Leaving kids alone?

[singledad001]

Hi- this is my first post here. I'm a dad with two older kids- 17 and 20, but my girlfriend, who I haven't been dating very long has 12 and 5 year old boys. We had made plans to go to the mountains for the day to visit with some of my friends- just the two of us. I had assumed she had arranged for some child-care, but last night I found out she is going to leave her boys alone for a good 8-10 hours, and we will be out of cell coverage for quite a bit of that time. She hasn't met her neighbors, so they are truly on their own.

Is this something I am overreacting to? I'm very tempted to cancel the trip- I think that is way too young to leave a 12yo in charge, and am kind of freaking out over it, and it has affected my entire perception of her.

Any opinions? Thanks!

[Zack_Jenn]

I personally would be too worried myself to leave my kids home like that, but most state laws say that a 10 year old can watch their siblings and a 12 year old for non-family members.

I know that probably doesn't help, but it's something to consider. If you are really worried then maybe you should try to make babysitting arrangements?

[freakof6]

I think it depends on the maturity of the 12 yr. old. I have 6 kids. Some of them I trusted to babysit at 12 and some I wouldn't at 16. She knows her boys best. On the other hand, if it really makes you worry, you probably wouldn't enjoy your day anyway. Talk to her about yur concern.

[Claira A01]

I do agree, with the opinion that it depends upon how mature is the 12yr old. She knows her boy well then you do. Talk to her and let her know your concern and come to conclusion with mutual understanding.

[Cracker1]

I agree with you. I would either help find babysitting, or cancel the trip. It does not matter how mature they are. Do they know simple first aid? Hymlic, cpr, how to compress bleeding till an ambulance arrives? Even if the did, would they not freak out at the time and forget it all?

My oldest two cousins, were both considered mature. At 12 and 11. They were taught to cook. Both girls new some basics of cooking. They got up early and decide to make them some breakfast. They made bacon, and as they were taught, dumped the grease out into a cantainer to be dump in the trash. What they didn't know was that 1 you wait till it cools down, and 2 don't use a glass mason jar. The jar exploded all over the youngers chest and she has 2nd degree burn scars on her breast and belly now. They were shown to use a metal can, but it was obviously not emphasized enough.

Now, most likely, nothing will happen and they'll be fine, but it only takes a second for perfect day to turn into Murphies law.