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Would you let your 12 year old look after your 5 year old?

ChunkyChook View Member Profile	13/11/2012, 03:20 PM Post #1
Posts: 4,713 Joined: 25-February 08 From: Victoria
Advanced Member
I know every child is different, but would you let your year 7 child collect their sibling from Prep (schools are opposite each other) and walk home 15 minutes and then be at home together for an hour until you or hubby got home from work??? Is it even legal?

Becky Thatcher View Member Profile	13/11/2012, 03:24 PM Post #2
Posts: 1,348 Joined: 7-June 12
Advanced Member
Yes I would do it. This post has been edited by LindsayMK: 13/11/2012, 03:25 PM

Jen the hen View Member Profile	13/11/2012, 03:32 PM Post #3
Posts: 116 Joined: 15-July 12
Member
Yep! As long as the 12 year old is a responsible sort. You could always get them to call you when they got safe home?

nouveauxmum View Member Profile	13/11/2012, 03:35 PM Post #4
Posts: 18 Joined: 10-April 05
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i wouldn't ..it just feels like too much responsibility at such a young age but that's just my opinion

PinkPaper View Member Profile	13/11/2012, 03:36 PM Post #5
Posts: 303 Joined: 18-July 07
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I'm asking this same question now. My DSD is 12 and my DS is almost 6 (in prep)...DSD is asking for babysitting duties and DS is asking for DSD to walk him home from school!

JustBeige View Member Profile	13/11/2012, 03:36 PM Post #6
Posts: 11,025 Joined: 1-December 06
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With my two, Nope, because they fight like lunatics sometimes. The younger thinks the elder is "bossy" and it all goes downhill from there. TBH, I know quite a few people who do do this because they have very compliant children and no other option.

lifehacker View Member Profile	13/11/2012, 03:38 PM Post #7
Posts: 7,302 Joined: 25-August 07
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No.

BlackBetty View Member Profile	13/11/2012, 03:40 PM Post #8
Posts: 1,723 Joined: 10-June 05
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No, my five year old still gets excited and I think it would be quite easy to loose them at pick up, such as if the elder child stopped to chat to a friend. I always think of these questions in the way of would you and the 12 year old be able to handle the fall out if anything did go wrong. I don't think I could put that onto a 12 year old. I would probably trust them at home but it is the walk home and crossing roads that would concern me. Karen

Jenflea View Member Profile	13/11/2012, 03:40 PM Post #9
Posts: 6,696 Joined: 15-October 10 From: ACT
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My sister and myself and my twin brother used to walk home a pretty fair way after school(or ride bikes more often) and be home by ourselves for a few hours. Nothing bad happened. We were 12 and 10. I'd do it.

MrsLexiK View Member Profile	13/11/2012, 03:42 PM Post #10
Posts: 3,690 Joined: 10-May 12
Advanced Member
QUOTE (PinkPaper @ 13/11/2012, 04:36 PM) I'm asking this same question now. My DSD is 12 and my DS is almost 6 (in prep)...DSD is asking for babysitting duties and DS is asking for DSD to walk him home from school! I think in this case I would feel comfortable as both children feel comfortable. If both children didn't feel comfortable I wouldn't.

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