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Pascha · 01/05/2022 17:42
Yes. My ds1 is home by himself once a week while I take his brother to a club. He knows the agreed boundaries and what to do in an emergency. He has his phone with him. I pick him up and take him to another club before picking up ds2 from his club.
a family members stepdaughter is the same age and she walks home from school, let's herself in to their house and is alone for about 90 minutes every weekday ti l they are home from work. She's reliable and capable and knows her boundaries too.
MzHz · 01/05/2022 17:45
That parent who “wouldn’t dream of it” assuming no SEN or other legitimate reasons, ISNT who you listen t
they’re not helping their kid become a functioning adult.
thays out job, raising adults! Teaching them how to manage/cope/negotiate life.
99% of kids welcome the independence!
HistoricMoment · 01/05/2022 17:45
Yes I would.
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JoeGoldberg · 01/05/2022 17:54
Yes, 11 is the age I decided mine would be ok for an hour or so and they've all been fine with it. Youngest DD turned 11 this year and I've left her a couple of times while I went for a doctors appointment and popped to the supermarket. She has a phone and knows what to do in an emergency.
winesolveseverything · 01/05/2022 17:55
Yes- my son has been coming home and letting himself in since September when he started high school.
It's usually only an hour but I sometimes leave him for a little longer at other times if he doesn't want to accompany me to wherever I'm going.
He has his phone and can call either me or husband, I can see his journey home on my tracker. A few of the neighbours are aware and happy for him to go round in an emergency.
It's been fine, he just chills out with his x box after school. And he's pretty useful for turning on the oven ready for dinner too!
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FairyCakeSprinkles · 01/05/2022 17:55
Yes, I leave my 10 year old whilst I walk the dog or take her brother to an activity. I wouldn't go far but she's very sensible and happy to be left. Lots of children is her class are left on a similar basis.
When she starts high school she will need to let herself in when I'm at work. There is no wraparound etc.
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Aimee1987 · 01/05/2022 17:58
Yeah 10 year DSS is allowed to stay home during the day for around those timeframes. He is a smart kid, knows the neighbours and always has a phone to ring one of us if needed
At 11 surely they will be getting themselves to school if already in secondary so would expect a degree of being able to care for themselves
seasidegirl83 · 01/05/2022 18:01
My 11 year old stays home alone for up to 2 hours. He's very sensible and is happy to do so. He also goes to the park for a few hours in the daytime on a weekend, as do most of his year group at school. He has his phone and follows the rules so I'm happy to allow him some independence.
JoeGoldberg · 01/05/2022 18:11
Also as a single parent it's a decision I had to make because there's no one there to take up the slack. Under 11 I just take them along to the appointment or whatever, but by they're 11 mine have all been sensible enough to be alone for an hour or so.
Mariposista · 01/05/2022 18:12
It’s not about age, rather maturity. If your child is sensible and they will most likely be doing homework/watching tb rather than setting fire to the house, no problem, especially if they have access to a phone and don’t answer the door. Most secondary kids walk home alone anyway!
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serenghetti2011 · 01/05/2022 18:18
my 11 and 12 year old come home from school and sit for an hour until their big brother picks them up from dads, some days my 16 year old is there too. Neighbour is lovely so they can go there if needed. Strict rules about what they can and can’t do and I also go food shopping solo.
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