What age can you leave kids alone?

What age can you leave kids alone?

I was having a chat with a friend the other night and we were talking about what age you can leave your kids home alone?

I know a lot of it depends on how mature your kids are, but would you leave your 10-y-o to fend for themselves, even for an hour?

and how does it work for babysitters? I remember being really narked off as a kid when my mum got a babysitter in when I was 12, but my sister was only 2 so it was really for her. Could I have looked after her on my own? Goodness knows.

anyone got any thoughts?

Re: What age can you leave kids alone?

I've never really thought about this but my kids are 10, nearly 7 and 5 so if I needed to leave them I would have to leave them all (NO way) or take them all with me. I'm lucky that my parents live close to us though so leaving them has never been an issue - they prefer going there to staying with us anyway!

I suppose I would leave my 10 year old on her own while I nipped to the shops for a maximum of a couple of hours, but I would probably call her to make sure she was OK! She's very sensible though, so I agree with you there - it does depend on the child.

I'd say 9 or 10 is OK to leave them on their own for a very short while. They need to understand about not answering the door and getting out if there was a fire, which little or less mature children wouldn't be able to cope with.

While we're on the subject - do you remember that woman who was in a news a few weeks ago because she'd left her kids on their own to go on holiday?! How COULD she?

Don't sweat the small stuff. It will make you stinky.

Re: What age can you leave kids alone?

I can never understand how anyone could leave their kids to go on holiday. It's a thought process I could not imagine having for a second. 

I wish I could remember what age I was left alone as a kid, but I can't - although 30 years have gone by and things have changed. I know I used to get the train to school on my own from the age of 7, but things were very different then, weren't they?

You had me at 'hello!'

Re: What age can you leave kids alone?

I couldn't even imagine leaving my kids at home on their own at the age of 10 but mine are only almost 4 and almost 2 so iv'e a long way to go before i even start thinking about that. I can understand why people do it though if it's just for a few hours but not to go on holiday! that's just wrong! But a few hours is ok, at least then you get a bit of piece, although i'd be worryng the whole time i was away! I'm now 22 and a half weeks pregnant with my 3rd and its a boy this time, do you think it's any different with boys, i know a lot of people feel that boys can look after themselvs better than girls but can they really? if you ask me boys are more likely to get into a fight and get hurt. x

Re: What age can you leave kids alone?

Hi Nykita,

It might be a bit sexist but I reckon younger boys are more likely to get into trouble than younger girls! Mind you it depends on their hobbies a bit maybe. If a boy or girl likes computer games or TV or reading they're less likely to cause trouble than a child with loads of energy and a short attention span

No, I can't understand people who leave their kids to go on holiday either. Not just leaving them with family, but really leaving them. How could you enjoy your holiday?

Re: What age can you leave kids alone?

Hi Nykita! Welcome back - not seen you for AGES! And congratulations on the new bump - when are you due?

Don't sweat the small stuff. It will make you stinky.

Re: What age can you leave kids alone?

 My children are all in their twenties now but I can honestly say that when they were growing up I never ever wanted to leave them on their own.  If I was going out they went with me.  I also would never leave them in their pushchair outside a shop.  If the shop had a notice saying "no prams or pushchairs" I would just simply take my custom elsewhere.

Re: What age can you leave kids alone?

 I guess it's only when you have kids do you realise how tough society can make it for you to live a normal life. Good call on taking your custom elsewhere, well done!

