Under what circumstances + for how long would you be ok with leaving the house while your dc are sleeping?

[thesleepingbeauty]

I have a (rare!) girls night out coming up in October, and I've decided to get the train into town as I'll be having a few drinks.
Dh will be looking after ds, and probably dropping me off at the station, or I'll walk (only 10min).

Coming back is a bit of a problem though, as dh doesn't want me walking home on my own at that time of night (even though I'd have no problem with it, unless it's pissing down with rain!).

Anyway, do you think it's an option for dh to leave ds sleeping and pick me up from the station? Or is that a complete no-no? It would mean he's out of the house for 10mins at the most. I admit I've left ds sleeping while I go down to the utilities room to put a wash on or hang a wash up and been gone longer than that, but somehow that doesn't seem such an issue.

What do you think?

PS Cabs are not really an option as there aren't any cab firms in our village, and the few times I've tried arranging one have ended up with me standing outside the train station on my own waiting and waiting and waiting...I could have walked it in that time!

Complete no no.

Sorry but I would also say a no!

Would a neighbout not come in and sit with your dc's while Dh picks you up?

no.

how about getting someone else to sit at home for the few mins it would take dh to pick you up. A neighbour?

No, what if there was a fire?

What would happen if for any reason there was some sort of accident when he was out of the house. Is he walking or driving anything could happen (probably not in your house) but out at that time.

What if you are both involved in a car accident and unable to tell anyone that DS is at home alone, asleep and no idea his parents aren't there.

There is no chance on earth I would leave my children un-attended like that, especially for a non emergency like a night out. But each to their own.

Big fat NO here too - what if you get hit by a drunk driver on the way home with dh? What if the car breaks down? Far too many consequences to deal with just for a bit of alcohol.

It's a definate no.
Also illegal I would suspect.

I personally wouldn't.

I've left the dc sleeping while I've collected a load from the launderette which is a few doors down and I've been out of the house for about 3 minutes. I always feel really weird about doing it though.

I wouldn't be comfortable doing a 10 minute drive.

Trust your instincts.

I would have to say no as well.

Have a go at arranging a cab again, emphasising the fact that you will be a lone female if they let you down.

Other than that, ask a friend or neighbour to either pick you up or sit with the kids for 10 minutes.

I take it you couldn't get a cab from another stop (albeit further away, maybe more reliable!) or from town?

Might be a sober night out and you'll have to take the car!!

Sorry, but no

how old are the children?

definately not, arrange a big taxi between you and the girls, or if any of you are child free get their dh to pick you up

I once knew a couple that left their year old DD at home asleep in her cot and went next door but one for a meal. They felt it was ok cos they took the baby monitor with them and so could hear if she woke up. I must admit my first thought was what if theres a fire.

a huge big no from here.to do it would be silly and selfish imo.

our now ex babysitter left my children home alone whilst she went to her house to check her dog because she heard fireworks and thought dog would be scared.i dont care how lovely her dog is.my children are more important.

or dont drink or dont go out.

My instinct is saying NOOOO too, but I wondered if it was just me being over-cautious - I see I'm not! lol

No . Can you not share a cab to bring you all the way home or cadge a lift? Or don't drink.

how old are dc?

I know a friend of my regularly left her ds sleeping when he was v. small while she took her dog round the block (old dog, couldn't wait, iyswim). She took her phone-baby-monitor thing with her so she'd hear if he woke up, but she still wouldn't have been able to get back any quicker.

Sorry, should have said my ds is 18months old.

No
no
no
no
no
no

I would also say no. What my dh would probably have done would be to lift sleeping ds into buggy and bring him. Either that or let me walk. A screaming child that's been woken up and is with daddy is preferable either to any risks taken or to a child that wakes up and realises he is alone in the house.

18 months - def no , big no.