What age is it appropriate to leave children at home if you pop out for a few minutes? Post Reply

[Black and white cat]

Please could someone let me know what is the appropriate age to leave children alone in the house. I had a situation yesterday where I needed to collect a prescription and wanted to quickly pop out to the chemist . The 12 - 16 year olds where all entertaining themselves and I was only gone 20 mins maximum probably not even that long, but one of the parents was quite displeased when I told her what I had done. I would have thought popping out for 20 mins with two sixteen year olds in the house would be more than ok?

[FatTony1960]

My daughter was travelling 40mins each way by train and or bus to school from age 12 to 18, I think she would have survived for 20mins at home on her own, probably the safest place for her to be.

[MVM]

It depends on the kids I think. If they had been 10 or 11 I would have been worried for their safety potentially but at 16 it almost sounds like the parent would be worried about more adult behaviours?

Other than that I really don't think it's out of the ordinary at all to leave a teen at home alone. We have babysitters we know well and trust that age for our kids!!!

[Goldhawk]

How many children weren't yours and what age were they?
 

[muddyboots]

Your question should really have been in two parts - one for your own children which you obviously know inside and out and other people’s children.

If you leave your child with another adult you do a trust exercise and most would expect the other adult to be around if in charge of a child/ren that are not their own or ask first if they are OK with you popping out.

I do think if secondary school age it’s OK, but everyone is different.

For a general guide here is what I think :
- how mature is the child?
- how is the child likely to react in an emergency or unforeseen event ?
- would the child open the door despite being told not to ?
- if more than one, what’s the chance of sibling arguments getting out of hand?
- is there a chance you could be held up whilst out and suddenly be much longer than planned ? If a car journey even if quick you could get stuck in traffic or have a accident etc.

I know some people who’ve left IMO too young children on sofa ( primary age, maybe 7) as “watching iPad /tv and don’t move” which is totally wrong as in the event of an emergency or something unexpected children don’t know how to react if young.
They could play and fall over, or hide under bed if fire etc

It’s all about risk and if you are willing to deal with potential outcome.

One idea is to keep a phone like open so the child can talk to you if needed.