For third grader, I would rather either leave him at home or leave him at school facility (hallway outside classroom, school library etc) and I hand him my phone to kill time.

Anonymous wrote:Is the library even open that late? Many close at 5 pm. Just take him with you. Bring a book. I did this some years when my spouse couldn’t watch the kid(s). Not a big deal.

Yes they close at 8pm.

Anonymous wrote:My public library says no children allowed can be without a supervising adult under the age of 15 which I think is crazy. A 9th grader can’t go to the library? I have neighbors who have their 4th graders bike through traffic to the 7 11 store alone which is way more full of weirdos (plus the danger of traffic) than our library.

That is crazy. 14 year olds are allowed to be hired as camp counselors and swim instructors where I live. If they can be entrusted to watch a group of 3 year olds in the pool, they can sit in a library by themselves.

Former librarian here. Do not leave your child alone in the library! No one is there to watch them or even notice them. It is a building full of strangers of all types and some are unsavory; please believe this. It's also a burden to the staff. Some kids get left with no one to pick them up at closing in the dark! At one library we had to call police at that point.

Leave them home alone or better yet, hire a babysitter. Be safe!

I don’t see the problem with leaving a responsible 9 yr old at a safe library.

Anonymous wrote:Can a third grader be left in the children’s section of the public library to read while parent attends school back to school night 3 blocks away for a hour or so? Safe suburb, never seen any homeless people at the library or in town. Child is used to occupying self. Will librarians or other parents report this to police or something?

Can you do a zoom or phone call with the teacher? I would do that over leaving them in the library or home alone.

Anonymous wrote:Why aren't you considering a babysitter first?

Not everyone has the money for a babysitter. Most parents bring their kids to BTS night if they come. Nobody will care especially if your kid sits and reads during it.

Why aren't you considering a babysitter first?

I mean I would let my child go to the library alone…

I think the difference is being stuck there, especially if something happens that makes him uncomfortable. Also sounds like it’s far from home.

I would get a sitter for peace of mind, or just bring him. No one will kick him out if he’s reading.

Anonymous wrote:The question is really interesting actually. If some asked can my 9 year old ride bike around the neighborhood by himself any normal parent would say yes but some how the library is different that the street.

You don’t understand the difference between an open street and a library with adults responsible for what happens inside?

The question is really interesting actually. If some asked can my 9 year old ride bike around the neighborhood by himself any normal parent would say yes but some how the library is different that the street.

Take your kid to back to school night. Library is not a babysitter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok DCUM is unanimous! I’m glad I asked here.

I think if your child is the sort that will sit quietly in the back and read a book, it’s fine to bring them to Back to School night with you.

+1 they just don't want 20+ kids there, numerous younger sib toddlers, etc. There's often been 1-2 kids at our BTSN classrooms and no one really cares.

Also our aftercare is usually open late and accepts drop-ins for the event. Cheap too.

Is the library even open that late? Many close at 5 pm. Just take him with you. Bring a book. I did this some years when my spouse couldn’t watch the kid(s). Not a big deal.

So you want the librarians to be your free babysitter and pretend it's about independence?.

No.

You pay for sitting.

You bring your kid to the event and they sit with a book

You don't go to the event.