Would you leave a 10 year old in the house, alone, for about 20 minutes?

[Janus]

I have to drop a friend of middle daughter, aged 7, home in about 45 mins which also means bringing the 2 year old and 10 year old along.
I have never left my 10 year old alone anywhere but now think that is being a bit over-protective! She actually has a small bit of homework to do, which should take about 15 mins, and she could do it in total peace!!
Shall I leave her?

Yep

Yes, providing she is sensible and would know what to do in an emergency.

Yes, provided she's sensible and capable.

Make sure she knows not to answer the door or phone, and that she has your mobile number.

Yes

Yes, but give him/her rules. I'd say not to touch the cooker, don't answer the door and give them a mobile number just in case.

Yay.

Does watching TV in an emergency count!!
Was going to point out not answering door, didn't think about phone though, good point. Shall leave key in door incase she needs to get out. Is that all I have to think of?

Yes

yes

Can answer phone - could be you saying that she you are stuck in traffic - but if someone she does not know to say that you are in the bathroom and will call back.

yes - no hesitation at all

If the 10 year old is sensible and is likely to sit and play computer/do homework/watch telly etc and won't get scared and go looking for you then yeah, deffo.

If the 10 year old is not sensible and is likely to attempt to cook dinner/do DIY with power tools/cure headache with various pills from medicine cabinet or get scared and go looking for you but end up with some child murdering lunatic(unlikely, I know) then no, deffo not.

Of course. UTGSN.

My daughter used to come home from school by herself at this age and be on her own till I got in from work after 5pm.

I had a list on the wall trying to cover all problems,dont have a bath,use the cooker,answer the phone saying mum is not here etc. I think I used to tell her on the phone to say mum is in the bath, people must of thought I had a bath fetish on the go!

ok bitofun, spent 5 mins now trying to work out 'UTGSN', what is it??!
DD seems absolutely fine with idea, not scared (in fact i think she's quite chuffed/excited), have told her not to even go near the door if it rings, to have phone next to her which has caller ID and so to answer if me or dad, lock herself in (which just checked she can do) and then use same key to get out if needs to, think everything covered!
Shall report back in 40 mins as to how it's all gone!

I leave my 10 year old for short periods.

Unless They have Got Special Needs I assume.

I'd leave a 10 year old ds2 - not sure about ds3 depends whether he's still hot headed-depends on the child but most 10 year olds would be fine I would think. I'm looking forward to ds2 being old enough to watch ds1 - will make life much easier.

shhh

I leave DS who is just 9. Not with his younger sister though.

Surely it should be UTHSN or UTHGSN.

sniff

Yes, I leave 9 yr old and 7 yr old for short periods.

They've I guess rather than They Have.

House still standing and dd perfectly fine and homework done! Amazing!