PS Nykita are those your children in the photo? They look totally angelic! I'm having a complete cute meltdown right now

Re: What age can you leave kids alone?

hey all, hi Nina! i know i guess for a while there i forgot about good to know lol ive been so busy. I'm due on the 4th July (another july baby lol). Yeah they are my kids in the pic, believe me they look nicer than they are lol, they both like to push their boundaries lol. I could never leave my kids outside a shop either, gone are the days where you could do that and know your kids would be safe, im always looking over my shoulder to make sure my kids will be ok, and in this day and age there are so many peadophiles (think thats how you spell it lol) and they house them in a scheme where there are loads of kids, its just not safe to leave them at home anymore.  I just dont go out anymore really, i havent had a day to myself now for over 2 years, it's hard work but if you have kids i suppose you just have to accept that they are your responsibility, and if you left them, it would be your own fault if something happened, i just couldnt cope if something happend. Like madeline McCann, how could her parents leave the kids in their room while they were over the other side having dinner, i couldnt even do that, and that is a prime example of how easily and quickly something can happen when you take your eye off your kids for a matter of minutes!

 On another note, how have you bee Nina? ive had so much going on its been unreal, in october i crashed the car then 2 weeks later i had another crash, the second time someone hit me as i was pulling out of a blind junction but im still being charged for it, things are hectic at the mo! hope its been a better few months for you. x

Re: What age can you leave kids alone?

Hi Nykita,

You've been busy! I hope you didn't hurt yourself in those car crashes and how awful you're having to stump up the bill, life just isn't fair sometimes!

My mum's birthday is 4th July! Do you know what flavour you're having yet?

Things have been pretty much the same for me, home and work wise. The girls are getting older and I have more time to myself - you should try to make more time for yourself, it will make you appreciate the time you have with your kids more! Is there someone who can watch them a couple of times a week for you while you go and do something completely selfish?

I decided to be more selfish this year and do things that I liked too. I have spent the last few years living for my kids, which I don't regret but I kind of feel it's "my turn" now! I have started going to aerobics again (the fire service started doing free classes - no excuses!) and I go out a couple of times a month without the kids and without my husband too if he doesn't feel like going!

I'm off to Dublin next Friday with my friend, I'm SO excited. I'm taking my youngest who is 5 because it was so cheap to take her and also it will make childcare that much easier. But it's for ME. The last time I went to Dublin was on a hen weekend years ago and we didn't see much of it except the bars, so I'm really looking forward to it!

Don't sweat the small stuff. It will make you stinky.

Re: What age can you leave kids alone?

well this time its a bit of a change of flavour for me lol everything is blue this time although i was expecting to have to get more pink lol. I'm looking forward to having a wee boy, it'll be strange for a while changing nappies and that but it's what we were both hoping for.

 I cant believe that just happened! i just accidently highlighted what id typed and deleted it all! argh!! lol oh well no matter.  I'm due in court next thursday but there is no way i can get there, my husband is in the middle of lambing and has just started calving and there is no1 to cover him and no1 to watch the kids, so hopefully they wont need me!

I hope your trip to Dumblin goes well hun it sounds good and im sure your youngest will love it, only another year till me eldest is 5! my goodness time flies doesnt it lol! before long shel have a boyfriend and getting married if that the way she decides to go lol, gosh i hope so! it would be awkward if she started bringing home other girls, i dont know what i would do! lol

ok im rambling now, anyway i better be off to write my reply to my solicitor lol its all fun fun fun for me at the mo! x

Re: What age can you leave kids alone?

well this time its a bit of a change of flavour for me lol everything is blue this time although i was expecting to have to get more pink lol. I'm looking forward to having a wee boy, it'll be strange for a while changing nappies and that but it's what we were both hoping for.

 I cant believe that just happened! i just accidently highlighted what id typed and deleted it all! argh!! lol oh well no matter.  I'm due in court next thursday but there is no way i can get there, my husband is in the middle of lambing and has just started calving and there is no1 to cover him and no1 to watch the kids, so hopefully they wont need me!

I hope your trip to Dumblin goes well hun it sounds good and im sure your youngest will love it, only another year till me eldest is 5! my goodness time flies doesnt it lol! before long shel have a boyfriend and getting married if that the way she decides to go lol, gosh i hope so! it would be awkward if she started bringing home other girls, i dont know what i would do! lol

ok im rambling now, anyway i better be off to write my reply to my solicitor lol its all fun fun fun for me at the mo! x