Opinion on leaving 13 yr old and 9 yr old home alone while working 9-5?

fabforty

milliemonster wrote: »

Everybody here seems to be saying no which is fine as you have asked for opinions, but what no one seems to have considered is whether the op has a choice or not, at the end of the day if the op has no support network and has no choice but to leave their kids then there is no alternative.

Years gone by kids were left alone for hours on end at much younger ages, I'm to saying its right or wrong, but sometimes needs must and there are no alternatives.

I have a 14 year old girl whom I've left alone for a full day (12 hrs) while I've been at work and have no problem doing so, I wouldn't leave her to look after her 10 yr old brother for that length of time, but only because I don't need to, if I had no alternative then I'd just have to get on with it and wed muddle through.

There will always be cases of where children come to harm, but some people just don't have a support network to fall back on

Agreed. I did ask OP if she has other options but she hasn't replied. However as I mentioned in my earlier post, I doubt that any parent would opt for this if they had a real alternative (apart from not working).

FBaby

peachyprice wrote: »

Would you eave your 13yo in charge of your 10yo for the entire 6 weeks?

Do I think they would be safe? Yes, definitely. And my 13yo is not in charge when they are together, my 10yo is as able to look after himself. However, I would feel sorry for them in terms of boredom. It is surprising that a working parent wouldn't allow for at least some time off during that time.

So in answer, I would do it if I had no choice as a last resort, but I do plan the whole period so that they they experience some variety of entertainment.

OrkneyStar

peachyprice wrote: »

It's not like summer holidays have come to a surprise to OP though, she's been sorting out school holiday childcare for the last 9 years.

Not necessarily, while most people are aware of the existence of school holidays OP does not say if she (he?) has been working since they were babies or not, so may not have been arranging what to do with kids during that time. Or perhaps now is the only time she has considered them of age to not need childcare, potentially?

WestonDave

Whether they've been working or not is irrelevant she/he will be well aware that come mid July, schools stop looking after kids for 6-7 hours per day and you as parent get to take over! 6 week summer holidays didn't come in with the last change of government so even if they've just taken on the job, they'd be aware of the impending issue.

bagpussbear

I don't think I would have either.

Their ages, combined with the length of time left, and for a whole 6 weeks is just too much all added up in my opinion.

Unless there is a close neighbour or friend nearby who would be happy to pop in once or twice, just to make sure everything was ok?

OrkneyStar

WestonDave wrote: »

Whether they've been working or not is irrelevant she/he will be well aware that come mid July, schools stop looking after kids for 6-7 hours per day and you as parent get to take over! 6 week summer holidays didn't come in with the last change of government so even if they've just taken on the job, they'd be aware of the impending issue.

In an ideal world we'd all work things out in advance, but perhaps OP has been putting it off/trying not to think about it? Folk do that with all sorts of things, so it's not unreasonable to think this may be the case. Or perhaps something has fallen through? Or perhaps she's had a re-think of her finances (children's clubs can be expensive)? Perhaps someone else suggested it? We don't know really do we? But I think the OP is looking for sensible opinions/ideas, not a 'well you should have thought of this already', even if that is what instantly comes to mind!

Mojisola

Is there a local FE college? Any courses on child care? If so, see if any of the students would like some summer work.

cutestkids

FBaby wrote: »

Here we go again about the rights and wrongs of living children home alone

Mine are 13 and 10. I will be leaving my 13 year old alone from 7:30 to 3:30pm. on some days. My son will be walking to the holiday club for 8:30 and be back by 1pm, so they will be alone together for 2 hours. I think it is a total of 6 days out of the whole holiday.

They've been home alone for a few hours a number of times and I have no concern at all that they will be safe and responsible.

As you have said on some days totaling 6 out of the whole summer break, very different to the OP who is asking about 5 days a week for the entire holidays.

jetplane

OP stay around long enough and more people will come along to say it's fine or they came to no harm or their kids can look after themselves. I looked after my brother from being 13 he was 7 it was once sometimes twice a week for 5 hours max. This was in the 70's we had a couple of scrapes but came to no harm.

That is not the same as being a full time childminder at 13 even temporarily.

balletshoes

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Thanks for the opinions so far, they are all appreciated. I would never consider doing it long term, only the 6 week summer holidays.

I would leave them both a packed lunch, and snacks will be in the house, so no cooking would be involved.

LOL, no, definiteyl no parties or strip poker or hookers
Is there anyone who think it's be OK?

not really to be honest - because its for 6 weeks, and thats a long time. Those are long days as well, and they will be very boring ones for both kids if they are stuck at home with only each other for company.

I'd say it would be okay for a couple of days if you were completely stuck, but not for 6 weeks, I just think its just too long a time frame.