Am I being a rubbish mum?

[Hiitsmeagain1]

So I am continuing on a my studying this academic year but this particular course requires 6 additional full day Saturdays - 9-430 I have asked my DD13 and DD10.5 father to have them/swap weekends hopefully he does. If he cannot am I rubbish to be leaving them home alone. For context older one is very mature for age walks home from HS alone most days has stayed alone before on inset days. It will only be as a last resort if their dad cannot have them - I have to enrol this week so need to decide if this is something I can do if I have no other option. 3 of the 6 Saturdays fall on the weekends the Dads are with me. The other 3 they are at their dad's.
This is the determining factor to whether I can continue on the course...

I would continue. Make sure your DDs have contact information in the event of an emergency and that they have basic first aid awareness - and that they are told not to answer the door.

I used to babysit my baby sister when I was nine!

Is your 13 year old happy to take responsibility for your 10 year old for the day? If so then yes, if not then no.

She wouldn't say no but the 10 year old is so chill

My dd's are a similar age (14 and 10) and I'll be leaving them home for the odd day alone when I'm at work in the school holidays. (Up until now my older dd has been alone but younger dd in childcare / at friends houses). Younger dd is in year 6 now and reasonably sensible and I trust older dd not to leave her alone.
While I'm at work I am contactable easily and am only 15 mins from home in case of any emergency.

Don’t not do the course because of this. Try to swap with dad. And if not make other plans. Can you arrange play dates or similar if kids aren’t happy together/alone

I would do the course but start asking friends if they can help if ex isn't able to have them the other Saturdays. I wouldn't want to leave them alone all day (guessing your course would be 9-3ish at least, so 6 hours plus any travel time).

It kind of depends on the surrounding set-up. Are there friendly neighbours around? Would the girls be able to contact you if they were worried about anything? How far away would you be? Do they get on with each other or tend to argue?
If it’s only for 3 days, I’d probably try and make it work, but you’d have to plan lunch etc. beforehand. Something easy like meal deals for them, perhaps?

Could you organise playdates or family member to help out? Looks like you already know the dates so it wouldn’t be springing it on someone last minute. I’m mainly thinking of the younger one here.

I would leave them. Sort out a packed lunch and snacks for them so they don’t need to use and kitchen equipment.
Give them a bit of structure for their day, leave them with contact details in case of emergencies and check in with them when you can.
Giving them a bit of structure will keep them occupied and stop them from getting bored and annoyed with each other.

Yes for context I will be 30 mins away and they have emergency local contacts and yes I will also ask local friends and family to check in and if available take them out but I don't want to be a burden on any family or friends.

I'd probably try and see if anyone would have younger one for a playdate.

Is there anywhere a short walk away where they could go together just to keep them a bit busier for a chunk of time - swimming pool, library? I think it breaks up a long stretch of time. Structure their day a bit, it will stop them doing something daft out of boredom.