6 year old - ok to leave at home alone for 10 mins?

[thogated]

Name changed for this as worried about being flamed

We live extremely close to my kids school - basically within sight of it My 6 year old was off sick today. I had to pop out to pick up my other child.

I was going to take the 6 year old with me but he asked to stay at home because he was tired and still in his PJs..I thought about it and while I never have left him alone before, it really didn't seem like a big deal.

So I did. Told him not to open the front door - and bolted it so he couldn't (but he could open the back door in the very unlikely event of fire). He was lying in bed reading a book, no risk of him eating/choking.

The school is about 6 doors down from my house, by time time my other one had found his bag etc, it was max 10 mins, possibly less. My 6yo was absolutely fine.

I feel like this was a reasonable decision. What do others think?

I wouldn’t tbh. I know the risks are vanishingly small, but I wouldn’t be comfortable.

Most likely scenario is you get collared by another mum or teacher, but six just seems too young to me. I’d have asked another parent to drop the other child at home.

Personally, I think 6 is too young.
But then I've never had a school run that would only take 10 mins, so I'm probably biased there too.

No

You’re worried about being flamed? You know the answer to your question then don’t you

No just no, if the house is 6 doors away from school or 6 miles away you do not even leave a 6 year old home alone. Please please work out a contingency plan for if you find yourself in this situation again. I'm sure another parent you know must walk past your house if you are that close and could've brought your child home instead. Thank your lucky stars nothing horrible happened and please don't do this again

Absolutely not.

I would’ve done it. DD was extremely mature for her age and she’d have been briefed to stay in bed, not answer door etc.

Jesus. No.

I wouldn't...I would more than happy (and have done several times!) to drop home a child whose parent was in this situation. You only need to ask.

Nope, no, never in a million years.

No, far too young

Far too young.
Just shove his coat over his pyjamas.

Not in a million years. A six year old is nowhere near old enough to know what to do if there’s some kind of emergency.

That’s insane.

Omg never. Never ever

I get why you did, but no.

How old is the child in school? Could they not have walked the 6 doors by themselves ?

I think if you would feel uncomfortable telling people or were worried about being 'found out', that says all you need to know. Too young for me.

Also, if you live so close to school why not ask another parent to just drop your eldest off at your house.

I think I would have dragged him out. I have left my 6 year old watching TV to pop next door to return something to my neighbour and ended up chatting on her doorstep for 5-10 mins. I kept looking to the left to make sure he hadn’t come out/nobody was approaching our front door. But I don’t think I would’ve wanted to be out of sight of the house.

Other parents not an option - it's not a very friendly school so I only have a couple of phone numbers and my other child has additional needs so wouldn't have gone with someone else without my having prepared them in advance.

I didn't plan to do it this time but thinking it through, I struggle to think of what emergency could arise in this space of time.

What, no!?

Very odd imo to think that’s ok.

No I wouldn't have done it. The risks are small sure but they're still there and why would you risk that at that age

In German and Switzerland and probably other places 6 year olds walk to and get the bus to school alone. We don't here about loads of them getting hurt. Why are British children so different?

You deserve flaming and you know it. Never acceptable.