Just left my son home alone for first time, he's 7, was I wrong, what would you have done.

[bouncy]

OK, my son was ill this morning, he had diarear (sp sorry) and couldn't go to school. He was sometimes going every 5 mins.

My dp left for work this morning with the youngest buggy in the back of his car together with the remaining nappies.

Also we had run out of milk and break, normally this wouldn't be a problem as would nip to shop, but I didn't want to risk ds having an accident in the shop, as his trips to the loo had been very frequent, but I was out of nappys and needed to change little one and also to get the bread and milk.

My ds who 7.5 is extremely sensible, and knows the dangers of doing things he shouldn't, the shop is 15 houses up the road, no road to cross, so I dressed LO and we both ran to the shop and straight back, gone for 2 mins in total, when I came back ds was exactly where I left him, reading on the settee.

I don't know why I am beating myself up about this, guess its that time of the month when I feel awful.

Just wanted to know what you would have done, I did knock my neighbours who was out, and the others he would have been much safer on his own.

so would I

I don't see any problem at all. There's another thraed about leaving 5 year olds with some interesting discussions on it.

so would I

You did the only thing you could. I would have felt uncomfortable doing it but given the same situation, what else can you do? Don't be too hard on yourself.

My 7.5 yo will stay at home while I nip down the road to the shops (5 mins). Can't see a problem with it, myself. Assuming you've told him not to touch the carving knives, the cooker or the DIY tools, not to open the front door or answer the phone, what, realistically is going to happen?

same, no other option did you really
I've done if for less needy reasons

I did it yesterday! Only with an ill five-year-old at home, not a seven-year-old. And I crossed a road.

But yeah, quick trip to the shops, in a special circumstance, sounds perfectly fine.

Thanks for your replies, I just felt guilty and didn't know if I was breaking the law.

It's not strictly speaking illegal (if you're in the UK, anyway), but if something went wrong, you might be charged.

I leave my 7.5 year old to go down to the shop (also about 2 minutes walk) when he's not ill.

He likes it. And he's old enough. Don't worry, it's not illegal. At some stage kids have to be able to be left on their own for short periods (building up gradually as they get older) and I think round about 7 for most kids is probably the right time to start.

I think it's one of those judgements that only you can make at that time given the circumstances. I think that what you did was preferable to taking him with you and him having an accident in the shop (mortifying for a 7 yr old).

I am very uncomfortable with people leaving young children unattended on a regular basis because I think they end up doing it without a thought for the possible consequences - but you sound like you took every precaution possible.

At the age of 8, my dd2 is allowed to go to the shop on her own or with her 9 year old sister, and that involves crossing a road. I don't see any difference really - they are alone and unsupervised and trusted to behave.

don't stress I'd have done the same.

Just to add to the chorus of voices, I'd have done that too (although I'd have probably had a knot in my stomach while doing it even though logically I would know he was safe, iyswim).

Alternatively, I'd probably phone round some friends who I knew were at home to beg for favours (not always possible I know!!)

I would have done the same thing don't worry about it

Absolutely no problem IMO.

Would have done absolutely the same. Wouldn't be feeling remotely guilty either. You did the best thing for your child Bouncy.

yep me too.

I would have done the same if my ds was this age.

Though I am the most paranoid person on the face of the EARTH so I would probably have had a PLAN for my DH to phone ds in 10 mins to check I was back safely....then at least when that truck left the road for no reason and ploughed into me, dh would have known something was amiss and could have come home for ds.

Phew...it's not easy being this paranoid. Think I have just realised the exact extent of my madness

I think what you did was fine, for any normal, sane person

I would have taken him with me.

Trust me to be the odd one out!!

I would have done too.

If you ever have to do it again and it worries you you could always stay connected to him by you calling yuor house from your mobile phone.

thanks for all your replies, I have decided that I did the right thing, and shouldn't have felt guilty. I guess it was the shock of doing it for the first time.

I know my own son and know that he was sensible and trustworthy, and 2 mins wasn't a big deal. I know that some 7 yr olds probably couldn't be trusted, but like I said, I have a sensible 7 year old going on 70 some times lol.

TBH the first time he got up to get another book, he had to rush to the loo after a minute, so i,m thinking he could have quite easily had an accident on the way or there, which I know he would have been mortified about. He feels chuffed that I trusted him, and I have explained its something I won't be making a habit of just yet.