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Find free worksheets, and information and articles on activities, schooling, stages of development and more at Essential Kids: www.essentialkids.com.au

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DS 8 1st one home?

bondibelle View Member Profile	21/01/2013, 04:17 PM Post #1
Posts: 122 Joined: 14-March 07
Member
DS~8yrs has been going to ASC now for 2 years and possibly again this year, however i am curious as to the feedback on how young is too young for kids to have a house key and let themselves in afterschool? The school bus would drop him off at our door (it's a very small school) and I would be home approx 45- 60min (no later) after him. Providing there were strict rules in place re: homework, answering telephone/door - could this work? I am curious as to how other parents feel about this.

Sif View Member Profile	21/01/2013, 04:39 PM Post #2
Posts: 5,302 Joined: 22-October 03 From: Melbourne
+
8 is a bit young, I think, but it depends on the kid, I guess. I was left home alone with my brother when I was 8 and he was 6, but we definitely got up to stuff...

Funwith3 View Member Profile	21/01/2013, 04:39 PM Post #3
Posts: 973 Joined: 6-February 06 From: Victoria
Regular Member
Although I'm sure there'd be no problems, I wouldn't let my DD do that ( and she's turning 8 next month). Maybe when she's 10?

howdo View Member Profile	21/01/2013, 04:40 PM Post #4
Posts: 13,660 Joined: 10-June 06
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My lower limit is 10.

Sif View Member Profile	21/01/2013, 04:41 PM Post #5
Posts: 5,302 Joined: 22-October 03 From: Melbourne
+
That said, my older boys are both getting house keys this year, and if the 11 year old (turning twelve in June) comes home before us, he will be in charge of our 7 year old, but they're both very truthworthy kids (I'm actually more concerned about the 13 year old, but thankfully it'll take him a while to get home either way!)...

The Old Bag View Member Profile	21/01/2013, 04:43 PM Post #6
Posts: 2,341 Joined: 15-August 10
Advanced Member
My nearly 9yo would lose the key eventually, so no, not for him. I think I would also want a child put in this position to have a mobile phone.

gettheetoanunner... gettheetoanunnery View Member Profile	21/01/2013, 04:48 PM Post #7
Posts: 423 Joined: 7-July 08
Member
I think it depends on how relatively mature he is \. With my oldest boy (8) I wouldn't have a problem with it - he is a "serious" type With DS2 & 3, I'd come home to a shaved dog and an indoor skate park. If he took it seriously and could handle it, it could be an awesome opportunity to build some independence, have free reign of the remote and enjoy the solitude I wouldn't expect homework to be done. More like something to eat, get changed and read/watch tv. No stove, no taking phonecalls, no answering door. If he was prone to anxiety or reckless and impulsive behaviour, I wouldn't do it.

Banana Pancakes View Member Profile	21/01/2013, 05:02 PM Post #8
Posts: 4,972 Joined: 20-July 05
.
It would be a no from me as well. I think half way through year 6 would be a good starting time in my household.

feliz6 View Member Profile	21/01/2013, 05:43 PM Post #9
Posts: 960 Joined: 20-October 11
Regular Member
8 would be too young for me to feel comfortable.

MahnaMahna View Member Profile	21/01/2013, 05:49 PM Post #10
Posts: 6,597 Joined: 4-May 08
+
8 is too young IMO. At the moment I would lean towards 10+. The stuff my brother and I used to get up to after school would horrify my mother...and we were older than 10!

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