This woman is a nasty piece of work. She did wrong but instead plays victim and shes is out for vengence when she says she will leave and never let her husband see his kids again. I hope that the Dad is taking note of these things. He should be writing down dates and times and what occured so that if in the future they part ways he can apply for custody as this woman can not be trusted. The fact that she was doing it behind her partners back tells me that she knew it was wrong.

I had a neighbour who used to do this… he would lock the gate to the yard and leave the kid in the house alone! if there was an emergency it would have been hard to help the poor kid. I reported them several times….nothing seemed to happen.

She doesn’t deserve kids!

Yeah I definately don’t think it’s ok his 5, sorry but seriously what are you thinking there’s a million things that could go wrong or happen to a child in minutes….. Also ATM I’m 7 months pregnant, 14 month old, 7, 9, 10 and 12 yr old children alone as a single mum and we cope it’s very difficult at times but Safety, Security and love are the most important things to be a parent. This is my view on the situation, thankyou

I feel guilty enoigh leaving my younger child downstairs by them self for 15 minutes while I get the baby down for a nap! My anxiety levels are high and I worry about them getting into something they shouldn’t despite the house being childproofed. There is
No way I would leave them home alone.

This comment is one to many. Please plan ahead if you have to go out and if you ,have to go wait until you can take your child with you or children.

As much as I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave a 5 year old home alone for even an hour, I also understand that sometimes as mums we do what we need to do to get through the day. 5 year olds can be massive assholes! I have twin 5 year olds! I get it! I’ve cried at he thought of having to take them to the shop with me when I have needed something because one of them can be so difficult in public. He struggles a lot. And a mum knows their kids, I’m sure she would have thought a lot about it and prepared her son.
I haven’t done it but my gosh I’ve seriously contemplated it before!! I’ve thought about chucking a movie on and ducking out for 20minutes opposed to it being a 2 hour process to take them!
Maybe rather than putting her down, her husband should have talked to her about what is the main issue she has taking him and what he can do to help support her.
Maybe she can online order and he can pickup on the way home? Or maybe he can cook dinner that night and she can go alone to do the shopping when he gets home from work. Sounds like mum really needs some alone stress free time and a helping hand

As a grandmother of 8 I think you have been selfish, irresponsible and just plain silly, 5 years old is way too young to be left at home. Why could he not have gone with you?

Everyone is different

I really hope this doesn’t happen with the new stage 4 in Melbourne. Fingers crossed we keep our kiddies safe and protected

I always feel a little bit anxious leaving my 6 and 3 year old with somebody else let alone leaving them on their own. Especially leaving the oven on as well. That mother was being so selfish as I know it would be easier to do things alone but would never leave my kids alone to do it. I think a child would have to be around 12 years old before they could be left alone for short periods.

Very irresponsible to leave a 5 year old alone.

This is not OK what if something happened this mum would never forgive herself

Wow, just reading the title made me panic. Thank goodness nothing happened.
Regarding the age to leave a child at home alone, I would say 13, but it depends on the child

I’ve only got a little one so not yet even thinking about that but reading this made my stomach tighten and my whole body start to feel anxious. Thank heaven nothing happened!

I would say 12 year old, no less than that. I can’t believe hoy she did that not only to the kid but also her partner!!

This women is insane!! I’m sure her partners reaction was totally justified!! That is WAY too Young! I think maybe 10 years old and only if they where mature enough to handle it, and not for long periods, maybe half hour at the most!

Just crazy. I think this one is completely made up. Oh as if you would leave a five year old home, with the oven on no less!

There are so many variables! Where do you live? Is it a safe neighbourhood? Do you know your neighbours well (not just a hi over the fencr) do they have a way of contacting you? What’s their maturity level? I don’t think there is a set age I’d use.

Omg. It’s sometimes crossed my mind for a brief second but i have never, and will never leave my child home alone when they are young. So much could happen. What if something happens to you. Also nowadays you can shop online etc or get a babysitter. I think the Mum was being selfish.