back and have your own phone as the first point of call, with a neighbour as back up. I’d consider switching on your location sharing too.

Absolutely. I left mine at around 10/11 for this. Run 15 mins one way, turn round and run back. Unless you’re super fast you won’t ever be more than 2 miles away!

I suspect they’ll still be sleeping when I get back as plan to go early! I’ll remind everyone the night before and leave a note just in case they forget.

It could be fine but you can't treat them all as if they're equal.

If the 8 year old needs someone then there has to be someone home for them...which will be the 14 year old.

So is the 14 year old happy and mature enough to be in charge, and woken if needed?

Ha not fast! So will always be within 5k.

I left my 8 nearly 9 year old alone to nip to the shops and dump etc. He was fine. All grown up now and likes his independence. As a child I walked to school on my own (with friends and 7 year old sibling) from 5 years old, up the back lane. I know times have changed but what you suggest sounds fine to me (apart from the running 😂).

I used to leave DS at home when I took the dog for a morning walk from when he was around nine. We both had phones and DS knew he could go round to the neighbours house if he needed any help. I used to get home to find DS had sorted the dog’s breakfast and made me a cup of tea!

I run up and down our road or do a route that goes past the house multiple times. If they kids want me they come out and wave or sometimes high five me.

I agree, sounds totally fine.

It depends on where you live, really.

Why??

I’d say that’s fine. I often do the early morning dog walk while the dc are still snoozing. Really you won’t be far and they can call if an emergency.

Absolutely fine IMO!

Absolutely fine, as long as you tell them in case any wake up, what they should and shouldn’t do, what time you’ll be back etc

If the 14yo is happy to keep an eye on the 8yo if necessary I’d say this is absolutely fine