Child care for 12 yr old?

[schroeder]

My manager asked me recently if I would be interested in a post that includes a finish time of 7pm. If I did this what could I do with ds(12) after school?
What do other people do?

It isnt a case of babying him - it is a case as seeker points out that dc coming hme need someone to off load to and hat if they have a problem.

I work two days until 5.30 so get in at 5.45 - this means my dd comes home alone, until her big sis gets home around an hour or two later.

As it is only two nights I am not overley concerned, but I wouldn't work until 5.30 every eve, as I think it is important to be at home at school ending time for the off loading and homework etc somtimes.

will the after school club work until 7pm? most close at 6 or before?

You could always have a cleaner/mother's help/ironing lady come to the house after school on that one evening a week - she wouldn't have to actually provide childcare, but she would be an adult presence in the home and could get on with whatever jobs you want her to do while your children do their homework.

That's my point Mollymax there is an afterschool club up until 11 years. Then they are supposed to just be able to fend for themselves.
Dh will be able to pick dd up at 6.

To be honest, I wouldn't - your child may be perfectly sensible and mature - but how many 'incidents' happen to secondary school children?

I think it's reasonable enough to expect children of that age to get themselves to and from school, but I really think that if there is an incident there has to be some adult in charge to be able to deal with it.

Accidents do happen.

"ut how many 'incidents' happen to secondary school children?"

I don't know - how many?

Maybe once he actually gets to high school, there might be an after school activity or a friend he could go home with, if it is only once a week, you could recipricate on another day. You don't live in suffolk do you?

once a week I would do it, i think ds would have loved it

Agree with other posters, that IME the transition to senior school can be very hardwork, and my current Y7 is very needy emotionally, as indeed were 2 of his older sisters.

One night a week would probably be doable, but it would depend on the night, and also his homework load/attitude.

If you can afford it I would suggest recruiting and paying a sixth former as a surrogate 'big brother' or 'sister' with the specific request that they help with homework, chat about stuff or just keep him company.
good luck