wwyd?

[pls5286]

DF and I have 3 kids between the two of us. DS 14, DS11, and DD who will be 8 in March. During extended school holidays DS14, who is our babysitter when needed has become very active and is gone on some nights. DF works second shift two min from our house and we only have one car. Now that it is cold it takes 10-15 min to get the two youngest up to go get himwhen he gets off around 1230. My aunt lives 50 yards froms us and my parents next to her.

My question is would you leave the two younger kids for mayber 5 min with a relative who knows you are gone next door occasionally while they are sleeping. We already know if one wakes up and comes in our room and can't find us they wake the other and play video games. They did this one night while I was out and df was outside smoking.

we would never leave just one, only both and would only be gone 5 min as df doesn't call until he is off the clock and outside.

 

[kwelch10377]

I would do it. With the aunt next door and you only being gone for 5 minutes I think an 8 and 11 year old will be ok by themselves. I would just make sure they know you are doing this each night, make sure they have your cell and your aunts number handy and give them some guidelines what to do if there was an emergency type situation. With the aunt being so close I don't see it as any different than if you were outside doing yardwork and they were inside playing.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

DF and I have 3 kids between the two of us. DS 14, DS11, and DD who will be 8 in March. During extended school holidays DS14, who is our babysitter when needed has become very active and is gone on some nights. DF works second shift two min from our house and we only have one car. Now that it is cold it takes 10-15 min to get the two youngest up to go get himwhen he gets off around 1230. My aunt lives 50 yards froms us and my parents next to her.

My question is would you leave the two younger kids for mayber 5 min with a relative who knows you are gone next door occasionally while they are sleeping. We already know if one wakes up and comes in our room and can't find us they wake the other and play video games. They did this one night while I was out and df was outside smoking.

we would never leave just one, only both and would only be gone 5 min as df doesn't call until he is off the clock and outside.

Well, I was babysitting at eleven years old so that sounds okay to me. I would let the kids know before they go to sleep though that you will be leaving for a few minutes later that night so they aren't scared if they wake up and you aren't home.

 

[pls5286]

I guess I should have said this is once or twice during school breaks. DS14 is here the rest of the time so it is a non-issue. He usually keeps them but is getting busy with teenager stuff. He is home on all school nights.

 

[aprilgail2]

I would have no problem doing it but would certainly tell them beforehand that I would be gone for a few minutes if they woke up. And if I found them up playing video games the system would be taken away for a month!

 

[Tinijocaro]

I would for sure let them know the night before and also leave a note in a place they'll see it in case they forgot. Also, at 11 years old, I'd be comfortable doing that for longer periods. Just be sure they know what is allowed and what isn't when you are not there to supervise.

 

[DisneyScraps]

I would do it. There is a relative right next door.

Lisa

 

[shortbun]

As long as everyone is clear and the kids agree that they are comfortable.

 

[tlbwriter]

I am paranoid and hypervigilant and even I don't have a problem with this plan, as long as everyone (kids and aunt) knows what's going on.

 

[Donnainnj]

As long as they get along. Another thing you might look into is a baby sitting class for the 11 year old. Around here they are offered at the hospitals.
Donna

 

[PollyannaMom]

Under the conditions you described, as as long as the kids know and are not scared, I think that would be fine.

 

[Kathi OD]

DF and I have 3 kids between the two of us. DS 14, DS11, and DD who will be 8 in March. During extended school holidays DS14, who is our babysitter when needed has become very active and is gone on some nights. DF works second shift two min from our house and we only have one car. Now that it is cold it takes 10-15 min to get the two youngest up to go get himwhen he gets off around 1230. My aunt lives 50 yards froms us and my parents next to her.

My question is would you leave the two younger kids for mayber 5 min with a relative who knows you are gone next door occasionally while they are sleeping. We already know if one wakes up and comes in our room and can't find us they wake the other and play video games. They did this one night while I was out and df was outside smoking.

we would never leave just one, only both and would only be gone 5 min as df doesn't call until he is off the clock and outside.

