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

Poppy9

Spendless I too would say let him go straight home. Also once he starts senior school he might be staying late for sports or other clubs.

I make sure my DD always has a mobile with her when I leave her at clubs etc. She doesn't take it to school yet but when she starts walking in Sept. she will.

black-saturn

Maybe the option would to be work less hours so that you can be there for your children when they need you?

Spendless

black-saturn wrote:

Maybe the option would to be work less hours so that you can be there for your children when they need you?

in order to qualify for working tax credits you need to work a minimum of 16 hours a week. In my friends case, it means working over 2 days she needs care for an hour after school but in the hols she is only out of the house for a maximum of 2 days. Working the time in school hours would be fine in term-time, but she would not be as home as much in the hols.

jellyhead

it must be difficult in holidays if your job isn't term time only. i worked for a while before i had the baby but it was term time only and on the rare teacher training days i couldn't book as holiday my husband took a holiday day instead, but not all parents are part of a couple and not everyone has family close by.

if it was me i think i'd let the eldest stay at home but send the youngest to the playgroup - aren't i mean lol! can they cook?

elaine373

From the nspcc guidelines..........Most children under thirteen should not be left for more than a short period.
No child under sixteen should be left overnight.

elisebutt65

When I was growing up my dad worked abroad most of the year and mum worked.

There were 4 of us and we just came home - did our chores - lit fire, did the tea, fed chucks and ponies. I was the eldest at 13 and the others were 12,10 & 8. Mum was a nurse and did differnt shifts so it wasn't every day - sometimes she was on earlies and we had to get ourselves up and lock up behind ourselves.

Everything these days seems designed to cushion kids from everything - there surely can't be more loonies around than there usde to be????

I don't leave the 5 yr old at home alone but occasionally leave the 11 yr old at home for an hour or so whilst we nip into town - 10 mins away on foot. He knows how all the locks operate, has his own mobile with numbers all programmed in and knows not to answer the door or phone.

He'll be going to big school in Sept and he wants to come home on his own. The first few weeks we will be going through the routine together with me following him behind to see how he does. He can also pop next door if there are any probs.

jellyhead

elise i read somewhere that the rate of child murder etc. hasn't risen in 30 years, it's just that there's more media coverage nowadays and we're more likely to hear of events that aren't local, children are no less safe now than they used to be when i was a lass.

Horasio

I left my son alone from age 10 when going shopping with hubby in the evening - he really hates shopping, even now aged 18!

His room was right by the front door and we told him what to do in emergencies.

I left him alone in day for longer at aged 14, left him overnight alone from aged 16.

busymumof3

My eldest child is coming up for 11 but I have to say I would not leave him alone at home under any circumstances. He too hates shopping but tough luck he has to come. If he is off school sick, his sister still needs to get to nursery so he has to walk with us too. Sometimes the logistices of one car a family of five and Grandma to pick up or a friend to transport seems impossible but we just have to cope. I would simply just not take the risk of something happening for the sake of 1) Saving money or 2) Inconveniencing yourself or others a little.

Sorry, we are not talking about murders or abduction here, we are talking domestic accidents. How about friends who turn up unannounced or even by design and decide to take advantage. I can unfortunately think of tens of accidents that could happen. When that child is expected to look after a younger sibling it is even worse.

jellyhead

i think i was around 15 before i babysat my siblings, it is a huge responsibility.