Would you leave a 9 year old home alone for 1.5 hours?

[Sleepingboy]

Just that really. Got a sick kid and got to work. I either take him to work which won't look good and I'd struggle to work with him there or I leave him for an hour and a half til his older sister gets home.

He's not being sick, just feeling under the weather. Is generally sensible and would watch tv with no problem for the time period.

I would, so long as he knows what to do if there is something unexpected.
We always planned that if DD was unsure then to go and knock on ... door. I also called and checked in regularly whilst they were alone.

I fully appreciate the pressures of work when you have children. I used to say that the house of cards fell down when they were ill, but Isn’t it illegal to leave a 9 year old at home alone? Even if it wasn’t, I think an hour and a half is too long for most 9 year olds to be left alone.

If he's happy to be left home then yes, absolutely. DD is not quite nine yet and is happy home alone for a couple of hours.

It's not illegal, it's up to the parents judgement whether it is appropriate.
I would if he was sensible and knew what to do if there was a fire etc. Otherwise no.

It depends on the child.

My 9 year would be fine, but her 12 year old sister would not have been at 9

My now 14 year old used to panic if left for more than about 10 mins. My now 9 year old would probably be fine, as long as he knew how to contact me. But 1.5 hours still feels a bit long. I leave him for up to about 45 mins to walk dog or exercise but am not comfortable with any longer.

My 8.5yo... I could trust her. She would hate it.
My nearly 7yo... She would be fine with the leaving part... But you never know what bizarre scheme she will come up with next (and will lead her sister into as well... Like trying to go and meet their father from work last week. Only got to the end of the road, but poor streetlights and no pavements!)

I would be able to phone him and he's sensible. Knows how to not open the door and can ring his father if he needs to also....I've just never left him alone before....

I probably would if they have been left alone for short periods before- so long as they weren't being sick.
Lots of conditions though- no eating, no answering the door etc.
Make sure they can contact you. Remind what to do in emergency scenarios etc.
Is there a neighbour at home who they could go to if necessary?????

Could you not just go into work 90 minutes later?

If not, and you think he's sensible enough, just leave him. It'll be fine. We work ourselves up over these things and the outcome is never as bad as we expect.

If he's never been left before, and he's feeling under the weather I wouldn't. Sorry. Not the answer you are after.

Yes it'll be fine.

I wouldn’t. Almost any employer would understand. Explain what has happened and say you won’t take a lunch break or you’ll stay later another day when he is better. Go into work late. If you can’t be 90 minutes late be an hour late then he is only left for 30 minutes before someone turns up. Good luck. Childcare and work are stressful.

40 years ago it wouldn't be a problem (my mother regularly left me home alone from 7) and we have far more sophisticated ways of keeping in touch.

If he's ok with it then I think it's fine.

if you’ve never left him alone then no; I think you need to start out with shorter periods of time before an hour and a half

He'll be fine, make sure he has a way to phone you if he needs you, put on a movie (they normally take 1.5hrs) and provide some snacks and drink

No I wouldn’t my dgs is 10 and I wouldn’t leave him for hour and half.
Definitely not and he is very sensible.

No I wouldn't and my dd is 10 years old and very sensible but I still wouldn't leave her.

I would but it depends on the child.
Leave him some snacks and a drink and put a film on for him.
Leave important telephone numbers for him.

No. I started leaving mine at 11 for very short periods but wouldn't at age 9.

Hmm... as usual, some would and some wouldnt!! I'll see how he feels later. I cannot change the time I go in.

I wouldn't. Especially not for the first time when he's not feeling well.
I'd maybe start leaving him for the odd ten minutes and build up ( when he's feeling better) so that you can both be more confident if this situation arises in the future.
Today- I'd go in work late.

Or I'd use a holiday or family/parental responsibility type situation day and spend today making arrangements in case he's still poorly tomorrow!

If he isn't used to being left, I wouldn't. I think the fact that he is ill enough to be off school means that this is not the best time to leave him for the first time, especially for that long.

It's the right time to start leaving him for short periods - start at 10 mins or so and lengthen gradually.

I would if you say he's sensible.