Leaving kids for 5 minute late night walk?

[OneOliveOtter]

Husband and wife went out for a quick walk an hour ago whilst kids were sleeping (3 and 5). Gone for just over five minutes. Unreasonable or not?

I don't know how you could be sure they were left alone, surely you're not watching their house from both sides all the time to see if they have guests or if the children are away for the night? Also if you've seen one of the children sat on the sill with the window open, you need to say something to them, have you?

You are wrong! This happened to us. You couldn’t see inside our home within minutes. The investigators told us that electrical fires, although not common, do happen often. In our case a faulty light switch which was only wired in 3 years previously.

Luckily we were all fine because it was the day time. Had we been sleeping, we would have been overcome with smoke.

Does that mean you should never go to sleep?

Sorry that happened to you, must've been awful

I don't understand the context:

1. Are you the husband or wife? I'd absolutely suggest you do not leave your children home alone at that age regardless of whether you plan to be 5 minutes or not- even when they are sleeping.

2. Are you a neighbour? How can you be sure this happened? Was there not another adult in the house you're not aware of? I think you need all the facts before taking any actions.

3. I can't think of anywhere I'd go to for just 5 minutes if it meant leaving my children at home by themselves. They're too precious to me.

4. Final point. Don't leave your kids home alone. They need supervision and security at all times. 🙂

No, what a bizarre question?!

5 min it’s fine in my opinion. We spent much longer in the garden while the kids sleep inside. But where did they go for 5 min? Too short to actually go anywhere

Kids can die in their homes from accidental injuries in less than 5 mins

I wouldn't leave them upstairs on their own at that age. Accidents happen quick.

So what do you do? No guests of an evening or expect them to come in your bedroom? And adult dinner and glass of wine on the landing?

Well, I'm in the house so I wouldn't leave them where I couldn't hear them or be aware of their movements etc. I'd have gates at the stairs, top and bottom, and can hear their feet so make sure they're not roaming. Also, there are those speaker things so I can listen in, cameras etc. Lots of ways to supervise but all of it useless if I'm not in the house.

You said you wouldnt leave them upstairs alone

Well, with cameras, speakers and me listening, they're not alone are they. I don't like the pedantic game.