At what age would you leave children alone ?

flutterby_lil

Wow my son is 2 (just) and I have a shower while he plays in his bedroom. I close the safety gate at the top of the stairs and he happily plays. Don't get me wrong, he throws all his toys all over the bedroom put that is part of it. I looked after my next door neighbours little girl overnight who is 4, and took a shower - in those 10 minutes while they were in my little man's bedroom, they emptied out 800 balls for a ball pit!!!! It kept them busy and quiet - think they like the idea of being "alone" for 10 minutes.

As for the OP - i wouldn't go to bed and have a sleep, liek others have said, have a kip on the settee.

one_hot_minute

pinknfluffy0 wrote: »

Does he have to cross a road? My son will be 8 soon and I was wondering about letting him do that.

He has to cross one little quiet estate road and one pelican crossing. We completely hammer road safety into the boys, but I suppose its down to their individual personalities too, so you'll know yourself deep down if he's ready. For example, my 8 year old has been great at crossing roads for years, but his little brother is 6 and his head is full of nonsense. I don't see me trusting him to get to the shops alone at 18 never mind a few years! :rotfl:

Don't get me wrong, my heart was in my mouth the first time he went completely alone, but we'd done a few dummy runs; he'd gone with me a few times sussing things out, then let him go with his 12 year old big cousin who pretty much let him take the lead and reported back to me on how he was at the roads etc. Then, I'm mortified to admit, we told him he could go alone and my husband "tailed" him to make sure he was ok!

daniel_owen_uk

Our 4 & 6 Year Old children would probably be ok if the missus was to sleep (works mainly nights) for a few hours, probably raid the fridge and spill drinks everywhere, but I think they would be safe enough.

That said we wouldn't dream of doing it.

Showers and activities where, should the worst happen, you can respond instantly then yes, no problem, but sleeping in another room could have serious consequences.

Alikay

pinknfluffy0 wrote: »

I would never shower if I had the rule. Im lucky my kids are really good, have been doing it since they were about 4 and 5, I just listen out for them.

Maybe your hearing and layout of house means that works for you, but I don't hear the phone ring when I'm in the shower so I certainly wouldn't hear what a child was doing! I do have to be hyper-vigilant as a foster carer and would never take chances with someone else's children.

clairehi

Well my kids get up in the morning on weekends while I am still asleep, go downstairs and have a bowl of cereal and watch tv. they are 8 and 10 and have been doing that since the younger was 5 I would think. he wakes up at some unholy hour like 6am, even on a weekend. I also will nap sometimes for up to 30 mins - as I am pg with no. 3

I leave them in the house for up to 15-20 mins or so while I pop to a neighbours. they have my mobile number and are drilled on not answering the phone etc.

never had any disasters but I will go home tonight and make sure any lighters/matches are well hidden, having seen the pix.

when the baby arrives I will of course not be able to do any of the above so making the most of the freedom!

ps there is of course no legal age for leaving children alone in England, I think the NSPCC website has guidelines.

shellsuit

pinknfluffy0 wrote: »

You couldn't be in another room till they were 8? were they really naughty or something?

I meant in another room where I couldn't see AND hear them. If I could see them, fine, and if I could hear them, fine, but if I couldn't do either, then I'd worry.

No, they weren't naughty, but 2 little kids can get upto allsorts (not that they did) and have accidents and I would never have been able to forgive myself if that happened.

And I did say 'I think', so they may have been younger.

pinknfluffy0

Since my 2 have been about 3 and 4 they get up and make their own breakfast on the weekends while we are still in bed. They wake me up before they go so i can keep an ear out for them.

balletshoes

pinknfluffy0 wrote: »

Does he have to cross a road? My son will be 8 soon and I was wondering about letting him do that.

My DD also goes to the shop round the corner on her own, has done since she was 8 (its also at that age that they can come and go to school unattended at her primary school). I walked with her 3 or 4 times, there and back (school and shops) and let her lead ie watch how she crosses the road (there are 2 she has to cross on both journeys, which are in opposite directions from our house). Only when I was happy with how she did this, did I let her walk on her own. When she goes to the shop with her friends etc, I always tell her theres to be no mucking about, and straight there and back. Same with the school walk.

OP with a 5 and 6 year old, I also wouldn't be able to sleep in a separate room to them - but I would pop on a dvd for them and have a nap on the sofa, with them in the same room.

one_hot_minute

shellsuit wrote: »

but 2 little kids can get upto allsorts

A workmate was telling me that her twins managed to escape from their baby gate on their bedroom the other morning. Realising they had the run of the house, they put on their wellies, brushed their teeth and filled in her diary with scribbles.

I thought that was very sweet! Obviously two good kids...

brians_daughter

With DS1 I could leave him 'alone' whilst i showered from him being 2 or 3. He was, and is a very sensible young man.

DS2 has the devilment of 100 children and at 4 i still cant leave him alone in a room! The innocent settee arm becomes a launch pad and the lovely ornate light fitting i have becomes his target... couple this with solid wood floors and my '2 mins to wash up' turned into 7 hours in A&E whilst he was being stitched up! I have many more stories i could, but wont share about him! He is far more 'inqusitive and adventurous' than DS1.. upto the age of 3 i had to take him the loo with me for fear of what he would climb/attack!!

DS3 is 21 months and he will happily sit and play in the garden/dining room whilst I am washing up and can keep an eye on him!

What i am saying is they are all different and whilst i would happily leave ds1 (who is 12) and ds3 alone for 10 mins whilst i shower etc i cant leave ds2 with ds1 as hes simply too much for him to cope with. It does depend on teh child and what they can/cant be left to do.

Personally i have never napped whilst any of my children have been mobile..ie 6 months plus when they can roll over as no matter how child proof/friendly you make your home there is always something that they can casue injury to themselves with.