What things should I leave them to be sure everything is going to be ok?

Question

I'm a father of 2 girls,ages 10 and 8.Their mother doesn't live with us.I'm going to another state for 2-3 days.They will have to stay at home.Please don't send me answers talking about social services,because they won't find that the kids are alone and despite this,the kids are responsible.I need your help about the things I should leave with the kids.Money to buy food and drinks,my telephone number and instructions - not to leave the house after 8pm and go to bed early,to wash their teeth and be careful with the electricity.They have been alone in the house before but for shorter periods - 7-8 hours(when I'm at work),so they won't be scared or something.So could you tell me what other instructions should I give them?Or something else to leave with them?Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I would take them to walmart or another store and give them each like 10-15$ and tell to buy whatever they think will make them feel safe and not miss you. If they want to buy a bunch of junk food or candy and a few silly toys then let them. It's suppose to fun aye?

I would also let them buy a few flashlights on top of the other money you took them shopping with.

Help them make a tent in the living room!!!

I would tell them NO STOVE what-so-ever, and make sure they run the shower when they are talking to ANYONE so they can say that Daddy's in the shower or something. Make sure they know how imporant it is that they never answer the door for anyone or tell anyone they are there alone. I wouldn't stress about them having to clean either, what fun is that?!!!!!

Answer 2

I understand that you ahve left them before but you need to understand these are your little girls- do you realize what kind of predators are out there?? There are laws about leaving children home alone under a certain age and you cannot be certain that they will not find out.
At the very least you should have two or three family friends come over in the morning and before bed to check on them maybe eat a meal with them- you need to leave emrgency numbers for people in the area should they need someone. Make sure they have decent first aid supplies on hand- (if you are leaving them for long periods of time often, they should be trined in basic first aid)
Are there NO family friends you can leave these girls with?? It does not matter how responsible kids are- they are still kids and this is a huge responsibility to put on them- at 8 and 10 they need adult guidance. You have done well with what they would need for the few days but please , at the very least , get someone to come to the house and check on them.

Answer 3

I know you asked to be spared, so I'll keep it short: please, consider temporarily hired childcare in the future... better yet, for this trip.

Here's why: while I do not doubt that there are some VERY self-sufficient and intelligent children out there in the world (including your own kids), there is no way for you or them to control extenuating circumstances. If something were to happen to one of your children, the other child will live the rest of her life thinking that she failed in her ability to "take care of her sister".... a burden and responsibility no child should have put on their shoulders. If something were to happen to both of your daughters, you will never be able to forgive yourself... nor will their mother.

That having been said, if you simply MUST continue with this course of action: Print out emergency contact info on bright paper and post it on the refrigerator (police, fire department, poison control, your contact number and the number of someone local who can get to them in less than 10 minutes if there's a problem).

Buy all their food for them so that they do not have to go to the store by themselves.

Buy food that can be cooked in the microwave and make a rule that the stove should not be used under any circumstance (especially if it's gas).

Be very clear that, if they DO have to go to the store or are out and about, that they DO NOT tell adult strangers that you are gone.

Be sure that they understand that they should check all the appliances before they leave the house to play.

They should not open the door for anybody, and should simply tell anyone who DOES come to the door that you are 'unavailable'... not gone.

Have a first aid kit in an easily accessible place and be sure both girls know how to use it.

Lastly, have at least one adult that you trust implicitly know what's going on... have them be the person your girls can call if there's trouble or if they're scared... have them be the person that checks on them from time to time... and that YOU can call if you try reaching your girls but they don't answer.

I'd ask again... please don't do this. Find a childcare agency and hire someone. Ask a family member to take them in. Anything. Please don't leave them alone.

