DS is almost 14 and Dd is 9

[Blushingm]

Would you ever leave them at home together just for short periods?

I have a work thing and need to leave at 4.45 / 5 ish but DH won't finish work til 5.15 and will be home about 5.30/5.45. He doesn't think they should be left but I'm not sure. At 14 I was babysitting etc for entire evenings. I just wondered what opinions are? Tia

Yes I would leave them if there sensible, it's for an hour max?
Does you Dh work far from home?

Thanks for the reply

No not far at all - about 10 mins but if a job runs over he needs to finish it if a customer is waiting or something

I would definitely do this.

Yep.

At 14 ds1 watched and babysat for DS2 aged 11 and DD aged 4.

Sure. I have a similar age gap, and DS was 'babysitting' DD from when he was about 13. For that length of time I would happily have left DD on her own at age 9 too.

(assuming they are both reasonably responsible children and not likely to burn house down etc, and have been told what to do regarding answering phone/door, what to do in an emergency etc)

45 mins? Of course! My daughter babysits other people's children on a night and she is 14

Thanks - that makes me feel better! Tbh he will probably be on his Xbox and she will be watching TV or colouring...............they normally get on pretty well and neither seem to want to cook or anything!

I think you should spell out to your DS that he must stay home until DH gets in and not, for example, disappear off to a friend's house leaving DD alone. Do you need to lay any ground rules re having friends round? Is it possible that any of your DD's friends may call for her? I am thinking in particular that you might be happy for your DS to babysit for your DD, but not necessarily to leave him in charge of DD plus her friend(s). Also, does your DS have any friends who might call who you wouldn't want in the house without an adult present?

Of course.

Yeah, I'd leave them happily.

Yes I leave my 8 year old DD3 with my 14 year old DD2 regularly.