whats a safe age

[SuperMum10/12]

hi everyone l was just wonting to ask you all what do you think is a safe age to leave younger children with older children the reason l was wondering because l left some of my children with my 14 year old and having 10/12 children it is a challenge to take them all and it was night about 6.30 and 3 of my younger children were in there beds asleep well why l was gone 2 of my children Corey 11 Tayla 8 went out side it was still light daylight savings anyway l was 45min and why l was gone a guy that lives 4 house from my rang the police on me dose anyone think that l did anything wrong the police guy told me that he would have to let DHS now but they didn't even contact me so what do you think

[studyingECS]

I dont think there is anything wrong with what you did:no:

[westerner]

What was he doing studying your house, your children, and your where abouts?? :confused:

I think he needs to stop looking in your yard and at your children and yourself and get himself a hobby..

Sounds like a bit of a weirdo to me..

I dont think you did anything wrong no.. :no: You know your children best and if you are happy with leaving some of them with the older ones then that is your choice to make..
I mean its not as if you left them for weeks and with no food while you went and took drugs, yanno.. :rolleyes:

But i would definatly have a chat to the kids and ensure that next time they do not go out the front door..
Especially considering the guy you have living down the street.. ;)

[MrsDribbleDrawers]

My big ones are 9 and 5, and while I wouldn't leave the baby with them, we regularly leave them for a time while we pop to the shops - it can be very painful dragging children around the shops if they really don't want to be there!! Hubby hates doing it - but after dragging DS around with us today (school hols are nearly over, he's dying to get back to school!!), I think he agrees with me! We always insist they stay inside - they're not even allowed in the back yard if we're not home!! Personally, I wouldn't have been 45min away - if something goes wrong, you can't get back quickly enough, but when I was a kid of around 15, my parents went overseas and left me in charge of my bro and sis for 24hrs, before my nan arrived to look after us!!

[MilkOnTap]

Sorry - did I read that right? Do you have 12 children?

[Noah_and_Elijah]

I leave my 10 month old with my sister occasionally and she is 14.5 years old. It all depends on their maturity though as to what age I would be letting them stay at home.

I was babysitting and staying home alone from the age of 11 and my sister was about the same age so no harm done. :)

[lilpearl]

It's just choice - I used to babysit for various people, including their babies and toddlers, at the age of 14. Some 14 year olds are mature, some aren't...it's up to you to judge this.....surely it isn't illegal? Lot's of 14y/o's babysit.

[SuperMum10/12]

Hi Pink Lady to your rely I have 10 Healthy children that live in my life and back in 2000 I lost my twin girls they would be turning 7 this Christmas so yes I am very proud to say I am a Mum of 12 children...

[SuperMum10/12]

Hi everyone to help with this Thread I would just like at introduced you to my large family there is myself my Husband Craig.. my children are Melissa 19, Jamie 18, Dylan 14, Corey 11, Tayla 8, April 5, Zowie 4, Kyle 3, Dekota 2, River 5 months..... then in between Tayla and April I lost my lovely Twin girls Keelie and Kara they would have been 7 years old at Christmas.... My older 2 Melissa and Jamie have not long moved out of my home but they still come over a lot...

[OJandMe]

wow! 12 children... that's gorgeous!!


Can I ask... what do you do in the way of dicipline??? I have a hard enough time controlling my 2.5yr old twins!

We want a large family... (probably wouldn't end up with 12.... but we're hitting for 6!)

Any tips???


And, no.. I don't think there was anything wrong with it!! I was babysitting at 14:yes: . And you were only gone for 45 mins!!

Your neighbour sounds like a weirdo.

[OJandMe]

And what gorgeous names they all have too!!

[Susan Mac]

I think it depends on the 14 year old.

I probably wouldn't leave a 14 year old with the younger kids all day, but a short trip is fine. As long as they are aware of what to do if there is a problem I suppose.

I was eldest of 7, and I occasionally would have to look after the younger ones at 14, but mostly at the shopping centre with the shopping from woolies while mum ducked into coles, that sort of thing. A gradual gaining of trust I guess.

My sister is just turned 14 and Mum will leave number 7 (who is 8) with her while she goes to the shops for a quick trip, but she wouldnt' leave them home together all day.

[SuperMum10/12]

Hi OJandMe thank you for the competent on the name of my children ... Well having 5 under 5 is fun in it's self well I guess with Tayla 8,April 5, Zowie 4, Kyle 3 and Dekota 2 I tell them something for e.g put there shoes in there shoes box and if they don't do it I say to them mummy will count to 3 and if it's not done you will go to time out most of the time I get to 2 and they are on there way doing it if I get to 3 they go in the time out room witch is the bath room it needs to be a boring spot they stay there for a certain amount of time ( if they are chucking a tantrum then you must wait until they stop the tantrum before you start the time ) e.g say Zowie is the child that l am dealing with well I ask her then I give her till the count of 3 then if it's not done then time out if she is playing up then when she stops then I give her 4 minits as she is 4 I go by each child's age then I ask her why did she got time out and she will say then a hug and kiss and we go and do it I go with her but she dose it and then I praise her..I now this sounds a lot but it works for me and it even works with Dekota 2 and I even use it with Corey 11 and Dylan 14 if you can get your littles to help with little jobs like picking up there toys and putting them away you can do it with them or make it like a game or a race who can get the toys in the box faster ...I hope this can help it works for me so I hope this helps you to....

[Areca]

my mum informed me today that the legal age to leave a child alone is 14...she's not sure if that includes leaving them to look after younger children or not though. I think 14 is fine...I think 9 and 5 is way way way too young.

[mikaylasmummy]

I do not think that there was anything wrong with that.

[InSaneOne]

we had put 13 as the age to be left home without parental supervision at all times in the consent orders for the children when dh was dealing with his ex.

now the older kids (15, 14, 12) we have no problems leaving them at home while we go out and if beth (2) is sleeping then we leave her with them and can duck off childless for a few hours. they just call us when she wakes and we head straight back home. on occaison we have left one child home alone but only for an hour at the most and they know not to open the door for anything short of the house being on fire (or my mum turning up for a visit)