Answer 4

Why NOT leaving them alone?Someone above asked if John would leave his daughters alone if they are 15 and 17.Well,my daughter(she is 15) studies in a school in another state and lives alone,she comes back home once a week.I don't thing it's so bad to leave them.Tell me HOW WILL THEY BECOME RESPONSIBLE IF THEY HAVE NOT THE CHANCE TO?This rule is ridiculous.My wife and I have left our daughter for all day many times when she was 7 and there was no problem.She became responsible and now there's no problem for her to live alone.It looks like you all want your kids to become frightened of the real life.How will they survive if they don't learn how to?How will they cope with life?I support John,he is right giving his daughters the chance to handle with life.

Answer 5

Its really a great thing that your trust your children, but do you trust the looney's out there?

Do you have a neighbor that could just check in on the kids?

I understand that you leave them alone often, but 2-3 days is a lot of time without adult supervision.

Would you leave the two girls home alone for 2-3 days when they are 17 & 15???

I don't think you would. you should rethink the leaving the kids home alone thing right away!

Answer 6

basically, if this is what your going to do, at least have someone came and check on them daily, someone you can trust. Do the shopping for them, purchase ready made meals, that can be put in the microwave easy, 5 to 9 minutes to cook. Loads of fruit they like, fruit juices, snacks. I would put snacks in a bag each for each day. Important numbers for emergencies, just in case.Make sure the numbers are in three separate places, where they can be seen and easy to get to. Clothes and such should be ready for the three days, and of course money, I say around $100, or £100 depending on where you live, in small bills like 5 and 10, nothing bigger.Make sure that they telephone you when they are to go to bed, and if they do not then you telephone them and do that often. Good luck

Answer 7

My sister leaves their medical record cards incase of an emergency, the nearest neighbors number and a number for a relative, I'd buy the food and drinks ahead of time. and snacks, tell them their bed times and what time they should get in the shower and how much tv they should watch, set your parental guide thing so they don't end up watching somthing inappropriate. Tell then what time you'll call to check in so they know when to answer the phone , and tell them other wise not to answer the phone. ...... I truely hope they wont be alone, 10 and 8 it still just a little young ( just my opinion )

Answer 8

This is not only illegal, it is irresponsible, physical abandonment, and emotionally abusive. SHAME ON YOU! Two daughters ages 10 and 8 are not emotionally prepared to handle this situation. It could be absolutely detrimental to their well-being, and at the least will cause permanent emotional damage and strongly affect your relationship with them. It is not okay to leave them alone for 2-3 days, and even questionable to leave them alone for 7-8 hours at a time. Most states have laws that children must be 12 years of age to leave them unsupervised. This is because even the most responsible children are unequipped to handle an emergency alone at this age. When faced with a difficult situation they could panic, they could make a mistake, and it could be life-threatening. Children this age can forget instructions, can be tricked into letting a stranger in or telling people they are alone. It is NOT okay to leave them like this. No matter how much they are responsible or mature or enjoy their independence when you are gone for shorter periods of time, they will undoubtedly feel afraid, unprotected, abandoned, and confused. If, god forbid, one of them got sick, they are not capable of driving themselves to a doctor or self-administering medication. If one got hurt, they may be unable to receive emergency medical treatment in time, and whether or not they did, there would clearly be legal consequences for you. There must be someone you could leave them with. Even hiring a teenager to stay with them would be better than leaving them alone. If you refuse to listen to reason, know that you are facing legal ramifications for abandoning them. You should lose custody of those kids for even considering such an unsafe, irresponsible, emotionally damaging idea.

Answer 9

You are crazy to leave them alone for any length of time and even more so if you're going to be in another state. I have granddaughters ages 8 & 10 and they never stay alone for more than a few minutes even though that means my daughter and I juggle work schedules. I hope nothing happens while you are gone.

Answer 10

Unfortunately, they are legally under age to be left alone. If something happens and Children's Services finds out, they will remove your children. Get a neighbour to watch them. Anything can happen to them. Did you think if a fuse goes, a thunderstorm scares them, an accident happens, they become ill. Children come first.