5th graders home alone all day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I would be fine with twins this age home alone at this point in the school year. If you’re able to stagger work hours with DH that might be a way to reduce the alone hours. Microwave or sandwiches for lunch every day is fine. Go over their safety plans of where to go/who to call if there is a problem. Talk through the rules: . Answer the door or leave it alone? Go outside and play? Stay in the yard or ok to go for a bike ride? That kind of thing.

Depends on the kids, but this would be my response to a friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on your kid. I was raised by a single mom that had to leave for work every day at 4 am. Starting in second grade I used to get up (alarm but my mom would call to make sure I was out of bed), make my own breakfast (cereal/pop tarts) and walk to school on my own (about 1 mile). It’s mind blowing that i did that all. I was very independent and self sufficient at a young age. I worry about coddling my own kid.

Same! I often wonder if it's the reason I'm overprotective of my own kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on your kid. I was raised by a single mom that had to leave for work every day at 4 am. Starting in second grade I used to get up (alarm but my mom would call to make sure I was out of bed), make my own breakfast (cereal/pop tarts) and walk to school on my own (about 1 mile). It’s mind blowing that i did that all. I was very independent and self sufficient at a young age. I worry about coddling my own kid.

Same! I often wonder if it's the reason I'm overprotective of my own kids.

No, you are not overprotective and they are still young. There is a difference between a 5th grader staying home an hour and 8-10 hours. That poster was neglected.

[Anonymous]

For a day here and there, sure it will be ok. But for days on end? Nah it won’t go well.

[Anonymous]

It could work but I would be worried about emergencies. Is there an elderly neighbor or a work from home neighbor they could go to if they need something (like a fire alarm or carbon monoxide alarm goes off)? A friend has a ring camera that they use to check on their kid when they aren't home. They know if anyone goes in or goes out.

[Anonymous]

It used to be very normal for kids that age to be home alone.

[Anonymous]

I think you can quit and be on unemployment due to childcare. Or maybe some sort of family leave. I think it’s fine to leave them home but I would spin this situation as much as I could honestly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a day here and there, sure it will be ok. But for days on end? Nah it won’t go well.

Agreed!

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine leaves her 16yo and 9yo alone sometimes for a few hours here and there. Well they live in a townhouse and 3 weeks ago when she was out they were playing with a soft ball of some type and threw it in the air and it caught the sprinkler at just the right spot to break it. Water came shooting out of the ceiling into the living room. The kids called her in hysterics, she was 15 mins away and didn’t know where the shut off was. She called fire Dept, they came out but water was flowing a good 10-15 mins. They are all still in a hotel. Main level and basement were a disaster. So I’m not saying don’t leave kids, hers were old enough. But maybe show them the water shut off if it’s a regular thing.

[Anonymous]

I leave my 5th grader and 8th grader home all day. TBH, the 8th grader doesn’t help at all and they ignore each other all day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the suggestions. Where can I find a college age or teen? We live in a small neighborhood and the one teenager I know is not the nicest person, unfortunately!

I’d try posting on nextdoor

I’m not sure I would do this. I wouldn’t want to advertise that my twin 10-year-olds might be home alone. Where approximately do you live, OP?

[Anonymous]

I’d be ok with that especially since they are together.

[Anonymous]

I think its totally fine. I would likely pack a lunch box for each of them so they don't have to figure it out on their own, which some may say is coddling but I would say is making sure they don't eat all the snacks and nothing else. Turn on the Google cameras. Make sure they have alarms set to get back to classes on time after breaks. Besides that it is no big deal and don't let anyone on here make you feel like it is. I would rather mine on their own then have to worry about a teenager in the house with them that I have to then pay on top of that.

[Anonymous]

Totally fine. I do it. But make sure they have phones and can face time you. Stock up on snacks that can be microwaved or eaten without cooking.

You can do this! if it doesnt work, reassess. But try!

[Anonymous]

No!
Horrible idea and not even legal for that time frame.

Hire a HS or college student who can be there at least 90 percent of the time.