What age?

[leethefish]

What age would your kids have to be
Before you would...

1, stay home on their own ?
2, older look after younger ?

I think a Lott depends on how well behaved sensible they are !

Disscuss !

[RED-DOG]

Totally alone, no neighbours to 'keep an eye out'?

[Laxie]

In Ireland, babysitters start working from 11 if they're REALLY sensible and 12 normally.  That's with, as Red mentioned, neighbours nearby in case of an emergency.

If it's an older sibling though, I'd add a year or two on to that because there's always trouble amongst siblings when you don't need it.  The 'power' goes to their head a bit.  

[leethefish]

Totally alone, no neighbours to 'keep an eye out'?

There is a lady across the road that woul keep an eye out

[leethefish]

In Ireland, babysitters start working from 11 if they're REALLY sensible and 12 normally.  That's with, as Red mentioned, neighbours nearby in case of an emergency.

If it's an older sibling though, I'd add a year or two on to that because there's always trouble amongst siblings when you don't need it.  The 'power' goes to their head a bit.  

Wow at 11....I know what you mean with power crazy ...lol

[bobAlike]

Pretty sure it's illegal in this country for anyone under the age of 15 left to look after younger kids. Maybe wrong.

[Laxie]

Pretty sure it's illegal in this country for anyone under the age of 15 left to look after younger kids. Maybe wrong.

It probably is in Ireland too, but if you've not left the village, the local police in the pub aren't going to say anything.

[bobAlike]

Pretty sure it's illegal in this country for anyone under the age of 15 left to look after younger kids. Maybe wrong.

It probably is in Ireland too, but if you've not left the village, the local police in the pub aren't going to say anything.

Like most things, it's only a problem if you get caught or something goes wrong.

[leethefish]

The reason this has come about ...is its a friends birthday and me and mrs fish wanted to go out ...but our usual sitters are all busy.

The conclusion we both come to was  no we won't leave them but wondered what everyone else would do!

For the record we have never left them Before and aint going to yet either

Eldest is 13 jade and very sensible
Chloe 12 getting more sensible !!
And Lewis 8.... let's say he is a young lad who likes having fun!(and so he should at 8 years old)

[Laxie]

Oldest two grand, but the youngest will probably be a right terror with the novelty of it.

[Girgy85]

Think I was babysitting at 14 and ofc I'm a very sensible lad.

Maybe another years time lee and both the girls should be fine looking after the youngun.

[leethefish]

Think I was babysitting at 14 and ofc I'm a very sensible lad.

Maybe another years time lee and both the girls should be fine looking after the youngun.

Yea think your spot on girgy

[Rod Paradise]

The reason this has come about ...is its a friends birthday and me and mrs fish wanted to go out ...but our usual sitters are all busy.

The conclusion we both come to was  no we won't leave them but wondered what everyone else would do!

For the record we have never left them Before and aint going to yet either

Eldest is 13 jade and very sensible
Chloe 12 getting more sensible !!
And Lewis 8.... let's say he is a young lad who likes having fun!(and so he should at 8 years old)

Obv not having had kids I can't speak, but anyway. If they're sensible girls AND there's someone adult nearby you'd trust to be able to get there pronto in case of problems, rewarding their being sensible with some trust wouldn't be the worst thing IMO. Is it them not being able to handle a few hours alone or you & the missus worrying about them that puts you off most?

[Girgy85]

The reason this has come about ...is its a friends birthday and me and mrs fish wanted to go out ...but our usual sitters are all busy.

The conclusion we both come to was  no we won't leave them but wondered what everyone else would do!

For the record we have never left them Before and aint going to yet either

Eldest is 13 jade and very sensible
Chloe 12 getting more sensible !!
And Lewis 8.... let's say he is a young lad who likes having fun!(and so he should at 8 years old)

Obv not having had kids I can't speak, but anyway. If they're sensible girls AND there's someone adult nearby you'd trust to be able to get there pronto in case of problems, rewarding their being sensible with some trust wouldn't be the worst thing IMO. Is it them not being able to handle a few hours alone or you & the missus worrying about them that puts you off most?

All younguns have mobiles these days init

[gatso]

Pretty sure it's illegal in this country for anyone under the age of 15 left to look after younger kids. Maybe wrong.

there's no law concerning this nor how old kids have to be before you can leave them on their own. quite surprising as parents can be prosecuted for leaving them which makes the whole thing a pretty grey area

think the only law is that you're still responsible for any kids under 16 if you leave them with a babysitter who's also under 16