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Parenting

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Original poster

what age to leave them alone in the house?

9 replies

Titania · 23/08/2004 08:20

I just wondered what age people think it is ok to leave their children alone in the house, or if there is a law stating a minimum age?

Im not talking for ages, just while you are out at the shops for an hour or so. I can't remember what age my mother left me alone (probably too young!!)

My children are only 4, 2 and 6 months, and I cannot imagine EVER leaving the house without them and leaving them alone.

The woman down the road from me leaves her 9 year old alone while she goes shopping. Her opinion is that he can use the phone if he needs her desperatley.

Just wondered what everyone else thought and how old you children were/will be when you leave them?

OP posts:

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Miriam2 · 23/08/2004 08:38

My ds was in year 6, therefore 10/11 when I first left him to pop to the shops for milk or pick dh up from the station, 30 mins max. Now he's at secondary school he stays home alone for longer periods but only during the day. I always have my mobile with me. Funnily enough we were talking about it yesterday and he said at first it was scary and now it's just boring!

Not sure if there's a legal age but you'll know when your own child is ready.

MeanBean · 23/08/2004 09:00

There's no legal age, but if a child comes to any harm while being left alone, you could be prosecuted.

tallulah · 23/08/2004 18:00

There have been loads of threads about this! Try a search on the archived threads

(Sorry, would try a link but DS2 has just made my dinner )

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

tallulah · 23/08/2004 18:01

(PS, mine were 11, 9, 7 & 5. It was the day Diana died & we'd just popped to Homebase, because we lead SUCH an exciting life!!)

PaulaRadcliffe · 23/08/2004 18:06

DS is 8 and I would leave him from 10. In Tallulahs position I would be quite happy to leave them though at those ages together.

Branster · 23/08/2004 18:23

I thought the legal age was 11 in UK. Just from what I've heard , never actually seen it written anywhere.

blossomhill · 23/08/2004 20:00

I wouldn't be happen until my 2 children were at least 13.

suedonim · 23/08/2004 21:39

The earliest I've left ours has been about 13yo but I definitely wouldn't leave them in charge of any other children at that young age. They'd have to be 15/16-ish before I'd consider them responsible enough. Dd1 fell down the stairs and sprained her ankle when she was 13 or 14 and I felt guilty enough about being out when that happened.

Chocol8 · 24/08/2004 21:16

Along the same lines - is there a minimum age where they can be left in a car on their own? I only ask cos I think it's 16, but my ds was left in the car with my childminder's dd who is only 11. I was so angry - it puts the responsibility onto the older child and this isn't on.

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