Yep, I'd do it, but only if the kids and the relatives know what's up.

 

[Hannathy]

It wouldn't even cross my mind to not do it! At their ages. We only had 1 car for quite a bit and I had to take my DH to work at 5:30 and I left my DS 11 asleep at home alone while I took him and we don't have any relatives in this area and I was gone about 40 minutes.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Under those circumstances yes.

I would not here where I live now because there is no one on either side of us and it's just too risky.

Growing up I was alone all night, every night when my mom worked nights and I was much younger. 5 minutes with an adult next door is no big deal.

 

[snowywhite89]

DF and I have 3 kids between the two of us. DS 14, DS11, and DD who will be 8 in March. During extended school holidays DS14, who is our babysitter when needed has become very active and is gone on some nights. DF works second shift two min from our house and we only have one car. Now that it is cold it takes 10-15 min to get the two youngest up to go get himwhen he gets off around 1230. My aunt lives 50 yards froms us and my parents next to her.

My question is would you leave the two younger kids for mayber 5 min with a relative who knows you are gone next door occasionally while they are sleeping. We already know if one wakes up and comes in our room and can't find us they wake the other and play video games. They did this one night while I was out and df was outside smoking.

we would never leave just one, only both and would only be gone 5 min as df doesn't call until he is off the clock and outside.

Where is the 14 year old at 12:30 am?

I would leave the 14, 11 and 8 year old but not just the 11 and 8 year old.

Could your mom or aunt come over when you go to pick him up. Can you just let DBF keep the car and drive himself home. Could you just get a ride from your aunt or mom when you need one?

 

[TeresaBelle]

I think they'd be fine alone for five minutes, but if DF's work is only two minutes away, why can't he walk??

 

[taximomfor4]

Where is the 14 year old at 12:30 am?

I would leave the 14, 11 and 8 year old but not just the 11 and 8 year old.

Can you just let DBF keep the car and drive himself home.

I wondered both of these things as well. It did occur to me that the 14 yr old might be sleeping over a friend's house, but around here, boys don't really do that. ESPECIALLY after about the age of 11.

As for DBF keeping the car, that makes the most sense to me. I had a friend who shared the family car. Her dad was a 2nd-shift worker. She'd pick him up for his lunch break, bring him home (only 10 minute drive), and he'd eat, then take the car to work. At midnight, when he was done working, he'd be able to drive himself home.

 

[KAMLEM]

I don't think that I am typically overprotective at all, but for some reason I'm in the minority here. I would not do it. I would be OK with it if it were during the day and they were awake, but I worry about them sleeping. I have always had a fear of fire so I guess that's what I worry about more than anything.

 

[taximomfor4]

I don't think that I am typically overprotective at all, but for some reason I'm in the minority here. I would not do it. I would be OK with it if it were during the day and they were awake, but I worry about them sleeping. I have always had a fear of fire so I guess that's what I worry about more than anything.

Kind of the same here. My grandma died in a fire.

I think the kids would be fine, but I'd only leave the kids home alone like that if it were the ONLY option. With your DBF's work so very close by, you could probably do the car swap like in my pp. Or he could walk. A five minute (round trip) drive is DEFINITELY an easily walkable distance (or mooch a ride from a coworker distance, since it would be so seldom).

 

[pls5286]

Where is the 14 year old at 12:30 am?

I would leave the 14, 11 and 8 year old but not just the 11 and 8 year old.

Could your mom or aunt come over when you go to pick him up. Can you just let DBF keep the car and drive himself home. Could you just get a ride from your aunt or mom when you need one?

The 14 y/o is involved in scouts where he goes on overnighters, is gone to friends etc. We try to schedule friends on df off days but scouts is not so accomadating. Getting rides is hard because no ones schedules mesh. We seem to pass in the wind too often.