Home alone?

[zest01]

Hi

Just wondered what age people started leaving their children at home alone, just for 30mins to an hour? I have older step kids so no experience of this yet within my friendship group. Sometimes, for example recently when I went to drop DH off for an afternoon out with friends, they ask if they can stay at home rather than have to come in the car. They are 11 and 9......thoughts?

Thanks

I leave my 10 yr old dd at home for an hour at a time. She's perfectly content watching the tv, has a mobile phone and a house phone to use if she's worried and has been drilled what to do in an emergency.

But...... we live in a village where everyone knows everyone. Not sure whether I'd be so happy if we lived in a big city.

Thanks - we live in a town, pretty safe area. My concern is more that they're not here all the time so don't really know the neighbours and so on. Maybe we can work on changing that and building it up in stages - perhaps leaving them for 10 mins or so at first while we nip to the shop and going from there.......

I did with mine at that age, but would possibly have been more careful of stepchildren- just in case Other Parent kicks off.

zest01 possibly also look at it the other way as well - can they run any little errands for you such as running to a local shop/posting letters? This would get them known in the neighbourhood and also get them comfortable in the local geography.

You can also prepare them by discussing 'what if' scenarios.

I was like you a few months ago Zest01 and then read another thread on here along the same lines. My DS's are 13 & 10 and we now leave them for an hour or so maybe once or twice a week max. We (DH and I) walk the dogs in an evening together and tonight are even going to the gym together for the first time. The boys have the phone(s) as someone has said and they actually seem to get along better when we aren't there!!! We also have good neighbours and the boys know the area and always know where we are. DH has even mentioned us going to the local pub (15 mins walk away) for a couple of hours early evening (before bedtime) but I'm still not sure on that one yet :)