feel sick that I have to leave 12 year old alone in holidays and inset day in two weeks.

[AMAZINWOMAN]

There is no childcare here at all. I have checked and double checked with my local council authority and there isn't anything really for my son.

They do offer a few hours here and there eg swimming, climbing wall etc but as my son isn't sporty at all he doesn't want to go.

I work part time (over 3 full days).

I feel OK about leaving him for a few hours, but not a whole day. i think it's too long for him. However, my son isn't bothered. (he'd play online games all day!)

Can't give my job up as I won't get job seekers allowance.-but I feel sick at the thought of leaving him all day.

I'm a widow with no family support. My son likes being at home but doesn't really have friends, so I can't ask their parents. That sounds sad doesn't it, but he's so passionate about life so I'm not worried he hasn't got loads of friends.

Inset day is the week after next.

He will be fine - honestly. In other countries 12 year olds are working, looking after siblings etc. I'm not saying they SHOULD be doing that, just that 12 year olds are very capable, more so than we give them credit for. Just set the ground rules, eg no using the cooking, no answering the door/phone etc. If you need to phone him, suggest that you ring 3 times, hang up and then redial so he knows it's you.

I don't think there's much demand for childcare for the 12+ group.

It's more a case for celebration at the end of childcare costs - huzzah, rejoice!

I think there is no provision because they wouldn't want to go to it if there was. He will be fine-make sure that you have your mobile switched on and that he can reach you if necessary.

Mosschops - not everyone works in environments where you can't take a child in. (I was thinking of someone I knew who took her 16 y o in because he had spent the previous night in trouble and she couldn't take time off so asked to take him in so she could keep tabs on him.Her boss was fine about it. Her job is demanding and she works very long hours and is obviously valued by her boss - but she is obviously not a GP or surgeon). It was meant to be a helpful suggestion to the op and I object to being patronised by your 'nice little jobs' comment.

Thanks, for your replies.

I do feel reassured by your answers and support about leaving my son alone. He is happy about staying alone and can't even see what the problem is. He is very sensible and calm in a crisis anyway, much better than me!!

I can't actually take him into work, as we have just had an email from the big bosses saying it isn't allowed for insurance reasons. He would be bored to tears in my work anyway and be much happier at home.

Even if there was a childminder that takes kids, he would'nt really enjoy being with younger children. He sees himself as a young man now that he's in high school and makes his own way to and from school. The local council provides a few sessions for a few hours a day, so hopefully there will be something he can go to for a few hours.

Well have a great week both of you, you sound like a fab mum

I left my son alone and it went fine. he said it only felt like two hours!

It didn't feel like two hours for me!

Thanks again for all your comments and support

Glad it went well.