Okay, you’ve decided to give it a go. What now? Start small. Don’t fling the door open and scream, “You’re in charge of the house for six hours, good luck!” That’s how you come back to a cat wearing your lipstick. Try 30 minutes while you walk the dog. See how they handle silence and a biscuit tin.
Have a check-in system. Text them, “You alive?” If they reply with a grunt, that’s a win. If they send a selfie of them holding a lighter, you’ve got issues. Set rules about using the oven, locking doors, and never telling anyone online they’re alone. Because, duh, the internet is terrifying.
The “What If” List (Because We’re Paranoid Parents)
Let’s talk about the worst-case. What if there’s a fire? Do they know their address and how to dial 999? What if a stranger knocks? Teach them to say, “Mum’s napping” (even if she’s at Aldi). What if they run out of snacks? That’s a real crisis. Stock up beforehand.
Honestly, most thirteen-year-olds are pretty responsible. They’re not toddlers with scissors. But they’re also not tiny adults. They’ll forget to eat vegetables, leave the fridge open, and probably lose your credit card under the sofa. Plan for chaos.
One in five UK parents have left their 8 to 9-year-olds home alone
