Mumsnet User Asks: ‘Would You Leave a Sleeping 10-Month-Old Home Alone For 7 Minutes?’

A Mumsnet user has sparked debate with a question they posted on the parenting forum. Dakin1 received over 800 responses to their question: “Would you leave a peacefully sleeping 10m old home alone for 7 minutes?” The user explained that their 10-month-old sleeps reliably and at the same time every day. They also said that their journey took 7 minutes and the destination was 50m away. Unsurprisingly, a number of parents immediately shot down the idea, referencing incidents like fire and abduction as reasons for doing so. One wrote: “I always think what if you were knocked over outside? No-one would know the baby was in the house alone.” Another commented: “No, never. Although the likelihood of something happening is low the severity of harm from the risk if it something did happen (fire etc) would be high.” Others said that they personally wouldn’t do it but weren’t judging the user for having done it. One pointed out that you could also get knocked out at home while another said: “In my head I know it would be ok, but I don't think I could actually bring myself to do it.” Some said it depended on the circumstances while a few admitted to doing something similar because they needed something for their baby. Dakin1 added that they were worried during the trip before explaining that the reason they asked the question was to see if they were “out of order” for leaving the baby in the house. What do you think of this? Let us know in the Facebook comments or get in touch on Twitter (@HerFamilydotie).