leaving children on their own?

FBaby

By the way, suddenly remembered, I was reading a famous five book a few months back to my son, and it started with the mum giving the kids a pack lunch because they were going to spend the entire day exploring the surrounding without coming home until later in the evening.... All the things that could have happened, falling off rocks, getting eaten by a whale, a !!!!!phile lurking around waiting to jump on them. How dare Enyd Blyton suggesting such a dangerous thing, and being a role model at that

Shepherd1

FBaby wrote: »

That would be me:D and you comment makes no sense to me! As zaggle says, many things could happen whilst under my care. Some parents do seem to think they have super powers protecting their children against all harm.... nothing more than wishful thinking. I don't live my life on what ifs that only have one chance in a million to happen. I am often home on my own...I could fall and knocked myself out. What would happen them?

As I've said before, I allowed my boy to come home on the bus because I had assessed that he was capable or it AND it was something he wanted to do. His teacher knew and supported it, as did his previous childcare provider. So do the neighbours, grand parents etc... Many people who could have called social services if they had a hint of concern.

To say that we are just lucky that he has remained safe is no different to say that you've been lucky that you haven't been killed in a car accident yet. I strongly believe that I have assessed the risk appropriately and that the benefit to my son's self-esteem significantly overtake the extremely small added risk of him coming home on the bus rather than with me in the car.

I have no super powers to protect my child but I do provide support physical and emotional, but you probably think a 9 year old needs no more emotional support than an adult.

Yes accidents happen no matter who is there and parents can't prevent them but they can help their child if they are with them.

jellyhead

FBaby wrote: »

By the way, suddenly remembered, I was reading a famous five book a few months back to my son, and it started with the mum giving the kids a pack lunch because they were going to spend the entire day exploring the surrounding without coming home until later in the evening.... All the things that could have happened, falling off rocks, getting eaten by a whale, a !!!!!phile lurking around waiting to jump on them. How dare Enyd Blyton suggesting such a dangerous thing, and being a role model at that

When I was 7 I felt a bit sorry for the Famous Five for being at boarding school (I wouldn't have wanted to go, not at that age), but it never crossed my mind to feel sorry for them being allowed out on adventures :rotfl:

Shepherd1

FBaby wrote: »

By the way, suddenly remembered, I was reading a famous five book a few months back to my son, and it started with the mum giving the kids a pack lunch because they were going to spend the entire day exploring the surrounding without coming home until later in the evening.... All the things that could have happened, falling off rocks, getting eaten by a whale, a !!!!!phile lurking around waiting to jump on them. How dare Enyd Blyton suggesting such a dangerous thing, and being a role model at that

This would be a group of children so if one of them had an accident someone could go for help and maybe another child could comfort them till help arrives.

My point is no one can prevent accidents but letting a 9 year old cope alone with what could quite easily be a serious accident is not responsible.

poet123

We are all different, but I see self esteem as being supported and nurtured by allowing age appropriate activities. I look at it this way: if something went wrong their self esteem could/would take a knock, and that knock would be due to an issue that was beyond their control not because they were not capable.

FBaby

Shepherd1 wrote: »

I have no super powers to protect my child but I do provide support physical and emotional, but you probably think a 9 year old needs no more emotional support than an adult.

That's a big jump from letting a 9yo on the buys to concluding that same child gets no emotional and physical support, but that's your prerogative to believe. Can I add his teacher said he was a very happy and balanced child? No probably won't change your mind

Yes accidents happen no matter who is there and parents can't prevent them but they can help their child if they are with them.

Unless they both get knock out at the same time

Shepherd1

FBaby wrote: »

That's a big jump from letting a 9yo on the buys to concluding that same child gets no emotional and physical support, but that's your prerogative to believe. Can I add his teacher said he was a very happy and balanced child? No probably won't change your mind



Unless they both get knock out at the same time

On the bus there are other people who would be able to help and support him, who is going to provide that support if something happens in the hour he is at home alone.

Shepherd1

FBaby wrote: »

By the way, suddenly remembered, I was reading a famous five book a few months back to my son, and it started with the mum giving the kids a pack lunch because they were going to spend the entire day exploring the surrounding without coming home until later in the evening.... All the things that could have happened, falling off rocks, getting eaten by a whale, a !!!!!phile lurking around waiting to jump on them. How dare Enyd Blyton suggesting such a dangerous thing, and being a role model at that

If you wish to go back to days of Enid Blyton where the days were always sunny and every thing was jolly good in the world then great.

In the day of Enid Blyton we wouldn't need childcare because we wouldn't be at work we would be baking cakes.

Bluemeanie_2

nzmegs wrote: »

Sorry, 9 & 10 is far too young to be left alone in the house. My son is nearly 14 and I still only leave him for an hour or two at the most and never in charge of our younger daughter who is 11.

I think you need to rethink your priorities. your kids should come before work - sorry.

14 and you won't leave him alone for more than an hour or two! That's when some young men are incapable of being independent and complete wet saps!

Spendless

poet123 wrote: »

Each to their own, but at nine I wouldn't have left that decision to him. I would just have told him we had to nip out.

He was 9 3/4. 3 months off his 10th birthday and 18 months off leaving Primary school since HE didn't want to come, HE pointed out he wasn't 2 years old and HE made the comparison to his older cousin who clearly wasn't capable of being left in charge of a microwave aged 18. I am quite happy that he was mature enough to be left for the length of time he was..

poet123 wrote: »

Mine were never left till they were very early teens.

Pretty much impossible to do that here if you wish to work. 95% of childcare stops at age 12/end of yr 6. The small amount that continues is not compatable with f-time working hours. You're pretty much stuck unless you have a term-time job, part-time hours or famiy/friends able to help out.