General Chat

My son who is 8 1/2 is not well,but i still have to take my daughter to school. Yesterday and today OH was home in the morning so that was ok. One of the mums up the school said i should have left my son on his own, i said i couldn't even though i trust him 100%. What do you think.

8 1/2 NS POORLY - NO WAY sorry have a resident caps lock fairy...

My daughter is 9 and I would'nt leave her on her own. Maybe when she's a bit older.

Hi Julia No i think 8 1/2 too young. I leave my 13 yr old quite often, adn if i'm not going to be too long, i have left her in charge of one of her brothers, never more than one tho. Have left oneof the 10yr olds at home while I walked the others to school, about half hour it takes me... wouldn't take you as long would it?

8 1/2 - Absolutely NOT. I don't even leave my 11 year old on his own. I will leave my 12 year old on her own for about 15 as she is quite seinsible, but I always ask my friend across the road to watch the house while I nip out. If I'm going to be longer than 15 minutes she goes with me. Joy

You need to make a judgment yourself about your child, there aren't any hard and fast rules, but I wouldn't leave a poorly 8-year old alone. I left mine at home alone or together when they were old enough - judging their individual maturity. But I made sure they knew of a neighbour who would be around, how to ring emergency services etc before I did. Of course I also have my mobile phone so they can contact me if necessary. But poorly 8-year-olds need their mums! nell

I've been leaving number 1 at home just recently, only for 20-30 mins, she's 11, but incredibly sensible (puts me to shame most days) lol!

Hello, I agree with you, its way to young to be left alone. Ive got 4 kids, eldest is 12 and youngest is 8. My fella went work last wkend and didnt tell me he used all the milk, so I rung him and he said let eldest girl look after others while you nip, so i did, i wasnt gone 5 mins, but i near enough ran all the way there and back, I was on edge until i got home and found everything ok. But perhaps thats just me being to overprotective. x karen PS I hated her 1st day at high school because she was walking with her friends, i couldnt relax until she got home.

I think it depends on the child. I left my son on his own for short periods (30 mins max) when he was 10, but my daughter is now 11 and I wouldn't leave her. I do think 8 is too young though, particularly if he is unwell. Have you got a friend who could take your daughter to school? Liz

Thank you for your replies Liz My OH was at home was able to take her and my neighbor picked her up. Shelli it would be about half hour for me too. Hope youe feeling better soon. x

My daughter is nearly 9 and I certainly wouldn't leave her home alone, although she does now go playing out with her mates when it's light and I trust her as long as she's not on her own, takes her mobile and comes back at an agreed time. When I was young I had my own door key at 9. My dad and his partner both worked full time so my younger brother and I would go home after school and let ourselves in. Dad would be home about an hour later. We were always fine. That said - you didn't get afterschool clubs like you do these days. Jack x

Karen I am dreading when my 2 go the secondary school

We have had this discussion before on this board. I am sure someone who 'knows' said that theres is no legal age - if a case is reported to social services, each case will be judged on its own merits. I think it is different though when it comes to children babysitting younger children - that may be 16. Liz

I think it is down to the maturity of the individual. But do you let your children play out alone?? I would rather leave them indoors alone than let them go out alone. Much safer. GLoria

Hi Julie, It was bad the 1st day, but by her 1st week i was ok, i told her to promise me to cum home and if she was staying late for after school clubs or something to ring me, which the high school let her ring on the office phone. Once your 1st child has gone its not so bad when the other kids go, x karen

I thought the age for babysitting was 14?

Yes Jack, 14 does ring a bell. Liz

Hello, I think a child of 13 can be left alone, and they can babysit other children in their family, but to babysit anyone elses kids they have to be 14. x karen

Lady Lucan There is no legal age. when my sister was training to be a foster carer she was told there was no legal age, but wouldn't reconmend (sp) that you leave a child under 12 unsupervised.

Out here a 12 yr old can babysit for upto 4 hours and not late at night, I can leave both my nearly 13 yr old and nearly 12 for a few hours if I wanted to (usually only left if I go to the store). But in the UK there is no legal babysitting age, if a child 16 and under babysits and something happens its then the parents fault and they can be taken to court - my bro in law (policeman) told me this after I said I thought 14 was legal, he says no where is it written stating this.. Debs x