Children left at home alone

mrcow

Quote wrote: »

I'm referring to the OP, not the horror show this thread has morphed into.

lol sorry - I was getting my virtual families mixed up.

In a way though, isn't that worse? A seven year old is much more likely to get something into their head (Like "I can answer the door" etc). My eldest is 8 and he's one of the more sensible children that I know of that age - but I would never leave him alone with the responsibility of looking after the other children. It wouldn't be fair and could be very dangerous.

paddy's_mum

Oh well .. at least now Mr Hippychick can comfort himself with the thought that experienced mothers have got it all wrong and that his point of view is entirely valid.

"It must be okay - look that person on MSE said "your reaction is so kneejerk it's nauseating".

Funny thing though ... the laws of this country say different. Oh well, the legislators and the police got it all wrong too. Odd that, isn't it?

wannabe_sybil

In the time it took me to get to the wheelie bin five yards from the house and back LB had managed to be really creative with a bottle of shampoo.

The shampoo wasn't even in easy reach.

Quote

paddy's_mum wrote: »

Oh well .. at least now Mr Hippychick can comfort himself with the thought that experienced mothers have got it all wrong and that his point of view is entirely valid.

"It must be okay - look that person on MSE said "your reaction is so kneejerk it's nauseating".

Funny thing though ... the laws of this country say different. Oh well, the legislators and the police got it all wrong too. Odd that, isn't it?

I don't imagine Mr Hippychick gives a monkey's what anyone else thinks about his childcare strategies, maybe even what Mrs Hippychick thinks, least of all what you and I think.

My point is that the reaction to hearing one side of the story is what's nauseating.

I wouldn't condone leaving a child to look after another child, per se. But every situation is different. The problem comes when people forget that every situation is different and imagine that everything is black and white.

fernliebee

I'm sorry but in the case of leaving VERY young children in a house, unsupervised, so their dad can get his nicotine fix, I think it is black and white.

Whatever the intricacies of the law state, the fact is that if something happened to them/ or their dad while he was out the law would hold him responsible. He would never forgive himself, and I'm damn sure OP wouldn't be forgiving if her children were harmed, because of his carelesness.

I'm not suggesting children should be under your nose constantly but I do feel small children should be within earshot (at least), so if they go too quiet, or they cry or shout out, you can go to them ASAP.

Quote

fernliebee wrote: »

... the fact is that if something happened to them/ or their dad while he was out the law would hold him responsible. He would never forgive himself, and I'm damn sure OP wouldn't be forgiving if her children were harmed, because of his carelesness.

That's very true, but what has that got to do with you or me?

If this is the thin end of the wedge then something should be said. If it's a one-off (or as good as) then this whole thread could fit into a teacup.

--->

valkirn

Quote wrote: »

That's very true, but what has that got to do with you or me?

The op came on here and asked for advice, so people have given it. This is what it has to do with your statement above.

And after reading a snippet from your blogspot it would seem you are a parent yourself which would in turn want to make me question your parenting abilities if you think leaving young children home alone is ok.

Mme.Hibou

valkirn wrote: »

And after reading a snippet from your blogspot it would seem you are a parent yourself which would in turn want to make me question your parenting abilities if you think leaving young children home alone is ok.

Don't worry, he's always supervised.

valkirn

Lydia82 wrote: »

Don't worry, he's always supervised.

Lol thats good to know x

fernliebee

Quote wrote: »

That's very true, but what has that got to do with you or me?

If this is the thin end of the wedge then something should be said. If it's a one-off (or as good as) then this whole thread could fit into a teacup.

--->

Like Valkirn said, OP asked for our opinions, you gave yours, I gave mine.

The rest of this thread is purely conjecture anyway, as OP has already spoken to the children's father, and IMO, dealt with the situation calmly and effectively. Hopefully that is enough, and he will think twice about doing it again.

If this whole thread is as tedious as you make out, I can't understand your motives for posting.