What age?

[millidonk]

My parents left me to look after my bro and sisters once.. i think i was like 11 so my bro was 9 and my sisters would have been 5. Sisters were in bed and me and my bro were playing house olympics, sliding down the stairs in pillow cases and what have ya,  It got to the couch surfing event, this is where you sit on top of the couch, lean back and try and counter balance it by shifting your body weight (in before impossible at my weight) so you are in essence riding it, queue my brother falling off the back and splitting his head on the radiator. Had to phone the pub, my mum came back and took him to hospital. He had a few stitches but no perma damage.

In short, don't go out! get a babysitter!

[BangBang]

I was babysitting my nephew at 12, he was 3 years old... The area that my sister lived in was called Flushing Meadows, not the greatest area of NYC but the locals all looked out for one another, so it was pretty safe. I would say this depends on the area that you live in and also the maturity of the kids...

Also to add, it was completely different growing up in NYC, all the kids were pretty self sufficient, I walked to school aged 7 and cooked my own meals occasionally aged 10, worked at 13.

As much as I love my nephews here in the UK (11/13) I wouldn't still trust them at home alone never mind looking after there siblings... Guess it's a question based on trust so there's no national statistic that you can go by... 

[Laxie]

Blimey...I lived near there for a bit (Flushing Meadows) back in the early 90's.  Small world. 

Kids in NYC definitely grow up faster than anywhere else.  That's why I got mine out of there before it took hold. 

[Delboy]

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)

buy three sleeping bags and take the kids with you

[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)

buy three sleeping bags and take the kids with you

 

[Waz1892]

No law at under for this it's all down to you as a parent and how you feel about how responsible your kids are.

Recommend is 13yrs old to be left alone.

Handy if neighbour looks out, but my arguement would be if they can "lookout" why not just stay round!

Personally and this subject is very personable I guess but would never leave them until at least 15. Never ever forgive myself if anything happened. Fr example  I think it's not my son responability to look after himself or his sister

[leethefish]

No law at under for this it's all down to you as a parent and how you feel about how responsible your kids are.

Recommend is 13yrs old to be left alone.

Handy if neighbour looks out, but my arguement would be if they can "lookout" why not just stay round!

Personally and this subject is very personable I guess but would never leave them until at least 15. Never ever forgive myself if anything happened. Fr example  I think it's not my son responability to look after himself or his sister

That's a very good point waz