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?

No. I didn't leave mine until he was 10 for a few minutes. And never the dc's together.

Yes, I would if they had a means of contacting me while I was out. Presuming they're both sensible kids, I'd rather leave them alone together than leaving the elder alone completely.

Absolutely fine. Unless you’re leaving a lit cigarette on your flammable sofa, there really isn’t going to be a fire as a PP mentioned.
I assume you have a shower or go to the toilet in peace occasionally. As long as the 9 year old is fine with it, so it. There’s a reason there’s no law against it. It’s in your discretion. No one here knows your kids, so talk to them and decide. But I’ve done the same many times when needed.

Yep, I have.

I would if they seemed occupied, they aren't babies and we can all come up with worse case scenarios but we also have to try and live our lives.

Yes, I would have run up to the corner shop (top of the road). I could be there and back inside five minutes. You know your own kids best.

No.

No but they wouldn't have let me. I did as soon as they were were comfortable nipped to the post office (10 and 12)

No.

Yes.

Yes. I would.

Not until 8.

11 though is ridiculous, would have meant going from nothing, to half an hour in the morning and two hours after school for DS.

Depends where the shop is. Corner shop two mins away yes.

You live in a rural location and it's a 15 min drive. No I wouldn't.

I did.

I spent a lot longer teaching them how to call me on the house phone and from their iPads, door answering instructions and reminding of fire safety than I would have spent taking them with me. Then set a ten minute alarm for us both and told them to call me then daddy if I wasn't home in that time.

I was back in six minutes. All was fine. It was liberating.

End of the day it's always better safe than sorry isn't it?

I've done this myself, same as you, literally 3 mins.
I also bottle propped when exhausted.
I drink alcohol.

I do things like we all do to cut corners and that we know are probably best not being done at all.

When I left mine she was 5 and the other was 13 and I explained to both what to do like not answer door and to sit there and do nothing. I felt confident in that moment they would be fine, and they were. But in all honesty I should never have risked it, just like I shouldn't risk my health, but I do and will continue to do so on a case by case basis.

I did, I also sent them to the shop 3 mins away. Children do vary though, mine are sensible

I don't leave my 9 year old, but after reading these comments maybe I will (if necessary - not to go out on a jolly :)

As others have said, knowing your neighbours really well would help.

No.

you just don’t know what could happen. To you as much as to them.

I think it's too young but certainly if the 9 year old automatically because responsibility for the 7 year old, that's too much responsibility at that age

When I left mine she was 5 and the other was 13 and I explained to both what to do like not answer door and to sit there and do nothing. I felt confident in that moment they would be fine, and they were. But in all honesty I should never have risked it, just like I shouldn't risk my health, but I do and will continue to do so on a case by case basis.
I'd have left a young child with a teen too. I was babysitting my sibling when we were 14 and 3 for whole workdays when they were ill. Under 13 and I would treat it like I was leaving the youngest on their own.

Yes I would. I’m quite risk averse but it seems to me the tiny risk of leaving them at home for a few minutes is no greater than the risks that come from taking them with you.

Yes

By 11 ours will be in a London bus to school, but 10 they will be walking to school. 9 they are up to being left with a sibling for a few minutes.

Yes of course. Mine are 6 and 8 and ive done that. I dont let them watch tv though.. the house could burn down without them noticing if they were glued to the tv. Our rule is: come to the shop or stay home, but no screen.
they also both have watches they can call me with.

I used to be left alone to babysit my siblings (10, 8 and 2) for an entire day or an evening at 13 or my cousins (2 and 1) and I think I’d be left home alone when my mum went shopping or whatever when I was about 8-10. I remember walking to school alone around 9/10 years old