How old before i can leave my kids on their own?

doddsy

well said Looby!

patchwork_cat

Having read all items on this post I think that what has been highlighted is a need for more help with childcare . It is very difficult being a parent in this day and age and it is a very lucky person who has both sets of parents available to look after children, plus a doting great aunt and a 17 year old A level student niece/ nephew wanting a bit of extra money in the holidays.
However a few options have been expressed - holiday clubs ( more needed with extra hours) nurseries and out of school clubs.

The over 11's mainly seem to be the problem. I wonder if there are lots of A level students out there that would like to earn some extra money in holidays looking after 7 to 13's. If you were hoping to work in any capacity with children in the future it would be a great idea .

They could set up in a group in the local church hall or on a one to one in houses.

You could contact your local 6 th form, college or even university. Advertise for a mothers help.

I think I can see a business oppurtunity for anyone with an entreprenureal (SP!) streak !

Rachie_B

try ringing round the local colleges that do childcare / education courses
maybe the students will be interested in working in the holidays ( some will be "mature" students with their own children as i was )

they will have been police checked and if you get a student beyond their first yr they will have had lots of experience with different ages groups / settings

worth a try as they will have the same holidays from college as the schools have

squiggles

Im not usually away from Old style but ive read this thread with great interest and i think alot of the decisions about leaving children alone isnt about the age of them but how resposible you think they are.I have a freind whos got a 10 year old and i wouldnt leave him alone to pop to the icecream van never mind the shops.Whilst i was leaving my then 10 year old every wednesday for anything from 10 mins to 1 1/2 hours until sons father could collect him.The rules were ,lock door when inside but leave key in door,dont answer the door or house phone,if mam or dad wants you we will ring your mobile and always keep this in your pocket.My son was quite happy playing on his PS or PC until he was picked up.I also made up a packed lunch just incase he was peckish so he wouldnt try to cook something and i was only 5 minutes away (on foot not car) where i worked.I dont think ive done anything bad as a parent but im sure i will be shot down in flames.

TIGs i know how difficult it is to arrange childcare during the holidays,its a nightmare.I was very fortunate during the 6 weeks holidays that surestart ran playschemes which were free from 9 am - 3pm but i was forever stuck during half term, easter and xmas ones.Im sure you will work something out which suits you all,what ever you decide its not the age of the child that counts,(well not totally anyway).Good luck:)

Dora_the_Explorer_5

I've read this thread with interest - lots of different perspectives, and I'd like to throw in another one. Today's 70 year olds left school and started full time work at the age of 14.
Were they more mature, self-reliant and trusted than today's 14 year olds? I'm not sure, but I think expectations were higher then.

loopy_lass

QUOTE TIGS - Thanks for your help everyone

Can i just say i would NEVER put my kids at risk and this is only something i am considering at the moment.My sister only lives 2 minutes away so in case of an emergeny she would be there in minutes, we also have good neighbours who would help if they needed to.Plus if it came down to it i only work 15 minutes away and could come home if necessary.

QUOTE]

mmmm my opinion is I look after my kids, not my sister or my neighbours, nor my friends, ME, i do it. Until they are old enough. Now my daughter is 14 i leave her for 2 hrs every other tuesday between 7 and 9 while i meet a friend for coffee. I can be home within 5 mins max i still ring her after ive been out for the 1st hour.

This is as far as im prepared to go with her at the moment, altough she is very sensible and aware of things, i still think i would sacfifice my freedom etc for her safety. To the point of giving up work, which i did, and i shall return onc shes 16.

just my opinion, but i can do without going out, or working but i couldnt do without my child if anything happened.

loops

Spendless

loopy_lass wrote:

QUOTE TIGS - Thanks for your help everyone

Can i just say i would NEVER put my kids at risk and this is only something i am considering at the moment.My sister only lives 2 minutes away so in case of an emergeny she would be there in minutes, we also have good neighbours who would help if they needed to.Plus if it came down to it i only work 15 minutes away and could come home if necessary.

QUOTE]

mmmm my opinion is I look after my kids, not my sister or my neighbours, nor my friends, ME, i do it. Until they are old enough. Now my daughter is 14 i leave her for 2 hrs every other tuesday between 7 and 9 while i meet a friend for coffee. I can be home within 5 mins max i still ring her after ive been out for the 1st hour.

This is as far as im prepared to go with her at the moment, altough she is very sensible and aware of things, i still think i would sacfifice my freedom etc for her safety. To the point of giving up work, which i did, and i shall return onc shes 16.

just my opinion, but i can do without going out, or working but i couldnt do without my child if anything happened.

loops

It's not always possible though to not work. A single parent on IS gets limited help after a qualifying period towards their mortgage.

Kimberley- did you sort anything out about childcare for your youngest?

black-saturn

My boyfriend has a 16 year old daughter who has NEVER been left on her own. She doesnt go out (not his doing - she doesnt want to) and if we go out she has a babysitter!!!!! She is walked to school and back every day and stays in all evening. I do think he is going a bit overboard with her though.

Kimberley

black-saturn wrote:

My boyfriend has a 16 year old daughter who has NEVER been left on her own. She doesnt go out (not his doing - she doesnt want to) and if we go out she has a babysitter!!!!! She is walked to school and back every day and stays in all evening. I do think he is going a bit overboard with her though.

Thats not going to do her favours in the long run when she needs to stand on her own two feet

Kimberley

Spendless wrote:

Kimberley- did you sort anything out about childcare for your youngest?

Yes, my neighbour said he can go there to play with her boy :beer: