Home alone

[Rescueremmum]

Hi

I don't know if this is the right place to ask this but here goes

At what age would you consider being able to leave your child home alone not for hours but to say nip to the shops.

The reason behind me asking this is a week or so back my DD'S class bubble had to be closed because one of the other pupils was covid positive and being not a single parent but my DH works away. It was the day I was meant to be doing my food shopping and had run quite low on things and my DD got isolated but I go still go about my normally activities unless I started showing symptoms. Anyway I struggled because that day meant I had to order shopping online and then order takeaway for tea which made money really tight.

I don't have anyone that could go to the shops for me I only have one friend who lives near me and her DS was also isolated as the children are in the same class.

Me and my mum who doesn't live near me got into a debate of her telling me my child just turned 10 was old enough to stay at home alone while I quickly nipped to the shops, where there is no legal age to leave your children at home in the UK I still felt like she is a bit young.

I could be being an over protective mother here but would like to hear what other parents think??

I think 10 would be ok to leave for a short time as long as they were happy about it

@dementedpixie oh she would be happy about it she had said for about a year she would stay at home while I went to the shops but that's because she hate shopping. I did wonder if it was just me.

We started at about ten with the eldest, while we took the others out.

@greyishdays do you mind if I ask how that went for you? Were they OK did they panic or anything?

They were absolutely fine. We talked through various scenarios and made sure they could phone us.

My youngest has just turned 10, I'm also a line parent. I've just started leaving her while I nip to the local shop/post office, which is about 20-30 minutes tops. She's enjoying the feeling of being trusted and responsible. I wouldn't leave her for longer periods at the moment as I don't drive, so getting back quickly from somewhere further afield if she was panicking or had an emergency would take to long.

I definitely left them for 30 mins or so at 10, possibly longer. Just realised DD, who is my youngest will be 10 next year, and the last one to be allowed to be alone at home

My 11yo and 9yo walk home from school after ASC and are home alone for half an hour when I get home. I call them to make sure they’re home. The school is in the next road so not far, and my neighbours know.

I’d say when they’re in secondary school. In the situation you describe maybe depending on the child but is ‘nipping’ to the shops realistically going to take 20 or 30 minutes? It took me 30 mins to drive a couple of miles back from the supermarket last week!

It generally will take me 15 mins on a good day, I live right behind a couple of supermarket branch shops so I am quite lucky that way, she originally walked home from school between September and October half term but they have stopped this now with the dark nights rolling in, I also live quite close tho the school and can see it from where I live

DD (11 now) started staying home for brief periods at 9.5 years. She is extremely mature and sensible though.

I think it greatly depends on each child's personality.

Her sister is only 2 at the moment but much more spirited so I imagine her being a bit older when we cross this bridge!

When the shop is so close by there is no reason you can't leave her.

Sounds fine then if you’re a short walk from the shop. As long as she has access to a phone and someone to call just in case