what age can i leave my kids alone?

[AMAZINWOMAN]

I can leave my 11 year old (narly 12) alone for half an hour or so-but soon he will be having an inset day. I work and dont have any leave left, cant take sickies-would it be OK to leave him alone until 3pm? My son is Ok about it-but is it allowed?

[southeastastra]

there isn't a lawful age, if you think he is mature enough to be left there should be no problem.

[VioletBaudelaire]

There isn't a legal lower age limit.
I would leave my 11 year old for a few hours, but not for a full day. He's very trustworthy, but I would be worried about unforeseen problems.

[Furball]

Is there a school friends house he could go to?

[Quootiepie]

Guess it depends on him really - I know I was being left quite abit before 11 And was totally fine. Just used to watch telly and read

[unknownrebelbang]

I haven't left my son for an inset day yet, but he was left on his own for differing lengths of time when he was that age.

You know your own child, so you know whether he'll be ok.

Don't know what you do, or how flexible the job is, but work as short a day as you can, and if at all possible, pop home even if only for 10 minutes at lunchtime. Set out your rules and boundaries NOW, so that he knows what the score is and leave him with a list of telephone numbers and neighbours he can contact if he's not happy about something.

And ring him throughout the day - tell him you're going to be ringing him, though, so he'll answer the phone, some children won't answer the phone when you're out. (Either set up a phone-code (two rings, cut off then ring again or something similar) or give him a message to read out to any other callers so that he doesn't make it obvious he's home alone iykwim).

[AMAZINWOMAN]

it is for 6 hours, so not quite the full day. I have thought about him inviting a friend over-my son and his friends are very laid back and not interested in mischief!

it still leaves a problem in holidays though as the childcare stops when is are 12 here. what am i supposed to do then??

[southeastastra]

our local council has alot of 'teen' activities set up for the hols, you could check with your council to see if they do something similar?

i have to leave my ds(13) alot, he doesn't mind and his grandad lives close by.