I have a big family and so far have been through six ten year olds I could have potentially left watching a six year old. Not one of them would have been up to the task.

It isn’t the ten year old you have to worry about so much as it is the six year old. They will not accept a sibling’s authority no matter how much they promise before hand, nor how much they honestly intend to. It will go out the window at the first sign of friction.

That's too much to put on a 10 year old as a daily routine. Depending on where you live, it could be illegal to leave a 10 year old in charge. If you are very concerned about the cost of after school care, please talk to SACC about any financial assistance available. I hope you can work out a safe and more affordable solution.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did you have children if you couldn't or refuse to care for them?

No, your elder child should not be raising his younger sibling.

This!!!! I loathe parents who do this to their children.

Also, it's dangerous and irresponsible because they are way too young.

+1 OP sounds overwhelmed and out of sorts.

Does he know how to use a fire extinguisher, does he know the Heimlich, what are your rules about using the kitchen during that time? There’s a lot of things that can go wrong that a 10-year-old is not mentally prepared for.

I think it’s too young. If it was a one-off thing it would be okay but not daily.

It really depends on your kids, OP: their maturity, how they get along, what they are up to when left home alone. Also, do you have a neighbor or someone relatively close, in case of an (extremely unlikely) emergency?

I'd also definitely make sure that both kids prefer this arrangement to aftercare, and there is an option to reenroll if they change their mind.

I know my kids, if given the option, would come home and have screen time. But I also know more adventurous kids who cannot be trusted alone. Or kids who don't get along well enough, where I wouldn't trust them not to have a fight and one kid to leave or hurt the other kid.

NO.

Do not put this burden on a 10 year old, and do not put your 6 year old at risk.

My cousin was responsible for her younger brothers from an early age, and deeply resented it. She's now 50 with no kids.

No

Anonymous wrote:Why did you have children if you couldn't or refuse to care for them?

No, your elder child should not be raising his younger sibling.

This!!!! I loathe parents who do this to their children.

Also, it's dangerous and irresponsible because they are way too young.

Do you have a home phone?

Why did you have children if you couldn't or refuse to care for them?

No, your elder child should not be raising his younger sibling.

Does he know first aid/CPR?

If someone could reliably be home by 5 every single day, then maybe, since it would only be for 45 minutes. 1.5 hours is too long.

This is insane. Don’t do it. Also depending on your jurisdiction it may not be legal.

My husband gets home from work at 530-6ish. We were wondering if will be happy with taking care of his 6 year old sister when they get home from school at 420ish..
We are spending about $133 a week on SACC, How to talk to him about it?
Is 10 year old enough to take care of 6 year old for an hour?

The only drawback on them not going to SACC anymore will be on teacher works days. m