Would you leave your 8 year old DS in the library reading while you went to the shop?

[LittleSleighBellasRinging]

This was the dilemma which faced me yesterday. I needed to go and get some milk because we were running out, he really didn't want to come and suggested that I leave him in the library reading. He insisted he wouldn't talk to any strangers, he wouldn't go off with anyone, and he wouldn't leave the building unless it was a fire alarm and he stayed with the library workers.

I considered it very very seriously and nearly let him, but in the end I was too scared. Was I wrong? I think I probably was, I think at 8 years old he is old enough to be left in that kind of environment, but I just couldn't bring myself to cut the apron strings. I would have been about twenty minutes to half an hour.

So. Am I a responsible parent or a suffocating neurotic risk-averse idiot? When and how should I allow him to do this? What do you think?

My boys' primary school was quite happy to allow ks2 children to leave without an adult. Both mine did that and walked home. I suppose that must be different from leaving a child in the house alone when the school hasn't been informed?

I used to help at school quite a bit and the staff were well aware that if I was setting up for a disco or something like that I'd just give the front door key to ds1 and tell him to let themselves in. I suppose it's that knowledge of what's going on that matters.

I don't understand why it's ok to allow a child to play outside in the street but not to be home alone.