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?

yes - no problem

And thanks to all of you who replied.

Yes, a ten yr old is definately capable of being left for 20 minutes.

yes, although I did notice you have already done it and the world didn't stop turning !

Absolutely yes

Make sure she knows what to do in an emergency and has practiced it all.

My ten year old now walks herself a mile home from school in heavy traffic and with tricky roads to cross. Not every day, but once or twice a week.

Its great to give them progressively more independence, just go a little at a timeso they are confident!

Dear God woman, 10 minutes?! Of course.

I happened to pick up DS1 'Little Red Health' book and saw a message I had forgotten writen in a box on one of the pages.

A child under 12 cannot judge distances and should not be allowed to cross the road alone.

I would not leave DS1 (age 10) home alone - he is a very mature, sensible, well behaved boy but can be incredibly stupid as well and get into real trouble in 5 minutes.

My 10yo DD - yes I would, she is sensible and knows what to do.

YEs i leave DS1 aged 10 for about an hour each week while I take DS2 to his swimming lessons.

Blimey I was looking after 3 brothers/sisters at age 11 as dad left for work before mum got home from night shift!!!

If your 10 yr old is sensible then why not

That red book thing is madness ..A child under 12 can't cross a road? all mine crossed loads of roads alone at 11 when they started secondary school

The instructions in the Little Red Book can hardly be reconciled with the fact that there are virtually no after-school clubs for secondary school children and that they are expected to make their own way to and from school.