How old were you when?

Question

You were first left at home alone by your parents (like after school etc)

I think I was probably 11/12 and used to cook the dinner while mum was at work and take care of my 2 younger brothers.

I ask this because a friend of mine told me a friend of his spent 6 hours in the police station last week for leaving her 12 year old at home while she visited a neighbour, I was stunned!

PLEASE, THIS IS NOT A McCANN Q AND I REALLY DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THEM.

it is worth noting that there is NO legal age for leaving your children alone, please see the NSPCC website for guidelines.

elvis? ah yeah, the new name, thank tim he called it me earlier and I liked it so sugar it is!

Answer 1

when I was 10/11 my mum was ill and in and out of hospital (psychiatric) and my dad still had to go to work. Though at that time my Grandparents lived on another floor of the house so I guess I was not alone as such. When my mother died (suicide) when I was 12 the same arrangement applied with my dad at work but my grandparents still in the house. We moved when I was 14 but even then my grandparents lived in the flat next door. My own children were never left on their own until their mother died when my eldest was 12. But again as with my childhood, the grandparents played a key role in looking after them while I worked until I married again.

I think being left aged 12 in the daytime is ok for a short period. Was there more to this case ?

Answer 2

5

Answer 3

Honestly...? Well, I seem to remember being left home alone when I was about 8/9 years old. The only thing I would say was that my mum was a singer and was always away at weekends. I think it's also worth pointing out that I grew up in NI were it was actually considered acceptable because, due to the paramailitaries being in charge of communities, we didn't suffer the same sorts of crimes that were suffered in England and elsewhere. I actually used to enjoy it. My mum would give me 50p to go and buy some comics and sweets and then leave me to it, making sure I was aware that I shouldn't open the door or let anyone in that I didn't know.

The one thing I do remember was the first time my mum left me and got a babysitter in. I woke up during the niight to find all her friends in the living room and found that very traumatic, and I think that's why my mum decided I was better off looking after myself.

I think it's also worth pointing out that times have changed and you just can't do that any longer, no matter where you are.

And I would like to say I loved my mum very much and I never wanted for anything. Different times...

Answer 4

My mother was a traditional housewife. She never worked and one of us was always sent to run errands for us.

One time when I was fourteen my neighbour went into labour and my mother had to go and sit with her until the doctor arrived (There were a lot of home births in those days - before they were even trendy you know!) and I had to keep an eye on my four younger siblings. That is the only time I can remember being left in the house without either parent.

I was a housewife as well, although I did help out in the local charity shop when the children were at school. I dont think I would have left my children alone in the home, they were all little bulls in china shops!!

Answer 5

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Answer 6

I was 12 when I started baby sitting for my sister. My parents left us alone at that time. Most people back then where about the same. The nosy busy bodies are getting way out of hand in this country and need to be told to shut the hell up. And the police need to spray paint over the words, "protect and serve," because that is no longer true for everyday citizens.

Answer 7

I would be 10 and that was in 1967. I also used to have to look after my brother who was 2 years younger. We had our own keys as we both went to different schools, and the one who got in first used to start peeling spuds for dinner as our mum and step-dad were both at work. I was the only one allowed to light the gas rings and the oven. If dinner wasn't ready by the time the parents got in I could expect a clip at the back of my head. We also had to wash the pots before doing our homework. No nanny state then.

Answer 8

I think I was around 10/11 ish. I know I was in my last year at school, and I was trusted to leave and walk to and from school every day and then let myself in in the afternoon. I was probably alone for maybe 2hrs in total a day. I think the rules were that I behaved, did my homework, and didn't have anyone in at all or else I'd go back to my childminder!! My mum used it as a priveledge rather than anything else.

Answer 9

people freak out over stuff like that. I was 11-12, but my parents went like an hour away. I didn't care. I thought it would toughen me up. I have my own key now, and I get home and let myself in, and my parents don't get home until about 3-330. But I'm fourteenso, there's a big difference. But people do tend to overexaggerate the circumstances to the police.

Answer 10

8 or 9 and had to watch my 6 or 5 yo brother.

by 11 and 12 my parents were leaving me at home for weekends at a time.