Can I leave my 11 year old alone in airport for an hour?

[Lifoo]

Interested in what the other parents might think about this.

I live in a different country to my kids and regularly fly to Ireland to collect them and then bring them back to UK with me.

On the last trip it was just my 11 year old son travelling and as my plane had been delayed (communicated this with ex) she left my son in the airport by himself, siting that she had to attend a client meeting.

He ended up waiting by himself near security departure gates for an hour.

Thoughts?

Not correct. My niece flies solo at least 3x a year long haul and has done since she was 13. She’s still a minor.
Ryanair will accept solo children from 16 years old.

I think it’s hugely irresponsible. Airports are busy places where many things can go wrong. You and your ex need to work out a better system. Perhaps you should start picking up at her home.

I think it's fine unless the child was upset or has special needs that mean his developmental level is below the average 11 year old.

I flew as an unaccompanied minor at 11 from ORD to ABQ (4-5 hours, multiple times zones but still within country). A kid used to the airport would probably be ok. We didn't have cell phones back then and my extended family at the wrong gate (back when they could go to gates) was super upsetting. That would be a quick fix now!

I wouldn't use an Unaccompanied Minor service due to my experiences as preteen/young teen (although I suspect safeguarding and procedures have improved since then!).

If he wax literally next to/in sight of the car I would have told the Garda they were being ludicrous however old the children were. And an 11 year old is more than old though to be left in a car anyway while you are off doing something. They are plenty old enough to be walking to and from school on their own before that age so they are obviously old enough to be on their own for short periods in a variety of scenarios.

An Airport is a safer environment than most and I wouldn’t think twice about a sensible 11 year old doing this as many pp have said.

It does our children no good, wrapping them in cotton wool and not allowing them to get exposed to small risks, while completely ignoring the risks of not allowing children to develop essential life skills by having the opportunity to navigate situations themselves. They are capable of much more than modern society seems to think.

You can yes.
Is it ideal? Probably not.
But sounds like his mum didn't have much of another option.

It depends completely on the child and how they felt about it. T2 in Dublin Airport is pretty calm, lots of staff around but T1 is very hectic, so that would have a bearing on the decision.

RigIt

yes the Garda was ridiculous but I wouldn’t think much to do with an airport equates to a small risk, they’re places full of anxious flustered people and security risks. I don’t think kids should have to navigate things that a lot of adults would find daunting

I think you need to build some more time into yours and your son’s flight arrangements to accommodate any unexpected delays - cos let’s face it, planes are very often delayed. And it’s not fair on the mum to have to drop work to accommodate the fact you haven’t left enough time for delays.

try getting an earlier flight- you might be waiting a few hours at Dublin airport but that’s better than your 11 year old sitting on his own.

What would you have preferred? Your son waiting at the airport ready for you to pick him up, or for his mother to have taken him home or to her meeting with her?

Fwiw I wouldn't have left my child at the airport. But I wouldn't have sat around waiting for you and missed my client meeting either. You would have had to come collect your son from a location convenient for me, which may have meant having to rearrange your return flight.

Assuming he’s familiar with the airport, sensible, has a phone, keeps parents updated, knows to speak to a member of staff if he needs help, etc. then I think it’s ok. He could get himself a drink and go on his phone till you get there.

11 year olds in ireland are all still in primary school which makes us see them as younger, I think. Whereas some 11 year olds in the UK are in high school and have to be more independent. But they are all 11.

I have an 11 year old and he wouldn’t mind being left. But it's not ideal and I wouldn't have liked leaving him.

100% no!!!

I would say this isn't an age thing, more a personality thing. If the child is generally mature and confident, has no SEN and has access to a phone and some money, this can be ok. But I would be giving them cash to go and sit in a cafe, not hanging out in a random part of the airport.

No, of course not. Clients can wait.

No I don't think it's OK.

I think people are assuming you’re a dad so you’ll be told it’s fine. Reverse situation would get a different response.

How is it different to a shopping centre?

Absolutely no
A safeguarding risk 100 %
a
An 11 child alone in an airport is irresponsible and so unfair

What isn’t ideal is the arrangement in the first place. Why do you live in a separate country? You jetting in and out is far lfrom fun for your child.

An airport is about the safest place anybody can be. No Irish airport is big enough to get lost in anyway.

Had he been through security?
Frankly if they go back and forth I’m not sure why you fly over to collect them. Have them as unaccompanied minors and they will be looked after by staff.

And it. Anything could happen

i would have been fine with this, and I'm sure my son wouldn't have been bothered. It's an hour, it's not a very long time.