Would you leave a sensible 12 yr old home alone?

[BluebellTheDonkey]

For 2 hours? I am wondering if this would be acceptable, once a week. Its my DS, he is a mature sensible lad and knows not to answer the door, keep his phone by him etc.
Would you? Or is it too long?

Yes, definitely. He would be fine.

If it was properly planned Nd they were OK with then yes I would and according to mn I am very risk averse so it should be fine!

Yes

Yes of course.

Yes of course.

12 year olds allowed to go to school themselves so couple of hours alone shouldn't be a problem

Yes.

Yes. If course. At that age they are quite capable of being sensible and responsible. In fact I think it does them a world of good giving the some independence.

Of course!

Yes, I do several times a week, since he was 11.

Yes, and I have.

He will be fine.

Of course.

Yes. I would.

Thanks! Very pleased to read all the positive replies. He has been nagging for ages about not being dragged along to younger brother's swimming lessons, a 10 min drive away. Would be on his own 3-5pm. In an emergency I could ring my parents who are just down the road. (I'm overthinking it now)
We'll give it a go.

Yes.
It is normal for secondary school kids to fend for themselves for a while after school.

Without a doubt.

Of course. I left my DS all day (7.15-5.15) for the first time the month before he turned 12.

Goodness me most definitely

Yes.

Yes and have.

Blu that's why I posted to find out what normal is! Seems I may have been a little, ahem, overprotective Have always worked school hours so always been around at the end of the school day. Guess its skewed my view a little. Anyway thanks everyone, here's to a more independent DS!

2 hours, yes, definitely.

I am guessing your DS is a fan of MN right now, OP?

Yes. Great age for some independence..

And some space. We all need it.

Stealth no, more like Netflix, and a very boring American lego youtuber whose name escapes me. He drones on and on about lego sets and I occasionally feign interest.

Yes, I would and I leave my almost 11 year old daughter alone when I'm bringing the younger ones to swimming/parties/shopping - all the usual toing and froing. She also goes swimming/shopping/to the cinema with friends. She'll be going to "big" school in September and will be making her own way there and back and some days she might be home an hour before me and the rest of the kids so I wanted her to feel confident before that happens.