leaving children on their own?

meer53

OP, could you not pick up your client and bring her back to your house for your meeting ?

moneysaymoneydo

Or take the kids with you since you say how mature they are surely they could sit and read a magazine in the corner or outside the meeting?. Im sure your client would rather they attended than be at home with no adults!

thunderbird

I wouldn't have left mine at that age - in fact I find leaving 2 together is more of a risk than 1 on their own. However, they are your children and from what you say they are very sensible and trustworthy.

something else I would think about it the location of your house - do you have a lot of kids passing by - bearing in mind they will all be off school, any chance of them coming into the house when they realise your 2 are home alone?

FBaby

moneysaymoneydo wrote: »

FBaby you mean like Portugal? ok to leave kids in an apartment and go out for the night?

no most responsible parents, whatever their nationality, can tell the difference between a 3yo child and a 9 year old one

FBaby

OP, you shouldn't have come here as this was only going to be the response. I kept quiet when I first allowed my 9 year old to get on the bus alone and sometimes stay on his own for up to an hour afterwards because I knew that would be the response.

Yet now that he has done it for many months, without any issues, having had an amazing effect on his confidence and self-esteem, I get parents telling me how lucky I am to have such a responsible child and that they can see that he is much more mature than children his age.

The reality is that if I let it happen, it's because i KNEW that he was capable of it. I would never ever ever consider it just for my convenience if I had had any doubt that he couldn't cope. He had shown me in many other instances that he was able to act maturely in other circumstances. We always assume that as adult, we would systematically cope better than a child. I have seen adults freeze and lose all sense of perspective in an emergency situation when a child was the one able to keep cool and think calmly.

I am definitely not saying that all, not even the average 9 year old is capable of being left on their own for that amount of time, but some children are definitely capable of it, and no one knows better whether it is the case or not than a responsible parent, which OP seems to be.

pigpen

I'd take them with me with a ds, books etc.. and the promise of treats afterwards..

One of mine set the kitchen on fire while I was home I dread to think what they'd do if I wasn't!!

Charlie23

Yes I would if I knew I could trust them. I was left alone for 30 mins to 4 hours from the age of 8. (not a million years ago ;-) ) I don't see any issues so long as you know what they're likely to be doing. they know your number, their dads and 999 so all covered for if they need help. I would just ensure they knew the ground rules and knee they could phone you anytime.
it does make me wonder how we expect children to be resonsible, sensible and know what to do if we don't give them the chance to do things on their own! Way too many cotton wool children around!

DeeDee74

I wouldnt leave my kidd at that age but seems the op cant win if she doesnt go and loses the job shes' l be a scrounger who should do what ever to earn for her family if she leaves them she'l be neglectful! !!
Can you not drop the childrem at the cinema films like over hout an half drop them early enough time to get snacks watch film and maybe get food after??? Plenty of people about aand leaving u less stress??
Good luck x

liney

Can they not go with you and play outside, or watch a DVD on your laptop?

glitter_fairy

liney wrote: »

Can they not go with you and play outside, or watch a DVD on your laptop?

im waiting to hear back if thats ok