Age to leave a child at home alone?

[Kidsncats]

At what age would you leave a child at home to pop to the shops or to pick up a sibling from school?
I'm looking at 15 mins max out of the house not a full weekly shop at the supermarket!

[alita7]

I can see why it's sometimes necessary. DP has left dsd (10) alone while be popped to the shop (literally a 2 minute walk) when she was off scjool sick butnot being sick or anything like that, just up coughing all night so too tired for school) but he and her were texting the whole time. but while she is 10 she has ld and is more like a 6 year old and very clumsy so the next day when I had her I made her come with me to get lunch as I didn't feel comfortable leaving her when in my care. We started getting ready at about 11 and didn't get out til half 3 she needed a shower which took time and did not want to go so she played up. so I see why people leave them when it can take so long to get a child who just wants to watch films to leave the house.

[LongPieceofString]

Mumtobealloveragain, yes I do leave 7yo on her own occasionally but more usually with 9yo at home too. So far though it is just when I am popping round to neighbours house and she is engrossed in TV and doesn't want to come with me. Our house and neighbours are connected by gardens so she can get to me without using any roads.

Both DC have practised phoning me, and know that they can knock on x y and z neighbour doors if they needed to. And aren't allowed to use kettle/toaster/microwave without me or DH being there.

I walked to and from school by myself from infants, and I remember being allowed to go shopping and to the library in local town by myself aged 8.

[17leftfeet]

I left dd1 at 9 and dd2 at 8 for about 15 minutes

From 11 I would leave dd1 from about 8am and she would lock up and leave the house at 8.30

Now she's 13 and proved herself to be very sensible I will leave her in the daytime

Dd2 is only 10 so I still use full childcare for her but will leave her at home for an hour or so

Evenings are a different matter though

I've been invited on a night out in a few weeks, dd2 will sleep at a friends but dd1 has asked to stay home by herself and I'm just not sure

[Brunette84]

My son turned 10 a few weeks ago and is very mature and responsible for his age. I want to start using the gym and want to go at 6am for an hour while he is still in bed. I cannot go in the daytime due to work or evening as I have no babysitter. He has a mobile phone and I trust him to call me if he needed me.
I spoke to social services for advice and they said no as 10 was too young (didn't mention the gym just about age of being left alone). I said ok so he can't be left in the comfort of his own home but can walk a 20 min journey to school alone crossing roads and stuff and that's ok? They said there is no law but neighbours could report me or call the police if they see him left alone. I can't get my head around that if there is no law. Obviously if you leave them all day every day or a three year old alone that's just stupid but for an hour a couple of days a week while he sleeps I don't see an issue. Left him for 30 min today as a one off and he was txt me the whole time as found it a novelty that his mum trusted him but he was left with rules such as not to make toast or answer the door etc and it was fine.
Any other parents at this stage just now and need some reassurance? Thanks

[Bookworm04]

My DS is 12 nearly 13 and wants to stay at home all day while im at work. have said no for these holidays but next year when he will be 13 nearly 14 would it be ok. He is quite mature for his age.

[Robertturner123]

Hi I'm new here, I'm a seperated parent of 2 kids, I've just found out for the last year my ex partner has been leaving my 5 year girl with my 9 months son home alone just to pop to the shop, I'm fuming really don't think that is right any advise please, obvs my kids live with her and i have them every other weekend and couple times during the week for few hours and leave when there in bed and the mum gets home from work, I know this is so risky they should never be left alone, need advise

[Kingsclerelass]

I left my Ds at 7 but I was only jogging on the road outside - always in sight of the house.
Then 8 for about 10 mins and gradually up from there but only if Ds is ok with the plan.

[Kingsclerelass]

Rt123, I wouldn't unless the shop was literally next door and even then probably not.
Is your ex working full time, struggling with workload, does she have any family support if she runs out of calpol or loo roll?
I wouldn't blow a fuse because if she's already stressed, that won't help. Ask her why, tell her you are really worried & work out how it can be avoided.
Is she going just to have five minutes peace? Remember you look after your dcs 60 hours per fortnight, she does 275 hours and works too.
Leaving them at that age isn't ok. You need to find out why.