Would you leave a nine year old home alone?

poet123

Following on from another thread I wondered whether it is me who is out of step as I wouldn't leave a nine year old home alone from choice not through necessity.

Interested to see what others think by way of a poll.

globalds

I was left home alone at 9 a few times ..Once the chimney caught fire ..
I had a right panic ..had to call the fire brigade ..then run and get my mum so it looked like someone was in with me.

So I didn't leave my kids when they were young ..Even though I haven't got a coal fire

merlot123

Other please state.

Under no circumstance would I have left my 9 year old home alone. The parent is responsible should everything happen, 9 in my opinion is too young.

merlot123

*max*

No, not unless it was a dire emergency

I doubt anyone would leave a 9 year alone at home through choice. But then, people have different views on what "necessity" consists of.

My mum left me alone on occasions for a couple of hours at that age and I was perfectly fine.
I was home alone from age 11 onwards when mum worked late, maybe a couple of hours too. I came home on the school bus, got myself in, did my homework, watched a bit of telly. No biggy.

Of course it depends on the kid entirely. I wouldn't leave a kid alone who wasn't 1/ happy to be by themselves for a bit and 2/I felt confident they weren't going to do anything stupid or knew what to do in case of emergency.

Frith

No, not unless it was a dire emergency

The only time I leave my 9 year old alone is when I get the paper from the village shop - 25metres away and within view of the house.

Usually he comes with me but a few times I have left him if he says he would rather carry on reading/watching a programme. At the most I would be gone 5 minutes.

peachyprice

There's no straightforward answer to your question.

I would have left one of my twins alone at 9, but not the other, I would have left them together, I would have left my 9yo DD alone with one of her 15yo brothers, but not with the other.

It all depends on the individual child and the reasons would differ from child to child.

No.1 son was sensible and would have just watched TV/played x-box/ comp etc and wouldn't have opened the door, would have known what to do in an emergency etc and would have been able to keep his twin brother calm.

No.2 son wasn't so sensible and would have panicked in an emergency and would have been very distressed

DD wouldn't have wanted to be left alone and would have been upset and lonely.

Every child is different, every parent is different, none are right or wrong.

*max*

No, not unless it was a dire emergency

Also, I should add I knew the neighbours and would have gone to them if there was a problem. There were no mobiles then, so I would imagine it would be even easier nowadays. We did have a few "trial runs" though, just to make sure I was confident enough and so was mum. I was quite happy being on my own, I have to say! I was very independent/sensible very early on. Nothing ever happened, it was fine.

janninew

The choices aren't detailed enough for me to answer. How long are we talking about? I would leave a sensible 9 year for 5 minutes whilst I popped to the corner shop, but I wouldn't leave a 9 year old for 8 hours whilst I was at work. Depends entirely on the child, the length of time you are gone etc.

poet123

No, not unless it was a dire emergency

At least an hour perhaps more, no specific times were given.

marie-20

Yes, from choice

I agree, each child is different.

I have and would leave my 10 yo at home alone for 30 mins to an hour every now again and did when he was 9 as I know that he can cope perfectly well for short periods of time as he just watches TV or plays on his Xbox, he knows my mobile off by heart and copes well in an emergency (my hubby is disabled so it has been the 'norm' in a way for accidents/emergencies happen from small fires to falls down stairs leaving OH unconscious etc)

My daughter though is a different matter entirely. She is prone to worry and would be anxious if we left her even for 5 mins to go to the shop.

In fact in the past couple of weeks, due to the weather, instead of walking down to work he has come home from school and let himself in and rang me to let me know that he is home and stayed by himself for about an hour before we have got home. BTW work is about a 10-15 min walk from school and they both generally walk down together but when he has come home she walks down to work with her friends as they live 2 mins away.

There is no-one at home as my husband and younger child are at work with me every day as he can't be left by himself and I am lucky enough (in a way) to have my own business so he can stay with me and I can look after them both whilst I earn a living.

eezer

This Syrian kid is apparently 8. Puts things into perspective...