At what age?

[PumpkinKlNG]

At what age would you leave a child home alone for an hour to run errands etc? I’m a single mum to 4 and I am a lone parent, during the holidays it means they have to come absolutely everywhere with me which can be difficult, just wondering what age is acceptable to leave kids home alone?

One child on their own, 9 or 10 depending on the child. However leaving more than one is trickier I think, and I would want the oldest to be at least 13/14

9/10 if they're sensible and its only an hour. Possibly 8 if there's an older child of say 12/13, they're all trustworthy and I'm not going far

8.5 up alone (but only for 15 mins max at the younger end).

To be together, 10 and over but with the oldest at least year 8

I would say - it all depends on the children and environment.

I leave my nearly 10 year old for 30 mins or so alone. 12 year old for a couple of hours.

Leave them both together for a couple of hours one weeknight per week pending dh arrival home.

But they're calm sensible kids generally. They are settled in their rooms playing on vid games when I leave them.

It depends on a lot of things as other posters have mentioned.

What I will ask though is what is it you are worried about? Anything in particular?

Thanks, I would really only be leaving the 9 year old I have a 10 year old but she is autistic so wouldn’t be leaving her and the others are 7 and 4 so too young but even just one less makes it much more manageable, it’s just things like the bank or post office where it becomes difficult having to queue etc, I guess I’m most worried about someone knocking! He knows not to answer the door if someone knocks but that’s what worries me mainly

@PumpkinKlNG

Thanks, I would really only be leaving the 9 year old I have a 10 year old but she is autistic so wouldn’t be leaving her and the others are 7 and 4 so too young but even just one less makes it much more manageable, it’s just things like the bank or post office where it becomes difficult having to queue etc, I guess I’m most worried about someone knocking! He knows not to answer the door if someone knocks but that’s what worries me mainly

If he's ok with it then I think fine for shortish errands . Does he have text messages/phone?

And is there someone around - neighbour/granny?

I leave mine as above but we have several close neighbours plus my parents are 5 mins drive away

I think building up the amount of time left between the ages of 8 and 10 is a good idea. So a quick 5-10 minute run to the corner shop at 8, then gradually building up to an hour or two during the day by 10.
I wouldn't leave in the evening until secondary age though.