Ok to leave daughters overnight?

HC_2

From http://www.newscotlandyard.police.uk/askthemet/480.htm

"At what age can a child be legally left at home alone?

There are no legal guidelines as to what age a child can be left at home alone. Common sense must apply, and the child must be capable of looking after itself. If in doubt then don't leave your child alone. If you contact the Citizens Advice Bureau they may be able to assist."

bestpud

I've just done a google search too and I am satisfied we would not be breaking any laws, or at risk of having our children taken into care.

LittleTinker

princessflea wrote: »

Erm...try 14 years old. Thats the legal age for leaving a child alone and allowed to 'babysit'.

To address the OP, why not try it on a week to week basis? See how everyone is feeling on the day?
alternatively, do your children have any school friends they could stay with whose parents you could ask?

It isnt the legal age because there isnt one.

It is a guideline only.

CarolynH

HC wrote: »

From http://www.newscotlandyard.police.uk/askthemet/480.htm

"At what age can a child be legally left at home alone?

There are no legal guidelines as to what age a child can be left at home alone. Common sense must apply, and the child must be capable of looking after itself. If in doubt then don't leave your child alone. If you contact the Citizens Advice Bureau they may be able to assist."

Hi again bestpud.

Think the only thing your are going to have to watch with this is if they consider that DD6 has been left unsupervised. Clearly DD15 is capapble of looking after herself, but the above doesn't mention looking after anyone else.

Sorry if I sound picky - just want you to be sure you've got everything covered.

bestpud

It's a grey area but this suggests it is ok once dd is 16 and not a definite no no of she wasn't:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article589017.ece

It seems I need to be able to satisfy anyone who asks that I am not putting dd at risk of harm. I am happy that, legally, it is ok.

Edited to add: the NSPCC guidelines suggest not under 13 for daytime babysitters and not under 16 for overnight babysitters. That gives no age for the child being looked after so presumably that would apply even if dd were still a baby.

maryotuam

Taking everything you have said into cnsideration, I would say go for it. A 6 year old is easier to care for than a baby. Your older daughter is virtually an adult. After the first night you will all feel more relaxed.

pboae

I agree with your interpretation bestpud. Once your elder daughter is 16 she is legally old enough to get her own place and start her own family. It would be nonsensical for the law to say she was still too young to babysit.

scottish_lassy

Hi
I can't see any problem of leaving your 16 yr old in charge overnight especially as your DH is so close.

I do think both children should be totally involved in the decision so that no-one feels forced (which could lead to resentment). This also allows open discussion covering all eventualities.

You know your daughter well and alot depends on the area you live in. Maybe I don't have a problem as I live in a very safe area where neighbours could be called on really easily for any help at all.

As long as your daughter knows who she can call and what any emergency procedures are, she will be alot more confident

Soubrette

My daughter is 15 in May and I fully intend to let her stay the odd night on her own at 16 if she is comfortable with the idea. I firmly believe that part of my job as a parent is to produce confident adults who can assess and cope with risk in their lives.

I actually believe that 'never' leaving them on their own is as neglectful as leaving them on their own too young or leaving them scared or ill prepared.

I personally would not put her in charge of her 14 year old sister overnight though, until she felt fully confident with coping with it on her own though.

In my experience bestpud, people who reflect on these decisions and listen to all advice are likely to make the right decision that suits them

Sou

bestpud

scottish lassy - it would be discussed fully with both of them. DD15 would just refuse if she wasn't happy with it anyway!

Soubrette - this may sound odd, but tbh, I'd be much happier leaving her in charge of a 6 yr old sibling than I would a 14 yr old one! I think it's because she knows that, when babysitting, she has to take charge and dd6 accepts that dd15 is in charge. It's more difficult to tell a 14 year old that their 16 year old sister is in charge, I think?

Thank you everyone for your comments - it's been very helpful. We obviously haven't made any decisions yet but I think we need to be very, very sure before we go ahead with the change of job. That is the case whichever way we do it really, as there will be implications for us all either way.

:beer: