10 year old letting self in/home alone after school

[FlippityFloppityFlump]

DS10 is in year 6. He is late summer born so turns 11 shortly before he starts high school in September.

We've been leaving him at home lately for up to 45 mins if we need to go to supermarket etc and he doesn't want to come. He plays on his PS4 and knows not to answer door etc We usually call him when out to make sure he's OK.

I need to be in office 1 or 2 days a week. There won't be any childcare provision once his starts high school so on those days he will have to let himself in and stay alone for up to 1 hour 45. (I can make sure it is not as long as that for the first few weeks, more like an hour)

I am also hoping he will do one of the extra curricur activities at school those days so he wouldn't need to be at home alone as long - would be more like 45 minutes. But I can't guarantee he will be able to.

As there will be a lot of change come September I wanted to start getting him used to having to come home and let himself in amd to an empty house.

This spring he already been walking the almost a mile home this year. We've given him a key and he has let himself in after an after school activity today. He was alone for 25 minutes.

He is happy and not at all worried.

Was thinking of trying this for the next few weeks in preparation for high school.

Does this seek ok? Would you do this with your child or should I wait until high school? But I am worried that will be so much change all at once

(my head is spinning thinking about school holidays from September but that's for another thread!)

That sounds like a sensible plan, as long as he is happy with it.

what is the plan if there is an issue?

Phone you - how far away are you - how would you help
Just the one neighbour in
several neighbours in
friend lives next door but one or something and if problem his parents would help etc

Its not nec the being alone home but the what ifs and making sure he is confident to do whats needed

My dd10 is summer born and is doing this, works well for us.

What you are proposing is really what was normal a few decades ago , children need responsibility otherwise how do they become independent young adults.
If you have concerns maybe consider a tracker on his phone, ring door bell , Video monitors in your home?
Just in case he starts to bring friends around. Set your expectations on both sides early on

This wasn’t unusual when I was a child. We always knew there was a neighbour on hand if needed.

My worry would be losing the keys. I used to always lose my keys when I was at school. I'd end up sitting outside the house for absolutely ages. My dad was constantly having to get new keys cut for me. Also even simple things like making sure he closes the door properly behind him once he's in. Not leaving keys in the door.

We have a key safe with a spare key, and our neighbours (retired, almost always home) have the code if DC can’t recall it.
it’s a 10 minute walk home from school which DC will be allowed to do alone from this term as the school don’t allow them to leave without a parent before year 6.
there’s several local friends Dc could go to in an emergency, and he is clear on the no going out, no friends in rule. He’ll be fine.

(we do live in a village where everyone knows everyone, not a city)

Sounds like it’s a good plan! As a parent (now adult child) but also as a children’s social worker I would just make sure that you have a back up plan of what happens if there is an issue! I can remember at this age coming home after school and swallowing a tiny piece of Lego and starting to panic but I knew who to get help from. Life 360 is handy as you can check or be notified he is home/ left school etc Also think about what he is going to eat after school- are you happy for him to warm something up in the microwave/ air fryer or is it only cold snacks. Maybe go through with him what you are happy with. From a work point of view I’ve had a couple of situations with children being at home and being over zealous trying to cook tea and the fire brigade needing to come out.