Opinions please

balletshoes

VitaK wrote: »

Kids may be responsible enough on the surface. But more often than not, they panic and make bad desisions in an emergency.

we may all panic and make bad decisions in an emergency, whether we've been on this earth 8 years, 18 years, 38 or 78 years.

marisco_2

I think it does greatly depend on the child. My boys are 9 and 6 so still too young to be left by themselves. The eldest is calm, level headed and sensible. In a couple of years I would have no reservations about letting him stay home if I needed to pop out quickly for something.

My youngest is a typical 6 year old and I dont even like him being upstairs by himself. He is clumsy and accident prone and a crazy little live wire. Very much hoping some common sense will kick in with him sharpish :cool:

VitaK

I agree that everyone no matter age can make bad desisions under preasure.

A television can catch fire with little or no warning. Would you be confident your 5 year old could handle an eventuality like that. I know, I wouldn't.

lilymay1

VitaK wrote: »

I agree that everyone no matter age can make bad desisions under preasure.

A television can catch fire with little or no warning. Would you be confident your 5 year old could handle an eventuality like that. I know, I wouldn't.

Would an infirm 90 year old?

marisco_2

VitaK wrote: »

I agree that everyone no matter age can make bad desisions under preasure.

A television can catch fire with little or no warning. Would you be confident your 5 year old could handle an eventuality like that. I know, I wouldn't.

Exactly this. We are all capable of mistakes and handling situations badly. However with little life experience or maturity a childs handling of a situation could turn a drama into a crisis very fast. An adult is more likely to know how to react in a way that will resolve a problem quickly and safely. I for one could not live with myself if a child I was responsible for got into a situation that could hurt or terrify them.

Saturnalia

VitaK wrote: »

I agree that everyone no matter age can make bad desisions under preasure.

A television can catch fire with little or no warning. Would you be confident your 5 year old could handle an eventuality like that. I know, I wouldn't.

No-one's suggested leaving a 5 year old!

VitaK

lilymay1 wrote: »

Would an infirm 90 year old?

Would an infirm 20 year old?

VitaK

Saturnalia wrote: »

No-one's suggested leaving a 5 year old!

Fair enough. I misread a post. I just came home from a 17 hour shift so concentration is abit poor.

Would i fare well if my TV caught fire right now. Properly not.

maman

cleggie wrote: »

My kids are 12 and 8 and have been left for 20mins here and there while i pop to the end of the road to go to tescos, for about a year.

Whatever do you find to do in Tesco for that length of time!!:eek::rotfl:and not to mention your poor children!;)

I'd say it mostly coincides with the 'rites of passage' that go with schools. We started allowing a little independence in time to get ready for the move to secondary school, so about 10. This was also the time when a Pelican crossing was installed on our road so DD could go to the shop to buy the odd pint of milk and I'd do the same and leave her at home. Come Year 7, she was walking to school alone so would leave her for an hour or so to go shopping (mobile phones in place for emergencies etc).

We live in a big city and it may be different in quiet areas where children walk to school alone much earlier.

FBaby

I an amazed how old children are before they are left home alone even for a few minutes. I started leaving mine for 10-15 mns when they were 7. My son is now 9 and will stay on his own for an hour or so my 12dd can stay a whole day on her own. They take the train on their own walking 5 by themselves to the station for a 25 mns journey. That seems normal to us as a family. I don't think they are too young in any case they are definitely showing they are more then capable and doing wonders for their confidence.