Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

Would you pop to the shop when your DC is asleep upstairs?

106 replies

chloemegjess · 02/12/2008 12:35

I wouldn't but after a conversation with some Mums I have started to think I am in the minority.

The shop is a 1 min walk down the road and the DD is child is one year old and asleep in a cot. You need some milk and you know the baby won't wake up for at least an hour or 2. Could be home within 5 mins.

Do you think it is ok to go? I have never done anything like that but it was pointed out to me this morning that it isn't much different to chatting outside with the lady across the road for 5 mins or going out in the garden etc.

What do you think?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
OrmIrian · 02/12/2008 14:20

2 mins, then wait a few mins for the class to finish and get DS#1#s shoes and coat on and then 2 mins back. In freezing temps in November? Why?

XmasFairyGrrrl · 02/12/2008 14:21

that's not patronising- it is different when they are old enough to understand where you have gone, how long you'll be etc. A very short trip leaving a 5yr old is different i think, and your call.

XmasFairyGrrrl · 02/12/2008 14:21

By chloemegjess on Tue 02-Dec-08 14:19:49
Not sure where the tea came into it.

The scenario was about getting milk, was it not?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting
Original poster
chloemegjess · 02/12/2008 14:22

Oh and saying you would be annoyed if a CM did it is a whole different story. Of course a CM should never do it, but that is different to your own child IMO

OP posts:
OrmIrian · 02/12/2008 14:23

Yes it is fairygirl but my DS#1 was 1.

And to add to the difficulties they were all bathed and in their pyjamas.

XmasFairyGrrrl · 02/12/2008 14:27

Ormirian- my parents used to leave me babysit my new brother when i was 9yrs old (for alot longer than 5mins!) This sounds shocking to some i know, but i was a very mature 9yr old. With older kids there is more of a judgegment call there- eg, would they know what to do in an emergency? Do they understand where i've gone etc.

thenewme · 02/12/2008 14:28

No.

BexieID · 02/12/2008 14:35

I have done it once to get some parcel tape . We live above a Co-Op with a Post Office at the back! I wouldn't do it again unless I let my neighbour know. I would feel really guilty if anything happened, although you could easily injure yourself in the home (remembering my fall down some stairs 2 years ago, although I was fine, it was quite a scary thought of 8 month Tom on his own). He has locked me out recently, that was scary!

thenewme · 02/12/2008 14:36

BexieID - do you want the booster?

OrmIrian · 02/12/2008 15:04

It is indeed a judgement call fairygirl. And we all tend to favour different levels of risk.

Seuss · 02/12/2008 16:20

We has a water meter fitted a couple of years ago and the men wanted me to move my car off the driveway onto the road. My DCs were quite happy watching telly so I popped out to move the car and left them inside - I was never more than 3metres from the front door. When I went to go back in I realised there was a key in the lock on the other side and couldn't get in - the fire-brigade were on their way when I finally managed to get my eldest who has special needs to open the door. I know it's not quite the same but this is why I would never risk it.

lizandlulu · 02/12/2008 16:36

no i wouldnt. i would never forgive myself if anything was to happen. i know it is a tiny risk, but i wouldnt want to take the chance

OneBoyOneGirlWithBellsOn · 02/12/2008 16:39

No. Never.

cory · 02/12/2008 17:32

Nope. I am quite liberal when it comes to leaving wide-awake older children (say 7yos) at home, but they need to be old enough to be able to get out in an emergency/call emergency numbers and even they do need to be wide awake so they can be briefed and don't wake up frightened.

Swedes · 02/12/2008 17:39

I would. Being disapproved of prevents me rather than any safety issues. I regularly garden while my little people are asleep.

MrsSanta · 02/12/2008 17:47

What is worng with you all, leave your dc's alone(for the ones who do and think nothing of it).
One word. You should be reported.

MrsSanta · 02/12/2008 17:48

and neglect.

Swedes · 02/12/2008 17:49

MrsSanta - I hope you don't go to sleep at night. What would happen if something happened?

MrsSanta · 02/12/2008 17:59

Sweedes, I do go to sleep very well thanks, But it is not normal to leave yur kids alone whilst you go out end of.
Running to the bin or in the garden to get washing in yes ok but not to be off the shops or running.

kama · 02/12/2008 18:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Watchtheworldcomealivetonight · 02/12/2008 18:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HappyMummyOfOne · 02/12/2008 18:47

No, DS is nearly 6 and would never leave him in the house alone now or when he was a baby.

cory · 02/12/2008 18:55

OrmIrian is right though in that the heart attack scenario is a complete red herring. If I had a heart attack at home, how much protection would my dcs derive from my dead body? Or are heart attacks things that can only happen out of doors?

(Much more likely that someone would spot me and get me to hospital/check up on my family if it happened in the street?)

Still would never go out and leave anyone (not even my 12yo) asleep without telling them I'm going. I think that is very unkind.

joyfuleyes · 02/12/2008 19:14

No, for me it isn't a safety issue (like cory I'm pretty liberal, my 8yo has more freedom than many of her friends), but the fact that they could well wake up while I was gone & be scared (I've never left them to cry, if I didn't come immediately they would be scared).

OrmIrian · 03/12/2008 09:39

"go out and leave anyone (not even my 12yo) asleep without telling them I'm going"

Agreed. Waking up to an empty house would be worrying for a child old enough to understand.