7 year old child left alone whilst dad goes to the shop

[Pinkie89]

My recently turned 7 year old son has just told me that when he’s at his dad’s, he is sometimes left alone whilst dad goes to the shop. Said shop is a 10 min walk each way. So I’m thinking he’s left alone for a minimum of 30mins! Dad closes the curtains and leaves him a key to get out incase there is a fire.
I am in shock! My son can’t use a key at my house, so I doubt he could use one there! Good forbid something happened. I’m questioning my own judgement but surely this isn’t normal/acceptable? What would you do in this situation? I don’t want to ruin the relationship I have with his dad and make things awkward but I don’t feel like this is something I should have to teach him, as a grown man I’d expect him to know this isn’t ok and very dangerous! Also, he has all week to do his shopping! Or he could grow a pair, realise he’s the parent and tell my son he has to go with him!

I agree. My seven year old can unlock the front door, and I get her to do it most mornings when we leave, for practice. BUT, and here is the but, what if there is a fire in the kitchen, nerves, i can imagine she would freeze. Would she know how to unlock the door then? My husband used to leave her for about 20 minutes and go downstairs as she watched her favourite show on telly. I caught him once and flew off the handle. I just think it´s SO irresponsible. Kids are unpredictable in a crisis.

No, I wouldn't have left either of my kids at 7. We've only just started leaving my son on his own & he's 11. It's not just about if something happens at the house, it's unlikely to spontaneously combust (although kids are curious, so can cause things that wouldn't normally happen by accident). What if something happened to Dad whilst he was out? At what point would someone know that a 7 year old was on their own?

Aside from this, if something did go wrong, then Dad will be liable to prosecution. Does he realise?

Yes, it's very common/normal - I'd say half the houses I've lived in have had upvc doors that locked with a key from the inside. You keep the key in or next to the door.

I understand that, however, what about it isn't ok if the children in other countries have shown they're not at risk by the fact that there isn't an increase in accidents/injuries?