Kids left alone

[Beetlewing]

The kids dad left them alone in the house while he went to Sainsbury's last night while I was at work. Dd7 said while they (her and DS9) were alone in the house the door knocked, she opened it because she "thought it was daddy but it was some parcels" I'm cross. I want to bring down all the fury I feel as a protective mother on his ass......however I feel there's not much I can do about it, if he's doing the 'parenting' while I'm at work. Wwyd?

Are you and their dad together?

I would very calmly say that you're not sure they're mature enough to be left by themselves (they opened the door to a complete stranger!!) and ask that he doesnt do it again.

Do not go apeshit. It will solve nothing and make the entire situation worse.

Number 1 rule is for them not to open the door
How long was he gone for?
Why not take the kids to?

Just ask calmly and say you'd prefer them not to be home alone just yet

Unless you are separated I see this as a joint decision and one to be parked if either parent is not comfortable with it.

Ideally that would be the same if you were separated but probably not as easy to negotiate.

Bringing down all the fury on his ass is not going to help here. At 9 and 7, depending on the kids, I'd say is on the cusp of beginning to be left alone for a little while.
Is Sainsbury's a 10 min trip to the end of the street, or a 3 hour round trip for the weekly shop? That makes a big difference.

Did he explain to them before he left not to answer the door? If he did, but they did it anyway then they're prob not ready to be left. If he didn't, why not, did he prep them in anyway? I would make sure they knew where I was going, how long I would be, that they knew how to summon help, be that going to a specific neighbour or knowing how to use the home and who to call. That they should stay indoors and not answer the door, I would use s key to let myself in etc etc.

It's a discussion to be had as it will be coming up again the next year or two anyway, and would be good if you're both in agreement about what is/is not acceptable.

Thanks for your helpful responses. He brought it up and acknowledged himself it wasn't the right thing to do. We agreed to a quick nip to the corner shop is fine if it's an emergency dash but not driving. Supermarket is two miles away on country lanes. I feel reassured