Do you think it would be ok to leave DD alone for approx 2 hours tomorrow?

[TequilaMockinBird]

I have a meeting to go to tomorrow with work and my CM is off for the Christmas holidays.

I will be away from the house for 2 hours max - do you think it would be ok to leave DD (11) on her own?

I could possibly leave her with a neighbour or my grandmother but she's desperate to prove to me that she's mature enough to be left alone for a while.

I may be being a bit PFB here but I've never left her alone before for more than a couple of minutes!

Any advice?

is she likely to follow any rules you lay down whilst you are away (i.e no making hot food, answering the door etc)?

does she have a number she could get you on for emergencies or questions?

Could your neighour or the grandmother be on the end of the phone if she needed them?
My 11 year old wont be left on her own though my 8 year old is fine.
Can you do a 20 min test run in the morning, she might not like it.

hello UM

I will have my mobile on me and can even answer it when driving (bluetooth) so I would be reachable at all times.

I'm going to a customer's site - approx 10 miles away. It would take me 15 mins tops to get back from there should I need to.

I too was left alone at this age but when it's my own DD it's very different!

Hello Lou

She's eleven. Assuming she isn't the type to experiment with matches, chainsaws or deep-fat fryers in your absence, it's not a problem.

Round here 11 y-olds cross London on public transport to get to secondary school every day. Which is a great deal more risky than hanging out at home on the sofa watching Friends on catchup, or piddling about on Msn (which is presumably what she'll likely be doing while you're away). Statistically, she'd be more at risk in a car or on the street, even with you.

Make sure she has a contact no to phone in case the house spontaneously combusts, and make sure she has her mobile switched on so you can all her if you need to.

Honestly, it'll be fine.

Think it sounds fine imo

well , i may not be the best person to take advice from, but i would do it, though of course it depends on your child

I think if you do do it, do a small test run in the morning, and leave the radio/telly on. Its amazing how normal noises magnify into something freaky when you are alone. And make sure you leave phone number/teach to use phone(possibly put number in and teach her how to redial?)

it depends on the child really. have a number she could call in an emergency.

I was left alone all day sometimes at a much younger age than this but times change...thank god!

If she's happy to be left and is a sensible 11 year old I cant see a problem

wow doesnt it go quick! Tell her happy birthday from me!

i will

Thanks all, I'm sure she will be fine but as I've never left her before I just wanted some reassurance!

She will be sat on msn the whole time I'm away and, actually probably wont even notice I'm not there

Will leave my mobile number programmed into the phone and also grandma's number just in case!

just put some rules in place about no hot food or drink, no answering the door or the phone (you could organise a special ring if you need to call her , like ring twice hang up then call again)

make sure she has a key for the doors, and contact numbers for someone close in case etc

i am sure she will be fine tho, and be asking you to go out and leave her alone more often

She'll be fine. Better to leave her alone at home anywhere else.

Lay down the rules - no answering the door, no cooking, list of contact numbers and all that.

I was catching the bus into town at 10 and I don't think times have changed so much that I would have been safer doing that 30 yrs than sitting at home now, iyswim.

It is scary isnt it? My ds (age 11) went to the shop for me a couple of weeks ago (5 minute walk, one quiet road to cross opposite my mum's house, then a crossing to use).

I nearly pooed my pants!

Yes, it will be fine. Leave strict rules re Dos and Don'ts and remind her that if she cocks up then you won't be able to leave her alone again for some time. Try and call an hour in to check she's OK.

It is really scary!

She will be walking to and from school on her own after the holidays which was the first step towards me 'cutting the apron strings'

But now this meeting has come up and so I have to let her grow up a whole week earlier

How did it go?

It was fine

She was in exactly the same position on the sofa when I returned as she was when I left - with her laptop on her knee

Not really sure what I was panicking about now!

lol, excellent!