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Original poster

11 year old home alone?

61 replies

QualitySweetHero · 28/12/2020 11:45

DC is 11 and in year 7.

i work in primary so will be going back on the 4th. (in theory)

DC will be online learning until the 11th supposedly.

I have not left them home alone for more then 2 hours before. I haven't heard back about key worker places yet - I know they are on a well deserved break so understand the delay but I really want a rough plan in my head incase. Plus DC is very resistant to going in on key worker provisions as they did for the entire first lockdown due to being in year 6.

Would you leave an 11yo home 8-4?

OP posts:
NothingIsWrong · 28/12/2020 11:47

I had to during the first lockdown. It was OK, but not ideal at all. I can't believe we've gone from "how could you leave your 15yo for half an hour" to "of course an 11yo can stay at home and teach themselves 30 hours a week"

SufferingFromLongLockdown · 28/12/2020 12:08

I wouldn't leave my 11 year old for that long, but you know your 11 year old best.
I'm also staggered that parents are faced with these choices. It's madness

notevenat20 · 28/12/2020 12:10

It's really not great. Can they at least have a zoom connection open to you all day?

caringcarer · 28/12/2020 12:11

I would not leave a child of that she home alone. Hopefully your child will have a key workers place they are entitled too.

Spied · 28/12/2020 12:13

I wouldn't.

KarmaNoMore · 28/12/2020 12:13

Probably for one day but not for 2-5 days at a time, and all depending how mature and independent he is.

twistedkaleidoscope · 28/12/2020 12:15

I would. It's only for a week and if you trust them to be alone go for it. When I started high school it was there's a key you have a phone let yourself in after school until parents finished work. I loved it.

Coasterfan · 28/12/2020 12:18

I leave mine for that length of time but not every day and he has DD13 with him. We also live in the most boring cul de sac in existence and they know all the neighbours in case of emergency, they both have phones and we call them every hour. They are also both very sensible and I make sure they have a packed lunch and lots of snacks and drinks. I think every day might be a bit much from a loneliness perspective though. I did it 2 days a week through June when they couldn’t go back to school but I was expected back to face to face work with certain clients.

movingonup20 · 28/12/2020 12:18

If you are a key worker they should allow her to return to school

Coasterfan · 28/12/2020 12:19

Sorry just reread it’s only for a week of indefinitely. I think it’s fine.

Porcupineintherough · 28/12/2020 12:20

Yes I would if they preferred it to key worker provision. Mine would have been fine at that age.

daisypond · 28/12/2020 12:22

If your 11 year old is sensible, I would. Mine would have been OK. Can you contact them at lunch time, break time, between lessons?

Houseplantmad · 28/12/2020 12:22

Email the head of year. We took in more than just keyworker children last time so there is some flexibility, depending on circumstances.

cansu · 28/12/2020 12:23

Ask for a key worker place.

TheKeatingFive · 28/12/2020 12:24

Nope. Not for a week. I can’t believe people are being put in this position tbh.

Can she buddy up with someone else? Or can you get someone to come and keep an eye on her?

Kitcat122 · 28/12/2020 12:26

I had to at the end of last term as year 7 closed. I too work in a school. I left lots of food. I rang at my break and lunch to talk to him. He was OK but found it a long day. Would do it again if I had to but not overly comfortable about it. Up until then he had only been left for a few hours.

formerbabe · 28/12/2020 12:28

If I had absolutely no other choice then perhaps...
I wouldn't be happy about it though. If he can go into school I think he definitely should

NothingIsWrong · 28/12/2020 12:31

@notevenat20

It's really not great. Can they at least have a zoom connection open to you all day?
Not many jobs would allow you to do this, mine wouldn't.
Fileexplorerrrr · 28/12/2020 12:31

I would but only because they’re a very mature 11 year old. My sister at that age would have been a completely different answer. It all depends on the child.

LittleGungHo · 28/12/2020 12:34

Could your child go into work with you and sit at the back of the room and do their school work there?

May be impractical but another option if your school would allow it.

ragged · 28/12/2020 12:35

My 11 yr olds would have been ok with that time on their own. Neighbours as someone they could go to if couldn't get hold of me.
I'd prefer keyworker place if possible.

notevenat20 · 28/12/2020 12:38

Not many jobs would allow you to do this, mine wouldn't.

True.

RedskyAtnight · 28/12/2020 12:46

Yes I think that's fine. Realistically they will be in constant communication with their friends all day so not if they will be totally isolated. When they did online learning earlier in the year, my DD always used to FaceTime one of her friends during each lesson and they worked through the lesson together - it actually felt quite sociable!

user1487194234 · 28/12/2020 12:49

I wouldn't

Santaisreel · 28/12/2020 12:50

There will be a higher amount of pupils in school this time round. I'm in Scotland though so I'm guessing slightly different to OP but our teachers are all in from the 11th - last time round it was skeleton staff. Having all teaching staff in means more places for key worker children and vulnerable children. She may not be as alone as she thinks by taking a place.