What age did you leave your child to babysit siblings

[Eness23]

Hey everyone
im curious to know what age you think is acceptable for a child to be left in charge of younger siblings?
(younger siblings 10 & 5)
wholst a parent is at work for example

16

Entirely dependent on the kids. Will they play up? Will they listen? Is the big one likely to go on a power trip? Certainly not younger than 14.

I think 15/16 assuming a sensible teenager and younger kids aren’t really hard work

My eldest is 14 and I will leave her with a 12yo and a 9yo for up to about 90min, depending on how far I'm going. For example the other day I went swimming for 50min and left her with the 9yo. Short enough time that they don't argue.

I wouldn't leave them with her for a boozy pub evening in town, but might for a couple of pints in my local. Wouldn't leave over night or all day at that age, I think she would need to be minimum 16y (and the others would then be 14 and 11 anyway).

I think with a 5 year old at least 16.

Nspcc advice

Leaving a child alone with siblings

If your child has an older sibling or step-sibling, you might feel more comfortable leaving them home together, especially if one child is older.
There’s no legal age a child can babysit – but if you leave your children with someone who’s under 16 you’re still responsible for their wellbeing.
You should also think carefully about leaving your child alone with an older brother or sister. If they fall out, you won’t be around to make the peace.
*
*Consider how well your children get on. Do they fight when you aren't there? Are they able to resolve a conflict between them peacefully?

•   <strong>*Talk to your older child before leaving them in charge.</strong> Ask if they feel comfortable looking after their younger brother or sister alone. You shouldn't leave them in charge if they don't feel comfortable.
  

•   <strong>*Does one of your children have complex needs?</strong> Think carefully about whether your child needs adult supervision, in case something goes wrong and they need support.
  

•   <strong>*Agree some house rules</strong>. We have some suggestions to help with these above. 
  

•   <strong>*Check your older child knows what to do in an emergency.</strong> And come up with a safety plan for them to follow when you aren't there.
  

•   <strong>*Leave them a list of contact numbers.</strong> Include all your contact numbers, friends or family members, any trusted neighbours and the emergency services.
  

•   <strong>*Do a trial run.</strong> Try leaving them together for a short period of time, while you're still close by, and build this up over time. 
  

•   <strong>*Plan some activities for them to do while you're out.</strong> Both you and your children might feel more comfortable if they're focused on an activity &ndash; like watching a film or playing a board game.
  

www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/in-the-home/home-alone/

DS1 would be in charge of siblings for a couple of hours from about 14; his brothers would have been 11 & 6
DS2 would collect younger brother from school on his way home from secondary, and would look after him for a few hours after school from about 12, so youngest would have been 7.
I worked very locally, and it wasn't every afternoon.
The older ones would have been home alone together during school holidays from about 11/12, but I worked short days, DH was sometimes around, and grandma would look in. Younger one would be in childcare till I started working in schools and got school holidays off.
Mine were sensible and were mostly lying around on devices rather than doing anything active:dangerous!

16 here, but only for a maximum hour when I was out locally and they are very sensible.

I’m not I would leave a child to care for a five year old all day whilst I worked. I really think you need childcare. It doesn’t seem like reasonable thing to ask, don’t they have their own life?

Thanks everyone I decided against it.
it was just a thought and I was intrigued to know the thoughts of others.