If your kids were aged 10 and 13, would you leave them at home alone… for practically the whole school holidays?
A mother on British website Mumsnet is coming under fire for revealing that she’s doing just that. The woman, calling herself ‘Deffonamechange’, says she and her husband both work and don’t get many holidays – just one week off together in summer.
“The rest of the time the kids are on their own, all day, every day, for six weeks,” she explains. “They won’t go to any activity clubs. I can’t ask their friends round with no adult in the house. I know that they sit on the computer with headphones in ALL day!
“I feel sorry for them. Anyone else in the same boat as us?”

Many of the people who replied felt the kids shouldn’t be left on their own all day, labelling the mum “really irresponsible” and “rather neglectful”.
“The 10-year-old needs to go to a holiday club,” said one. “Your parenting is really inappropriate.”
Some were particularly bothered about the amount of time the kids were spending in front of a screen.
“To be honest, I'd also be a bit concerned about what kind of stuff they may encounter playing on the internet all day,” one wrote.
But there were also people who supported the original mum’s decision.
“I was a single parent and did much the same,” explained one mum. “In those days it was endless TV and videos. My daughter has grown into a well-educated, balanced young woman. Love doesn't necessarily mean being there for every minute. Keep on truckin'!”

Top Comments
Well that's not actually true, s43 NSW Crimes Act says you cannot, without reasonable excuse, intentionally abandon or expose a child under 7 years if it causes danger of death or serious injury. Meaning, if you leave a child unattended, and something happens to that child, you are criminally liable.
In QLD and VIC you cannot leave a child unattended, whether it be in a car or at home, and that child is left for an unreasonable time and no reasonable provision for the supervision and care of that child has taken place, then you have committed a misdemeanour.
The child "won't go"? What other power does that child have in that house?
I read the "won't go" as 'they won't be able to go' to any kids clubs, not that they refused to go??!
Thing is, I've heard other parents say their kids won't do this or that , that was essential. Or one said they let their kid decide which car they should buy!
As an introvert, the idea of a holiday club would have been akin to pure hell for me as a kid. Making a child participate in something they don't want (especially during the holidays!) would be cruel.
I started off shy, etc, but brownie guides drew me out of my shell.