Would you leave a 9 and a 7 year old at home to nip to the shop?

[Justjax77]

I dragged my kids to the shop last night after Strictly for milk but they insisted I could have left them at home in front of the TV and they would be fine. The shop is about 3 minutes away. What would you do?

I wouldn't leave the 7 year old for at least another year.

I wouldn’t. I have left my 9 year old for 15 minutes quite happily but not until he was 9 (and he’s very sensible).

I have done this 🙄

I leave mine sleeping while I drop DH at the station in the morning. 8-10 minute round trip. I hated it at first and set up ipad to FaceTime them- like a baby monitor. But realised that when I’m asleep and they’re asleep, I’m not watching them anyway so don’t bother with that anymore.

ive left them once to pick him up in the evening, with instructions to run next door if there’s a problem. No eating allowed while I’m gone. I think they’re both sensible enough and can be glued to a screen long enough, that it’s ok to do more often now.

Id still only drive as far as the local station, and leave when dh texts me as he’s arriving. 10 minutes really is my limit at the moment.

I would if it’s a three minute walk, perhaps not if it’s a three-minute drive.

I would

I would, assuming they're sensible kids with no extra needs.

No, 9 and 7 is too young imo. Although there is no law that says at exactly what age you can do this.

No I wouldn’t - if it was milk I’d just do without it or get it in the morning or even just ask one of my neighbours for some

Not until the youngest is 11.

I would never do this.
What if there was a fire?

At 9 & 7 and watching tv they'd leave the house if the smoke alarms went off.

Use Getir it's ace

No I probably wouldn't tbh even though my kids are older. I'd leave the older one on their own (but not sure if DC1 would be comfortable with this as I've never done it) but not the younger one and I wouldn't leave both together because they would argue and end up screaming or even hitting each other.

You may think that the older one may be fine but it's not fair to make them look after the younger one. It's too much responsibility for young shoulders.

11 seems rather late to me. I leave my 9 year old occasionally while I do a nursery run (5 minute walk but I’m probably gone 15-20 minutes in total). I instinctively don’t really like doing it but actually rationally I can’t think of a good reason not to.

What you will only leave them for 10 minutes when they are 11 and 13?! You don't think a nt 12 and 10 year old can be safely left alone in the house for a few minutes?

No, I think that’s too young.

I also leave my 9yo for 20 mins to do the school run for the youngest. He's pretty sensible, knows to leave the house if the alarms go off and run to the neighbour. I do hate it and often phone him on my way home but he feels OK and I think its old enough. I wouldn't leave him with his younger sibling at the moment. I have done for a short pick up when they were asleep in an emergency (15 mins) but with hindsight wish I hadn't and I think I'd wake them if it happened again.

Yes of course.

I'd take the 7yr old and leave the 9yr old for 10 mins if it's 3mins there, in and back. Only walking though! They won't move from the TV.

If they were happy to be left then yes, I would. If they were anxious, no.

It does depend on your dc really. I started to leave my ds for ten minutes at 8. He was ready and very level headed. 7 might be a bit too young though.

I leave my 9 and 7 year old occasionally, if I need to grab something or sometimes when my and DH’s work shifts conflict by 15-20 mins.

But I think it all depends on whether or not they know the neighbors, know what to do if an alarm goes off, if it’s a safe area etc.

Send the 9 yo to the shop!
Mine are 6 and 8 and I leave the eldest while nipping to the shop or taking the dog out. Youngest maybe for 5 mins but she's a little unpredictable.