Kids

chilli_dog

My wife is thinking of getting a part time job, hopefully at Tesco's as its only around the corner. However the kids could possibly be in the house on there own for an hour or two depending on what time i get home.

Anyone any idea how old kids can be before you can leave them?

Our eldest is nearly 14 and is quite mature, she a girl obviously, and our boy is twelve.

Not sure if there are any rules on this or anything, as i say we are only thinking about it.

Any ideas?

Martin

Eager_Elephant

There is no law regarding the age which you can leave children.

As always 'it depends', some 14yo are very mature but some are immature.

The idea is that it is up to the parents to decide as they are the ones who know their children.

EE

Savvy_Sue

If they haven't ever been left alone until now, you could always do a 'trial run' and see what happens ...

If the 12 yo is happy not to wind his sister up, and unlikely to do anything he shouldn't, and the 14 yo won't throw her weight around just because she can, and they're both happy with the arrangement, then this is certainly an age at which many children do fend for themselves for short periods.

But as Eager Elephant says, you're the ones who know your children ...

Also, it's worth thinking about the 'What ifs ...' - what if one of them wants to go to a friend / have a friend over; what if the lights fuse; what if there's an emergency? Is there a neighbour they can turn to, or will they be dependent on phoning one of you? I don't know how easy it is to contact someone on the shop floor at Tesco in a crisis!

elmer

Hi, I leave my two for an hour after school on a Thurs as I work, and the local childcare broke down.
I think it works well, it gives the kids a bit of independance, and a chance at cooperation( well hopefully), I am always home at 5.00 and if anything dreadful happens I could leave at 3.45.
They need to practice at this " being responsable" thing, and I think this gives them the chance with limits. My two are 11 and 13, it also now gives me the opportunity to pop to the shops without them at other times as they cope with being left for a short time, its all part of growing up.

Good luck with the job

Elmer xx

squashy

You are in effect leaving the older one "in charge" of the younger one so if you do you need to make sure that everyone is clear about what you expect them to do. Personally, I think once they are in secondary school it's ok PROVIDED they are sensible. I have two the same age and while school pickups aren't an issue, we quite often leave them while we take the younger ones to their activities, or pop to the shops etc.

Prudent

I leave my 14 year old because she is sensible and have done so for short periods for a couple of years. It helps if you have some people they can phone/ call in on if they are unsettled or worried.

barjam_2

i leave my 14yr old son on occasions but i never leave my other ones (3 kids between 8-11yrs) i dont think my 14 yr old should have the responsibility (even though he is very responsible) of looking after kids even if they are his siblings being independant and being a babysitter are 2 different things:rolleyes: