Advice needed please.

[MummyStruggles]

My DD is 10 y/o. She's off to high school next year, obviously, I'll be in work from 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday. She'll finish school at 3.30pm and I won't get home from work until around 6.00pm. DH also wouldn't be home until the same time.

If anyone finds themselves in the same boat, what do you plan on "doing" with your DC once they've finished school and you're still stuck at work? At the moment I pay for after school club facilities but I'm guessing these won't be available at high school, apart from the odd after school activity.

Are children "allowed" to be home during the day on their own? If so, would you trust your 11 y/o at home alone for a couple of hours?

I used to go to my Nan's for a brief period...then I just went home. A lot of the children who are friends with my 11 year old go home alone...I would certainly trust mine and have done.

I make sure she knows the rules....no cooking other than a toasted sandwich...dinner is made when I get home. Also no answering the door and no friends home either.

It's that horrible year where there's no childcare and yet you feel like they're still to young.

Mine are now yr 8 and 9. I let them get on with it. It's amazing once you get to April sorting time with a yr 7 how much older they became and leaving them doesn't feel neglectful anymore.

I started leaving ds for an hour or 2 during the day from the end of year 6 to get him used to the idea, made sure he could get himself a snack etc.

Then I took 2 weeks parental leave to help him settle into high school so I was there when he got home - but as parental leave is unpaid so not everyone has this option.

When I went back to work he stayed home alone from when he got home 3.45) till I arrived at 6pm and he's always been fine, loves the peace and quiet!

There are clubs at high school plus the library but only till about 4.15 and I was keen DS walked home with other kids around at 3.10.

And I completely agree with Fizzy, they do seem too young to leave alone! School holidays especially!

Thanks everyone!!

Yes, it's going to be an awkward stage really. She's already really independent so I don't think I'll have any issues.

Just difficult the thought of letting go of the reigns a bit I suppose.

I'm not sure I would let go of their reigns at 11YO, Your DD is obviously sensisble, but a regular 2hrs+ a day is OTT. Put a "no cold callers" sign up at home; and make sure she has a contact phone number and mobile phone AAT. Strive to find an alternative situation by flex-work, Grand-Parents, or well known family friend. What happens when someone calls, what happens when the toaster catches fire, what happens if you cut yourself badly etc. Adults have enough problems with such events, make sure you cover them with your DD.