What’s the minimum age you would leave your child home alone just to pop to the shops?
I’m a single mum to a wonderfully mature 8 year old the local shop is literally 9 doors down from me, sometimes I realise that I need something and have to drag her down there which ends up costing me more money as she wants sweets etc and sometimes she’s in bed. Would 8 be too young to be home alone for like 10 mins max?
Source
I think she’d be fine…you just tell her to sit on the couch watching tv/device…tell her not to open the door to anyone and also tell her you’re putting your trust in her to be very good and you’ll only be a few minutes…..if it goes to plan then a couple of times later when you go to the shop say to her “you know the drill”…..maybe at weekends you could get her a treat from the shop for being so good/responsible 😁
My oldest wasn’t left on his own until he started secondary school at 11 until I got home at 3:30 as I worked in his old primary school.
I’d not leave my 8 year old home alone for 5 mins let alone 10. And he is a sensible kid who is very safety conscious ( drives me mad sometimes with his safety concerns ) but no way would I leave him. Instead teach them the word No, if you can’t afford it they can’t have it.
I remember in the 90s you’d put your kid to bed in the chalet on holiday and go out, then watch a screen and if your child cried an alert would come up on the screen in the bar saying ‘child crying in chalet 7’. Most of us survived. I personally wouldn’t leave my 9 year old as she’s a little bit feral. You do what you think is best though.
Nine doors down nah that’s fine. My daughter had a phone and I don’t think she moved from what she was doing be thst playing or on computer. Now she’s older I’ll leave her while I go shop maybe 15 mins away.
For me yes 8 is to young xx
8 is far to young in my opinion, even if they are very mature
When you live so close I would say yes. Give her clear instructions for safety. It’s good practice and good for them to learn some independence safely. Take it from a mum of 4 whose eldest is now 30. It’s very healthy for kids to learn life skills and it’s so good for their confidence for them to know we believe in them and think they’re capable and trustworthy, and in turn for them to find out they are capable.
I send my 8 and 11 year old to the shop for me if I need bread or milk 🤷♀️ Our shop is just across the street lol
Mature or not 8 years is far to young, 9 housea down or not