My 8yr old son has the stomach virus today and is at home resting. I have got to mail my mortgage payment today but don't want to get him out. The post office is literally w/in walking distance.
Do you think it would be ok if he stays home while I drive up (not even get out of my car), throw the pmnt in the mailbox and then immediately come right back home? The whole trip would probably take me 5 minutes.
I have never ever left him home alone before...ever. What would you do?
Thanks ladies! I went ahead and left him here. I clocked the entire trip and it was literally 3 minutes. I had him here laying on the couch bundled up with blankets and when I got back he hadn't moved an inch. Thanks to all...I just don't know what is a good age to start leaving your kids and how long of a time period. Under the circumstances, I felt this would be ok.
P.S. I don't have my own mailbox. My neighborhood has one of those community mailboxes. Yes, I could have left the mail in that, but, I needed to make sure it went out TODAY since it was our mortgage payment and it needs to be there by tomorrow.
Well, only YOU know whether he'll be ok or not. But eventually you WILL be able to start leaving him home, and this is a perfect example of how to start!
:)
Only you can decide if you think it is best -
If you decide to do this, make sure he knows you are leaving. Place the phone next to him and go over the rules - Do not open the door, no cooking (I know only 5 mins gone! but better to say no incase he gets any bright ideas), call 911 if emergency, etc....
Yes - just go and come back. And drive slow - no wrecks!
Dawn
I take non-interuptable 'me' showers longer than 5 minutes! I'm glad it went okay. Now you know, and can start slowly but surely extending the times and teaching him what is expected of him when he is home alone. 5 min here, 10 minutes there, ect...
Good for you, Momma, for letting your boy stay alone for a few minutes!
I started with my boys when they were 7 and 9...just a few minutes at a time. 15-20 to take a walk or run and get milk or gas.
The rules:
1. Stay inside.
2. Open the door for NO ONE.
3. No cooking.
I gave them extensive training on the use of the phone, what to do in case of emergency (get out, go to a neighbor's, call 911, then call me).
Eventually, we all have to teach our kids how to live in the world without us. This is how it begins. Congrats, momma, you should be proud!
Yes. Just make sure HE's okay and knows not to open the door, etc.
We left SD home for short durations (under an hour) when she was 8.
My kids have been walking to & from school since they were 7 & 9 years old & staying home for 2 hours in the afternoon before I get home from work. He'll be fine.
At 8, you can leave them at home alone for 5 minutes while you throw something in the mailbox.
In that amount of time yes I would.
Bundle him up like a polar explorer and take him with you. It only takes a minute to burn the house down, and you're giving him five. Too risky.
J.:
i would. At 8 years old - he knows what do to.
I have left my boys 9 & 11 home alone while I went to the store! GASP!! They know my cell number, where I am going and the rule is NO ONE IN OR OUT.
NO.. when your postal worker comes, can you not give it to him/her?
I would have went too....at 8 years old he's old enough to stay home for 3 minutes.
Can you put it in your mailbox with the red flag up?
I think you are fine to do so if he is laying down and/or sleeping. Be sure there is an emergency contact number that he can easily access in case something were to happen to you while you are gone (and for some reason didn't get right back there).
Don't you have a mailbox there at your house?
I saw that u said he had the stomach virus! I think my 3 yr old has thebsame thing she is co Irving anything she eats and is now drinking pedialite! Is there anything else I should do?
