No way! That is not okay! 15 minutes maybe but an hour? And stopping to buy lunch? With the oven on??

I would sometimes leave my boys alone while I popped to the shop to get something for lunch. We live in a rural area so I never had to worry about traffic or anything like that. I certainly wouldn’t leave a 5 year old on his own for more than a couple of minutes and that would only be if I was hanging the washing on the line. What is she going to do when her new baby arrives. Leave the 5 year old to babysit? If I lived in the city my youngest would have to be at least 12 and responsible before I’d leave him alone but I’d be panicking the whole time till I got back to them. She is definitely in the wrong and I think she needs to grow up herself

I am not comfortable leaving my 10 and 8 year old sons together home alone (and they are rather mature), I would never leave my 5 year old there too with them. The furthest I have ventured out while leaving my eldest 2 home along (I leave my mobile with them so they can call dad, and always call my husband to let him know what is going on) is up to the train station to pick up my husband. The max i have left them form 15 minutes. Leaving a 5 year old home alone with an oven on is a big no no. What if the food in side burnt and caught on fire, a 5 year old wouldn’t know what to do or even notice it if they were engrossed in their device.

I always think, what would happen to my child if i left him at home and then something awful happened to me? I might be in an awful accident and be taken to hospital and not be able to tell anyone that i have a child at home. I know it’s so tempting to quickly nip out to get some bananas – a job that will take 5 minutes, but if I’m confident that my child could pick up a phone and ring someone if i don’t return home, then i am not leaving them home by themself. I think maybe at age 10 i could leae them alone for short periods.

This is not okay. And adding a turned-on oven in the mix. You never know what can or might happen. Does a 5 year old know how to react in an emergency? How to or when to call 000? It can put stress on the child too. I’m not sure at what age it is suitable, but definitely not at 5. And somewhere she knew this… lying to her partner meant she knew deep down it was wrong.

Five years old I don’t think so even a ten year old can be irresponsible. She did the wrong thing!

Not only would I NOT let a 5yo be home alone, but the oven on as well?

I wouldn’t even have the oven on if NO ONE was home. What if you were delayed at the shops? You would come home to a burnt down house!!!

What age to leave a child? Every child is different. Some 18 year olds can’t be trusted! Each country has its rules doesn’t it? You have to abide by them or will come under scrutiny of child protection services… and if the child is hurt then you’d have that tragedy because you weren’t there. Of course we need rules but I do think that some children in some situations can manage even though they are strictly ‘too young’. Yet I also see double standards – plenty of ‘very young’ kids make their own way to school etc. and that seems acceptable to the community, but not letting them play at home.

Wow – this lady needs to be educated on the welfare of young children – there are too many hazards in a house to contemplate leaving a child this young alone.

I think 5 year old kid is too young to leave alone.Shopping not easy to do in hurry.But she might have a reason.

Hopefully her and her partner have worked this out together in the end. Yes kids are hard and I understand wanting to go without the son as kids can take ages to get ready but there’s a difference with actually doing it. Plus the partner had a right to be upset as it’s his child too.

There are probably other ‘different’ parenting decisions that this mum is making, if this is the issue that has come out.

I’ve read this before. It’s hard to believe that she would rather child neglect and endangerment than get her son ready, and the excuse of being pregnant? My second pregnancy was excruciating, but it never stopped me getting my (then) 2 year old ready to go out! I gave birth yesterday and was still doing things for both my children prior to going to hospital.

Being a parent means being responsible. Did this woman ever stop to think that her little boy could have been burnt touching the oven or what if the house burnt down and he was killed in the process? I am appalled to even read this and agree with the father of the boy. I would have strong words with her also. She is not fit to be a mother and I feel for the child she is carrying. So irresponsible. The safety of your children is of the utmost priority and a five-year-old should definitely never be left alone. It is far too dangerous I wouldn’t want to even think of the consequences. I am glad the little fellow is okay and his father found him safe and well. Shame on you woman. You are selfish and I call what you did abandonment.

I usually don’t judge people but leaving a 5 year old child with the oven ON is courting trouble!! Legally no children under 12 years are allowed to be left alone at home. I do hope this mum learns her lessons & not risk Her children.

I’m not one to usually judge another parents decision but this is just discussing.

Being a mum comes with responsibility. We all have days were we want to not parent but that’s not the child’s fault, that child does not deserve to be home alone at the age of 5!
Many people have had further pregnancies after their first born and you know what!! We (i hope) all still put the care of our child first.

The father should pack his things and take his son for full custody and the newborn (when born).

Cravings or no cravings this is just wrong

What is this world coming to!!!

All I can say is just wow.
The nerve she has saying that she won’t let the father see the child..
Just wow

This is disgusting. I’m not one usually poorly judge a parents decision however this really makes me very opinionated.
The dad has every right to get angry over this behaviour. Your a mum, one of your responsibilities is to care for your child. How is leaving your 5 year old son at home responsible.

Even thinking this is okay, I think the dad needs to take the son and newborn (when born) for full custody.

What is wrong with some people

There is no way I would be leaving my 5 yer old home alone. Not old enough – no where near it at all! I agree with her partner and would be furious if my husband did this with our son

I usually love reading articles and blogs on mouths of mums and although I definitely agree that she shouldn’t be leaving her son home alone I’m a bit disappointed with how this was written. Definitely could have been written in a more professional way instead of having a bi*tch.