I have 2 kids, a 10 year old and an 8 year old. I leave for work at 1:45 pm and my wife gets home from work at 2:00 pm. Do you think it is ok to leave them home alone for 15 minutes. My wife and I think they are mature enough and should be just fine. My mother thinks this is totally wrong. She thinks i should find a daycare for 15 minutes. What do you think?
2007-05-15 01:32:40 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Do you have a neighbor nearby? If so talk to them and find out if it is ok with them if there is a problem during that 15 minutes that your kids can go to them for help. If its just a short time like that I think at that age, especially if they are as mature as you say then they should be fine. If your mother is so worried about it maybe she should come over to your house and stay with them for that 15 minutes. Around here there isnt a daycare that takes kids that age plus its not like its was for hours Probably they would even be ok for up to an hour. Just explain rules to your kids like no cooking, stay inside, dont open door for strangers that kind of thing and I bet they do fine. Good luck.
2007-05-15 01:53:53 · answer #1 · answered by thumpergirl_1979 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's fine. Just make sure that they know what to do in case of an emergency, not to open the door to strangers, and all of the things that the big crime dog McGruff taught us when we were kids. If you and your wife think that they are mature enough to use good judgement in these instances, I say give it a shot for a few weeks and see how it goes! You might also want to check the laws of your state. Some states prohibit leaving a child at home alone before a certain age. I saw a news story once, where a house caught on fire. No one was injured, but because the mother had left her 11 year old home alone she was charged with child neglect and endangerment to a child. So you do have to be careful........
2007-05-15 01:57:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anne W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would depend on the maturity of the 10 year old. 15 minutes is not alot of time but, anything can happen in 15 minutes. My son has been staying by himself since he was about 10 and it worked out well. I would say give it a try. Tell your mother to stay out of it. She is only concerned but, she is not helping either. It's hard enough without her saying it is wrong. If she insist on putting her 2 cents in ask her to pay for the daycare.
2007-05-15 01:51:32 · answer #3 · answered by SAS 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is there a neighbor that can keep an eye on the house for the 15 minutes before your wife gets home? Do you and your wife have a cell phone so the kids can call if something happened in that time frame or so that you all can call them to check in until wife gets home? If so I think it would be ok. I wouldn't waste my time on daycare for only 15 minutes. Try asking a neighbor to keep a check on things.
2007-05-15 01:38:23 · answer #4 · answered by sapphireblaze 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Only you and your wife can determine the maturity of your children. If you have taught them well, talk to them to understand the importance of behaving, what to do in case of fire, how to answer the phone properly, etc. 15 minutes isn't too long. I would have felt safe leaving my 2 kids at that age.
Your mother could always stay with them for 15 minutes if she feels strongly about them not being alone.
Make sure they have a neighbor or someone close by they can call if something arises and they need something quickly.
2007-05-15 01:38:42 · answer #5 · answered by mimegamy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Can you not ask someone in the neighborhood to keep a eye on them for the 15 min. The ages are old enough to be left alone but do you really want to do than in this year and age. 15 Min is not long but anything can happen, accident inside the house, someone breaking in, or worse kids go missing today if you haven't heard, and what if your wife is stuck in traffic or in a accident what about the kids then. Its a very touchy subject so rather reconsider leaving the kids alone
2007-05-15 01:54:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For one thing, it is illegal in most states to leave children that young alone even for "just 15 minutes". A lot can happen in 15 minutes. We all think that nothing will happen until it happens and then it may be too late.
This is one time that you need to man up and admit that your wife is correct. Your kids well being could depend on it.
2007-05-15 02:27:17 · answer #7 · answered by ronald g 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you and your wife feel they are responsible enough to behave for 15 minutes then do so, just lay down ground rules (no answering the door or the phone unless its your number on caller ID, etc.)
Or you could always talk to your work (or your wifes) and find out if one if you could either leave 15 minutes earlier or later.
2007-05-15 01:51:08 · answer #8 · answered by Terri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every child is different. Some can be trusted to behave while others would take advantage of parents being gone to do what they know they shouldn't. If they are good at following your rules, I don't see a problem since mom gets home in such a short time.
2007-05-15 02:20:02 · answer #9 · answered by Breezey is saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may not be "wrong" but in this day and age I would not leave my children alone for a minute without an adult watching over them. It only takes a minute for someone to take them.
2007-05-15 01:58:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