At what age would you leave children alone ?

andrealm

kindofagilr wrote: »

So you never nipped to the loo or went to make your bed, or gathered the washing together and put a wash in, or done the dishes or prepared tea while your kids were awake playing?

My son is 9 months old and basically sits on teh sitting room floor happily playing with his toys, the only problems we have encountered is the blinds, he loves the blinds so we have to have the curtains drawn back and tucked up out reach same as blinds and the wire thingys to operate them

As for chocking on something, simple there is nothing in his reach that he can choke on

Yes, but your 9 month old isn't mobile yet. When they are crawling, walking, climbing they are far more likely to come to harm and if you have more than one then they can be jumping on top of each other and hurting each other. I have a 4 and 2 year old and I'll go to the loo or go to put washing on, but I wouldn't want to go for a shower as I wouldn't be able to hear them.

kindofagilr

andrealm wrote: »

Yes, but your 9 month old isn't mobile yet. When they are crawling, walking, climbing they are far more likely to come to harm and if you have more than one then they can be jumping on top of each other and hurting each other. I have a 4 and 2 year old and I'll go to the loo or go to put washing on, but I wouldn't want to go for a shower as I wouldn't be able to hear them.

I beg to differ, he is crawling thank you and has been mobile since he was 5 months old, he rolled anywhere he wanted to go, hence me saying everything he shouldnt have is out of reach

I also didnt mention I would go for a shower!

PasturesNew

kindofagilr wrote: »

the only problems we have encountered is the blinds, he loves the blinds so we have to have the curtains drawn back and tucked up out reach same as blinds and the wire thingys to operate them

Kids have choked/hung on the string part of blinds, which is why modern ones aren't allowed to be a continuous loop - and Ikea recently did a recall on some of theirs as they were continuous.

http://www.google.co.uk/#sclient=psy&hl=en&q=blinds+hung+died&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=de610b7113b09eab

http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_GB/about_ikea/press/product_recalls/index.html

PasturesNew

My friend 30 years ago used to shut her 3 year old in his room, tie the handle to the bannister with a belt - and go out with her mates. He'd also have to get his own breakfast, in a kitchen that the dog had defecated in. He was removed and adopted.

kindofagilr

PasturesNew wrote: »

Kids have choked/hung on the string part of blinds, which is why modern ones aren't allowed to be a continuous loop - and Ikea recently did a recall on some of theirs as they were continuous.

http://www.google.co.uk/#sclient=psy&hl=en&q=blinds+hung+died&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=de610b7113b09eab

http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_GB/about_ikea/press/product_recalls/index.html

Which is exactly why we have them out of reach tucked behind the fireguard in front of the tv!

Spendless

eckythump wrote: »

With us baby one was the terror...........hence why there is no baby two;)

My baby one was the terror. It makes baby two a doddle in comparison.;) They are now 10 and 7 and the older one is still a lot more 'hard work',but is the sensible logic one that I don't worry about when it comes to safety and relying on him to run an errand or trusting him to be alone. Child 2 though not as hard work, is more ermmm 'dippy' shall we say, with her head in the clouds and her concentration in airy fairy land.

Mr.Mulla

What my wife did when she was really exhausted and needs to take a little nap was to let our child ( now 17) watch a video with her in the room. Or to let her play in her playpen with toys that were safe for her. Or she encourages her to take a nap with her.

rachbc

PasturesNew wrote: »

My friend 30 years ago used to shut her 3 year old in his room, tie the handle to the bannister with a belt - and go out with her mates. He'd also have to get his own breakfast, in a kitchen that the dog had defecated in. He was removed and adopted.

Which is neglect and absolutely nothing like leaving you kids to have a shower/ nap

elf06

Wow it really is interesting to read everyones opinions. When I was in school my mum decided to go back to work and dad worked full time. My mum was always there to pick me up from school but started work an hour before dad finished. They left me in the car in the carpark of where mum worked (and could see me) with the doors locked, a biscuit, drink and a magazine. I was a sensible child and knew the 'rules'. I was not to open doors/windows to ANYONE and if there was ANY problem I knew the route to take into the shop and what to do. It never harmed me but saying that I would never do that with a child of mine because times have changed.
As for having a shower etc...............some of us dont have a choice. I am a single mum and have been since DS was born. When he was really little it was easy, when he started moving I took him into the bathroom with me but as soon as he started walking he was left in his room or watching telly while I showered. He is now 4 and we have had no issues but as someone said before it may be due to the fact that we live in a flat and I leave the bathroom door open slightly so car hear everything going on. I dont think I would be comfortable leaving him while I slept though. Once I had a migraine and was lying on the sofa, I think he knew I wasnt well at all and took himself into the kitchen where he played very quietly with some pots and pegs on the floor periodically coming back through to check on me He could only have been 3 at the time (if not younger).
He is a wild child at times but has a sensible head on his shoulders. I wouldnt be comfortable letting him play in our local park alone but I am happy for him to play in the garden alone and if there was ever an emergency (and I mean a major emergency) I believe he would be able to cross the road alone and get help but hopefully the need wont arise.

kindofagilr

I dont understand the shower issue?

I go in the bath when E goes to bed at 6pm therefore dont need to leave him as such