10 yr. old poll question

lulu · 05-11-2004, 09:18 PM

I am curious to know what everyone's opinion is on the following situation:

Do you think a 10 year old is old enough to get ready for school in the

(including eating breakfast, taking medication, getting dressed) without ANY supervision at all? No adults around to make sure that things are done?

Kathleen · 05-12-2004, 09:01 AM

I Kinda leave my girls age 9 and 11 alone in the

. I have to go do crossing guard at 8:00 and I try to have them out the door with me before they catch the bus at 8:25. I then give my daughter her meds before she goes to the bus..

I would say it would depend on how responsible the child is.. Mine are total flakes most

s and will not get organized the night before,

If the clothing has been approved and you know it will be what they come home in and everything else is together and the meds are laid out in a pill box so there is no mistakes I would say that if it is for an hour or less Yes. I would be panicking the whole time and telling her to call me when she leaves for school

Countrymama · 05-12-2004, 01:49 PM

ok it wouldnt let me vote, but I would have to say no to be totally unsupervised, Nikki gets up and dressed for school by herself. ok maybe a little proding to get out of bed. but I wouldnt leave her here by herself and her make it to the bus on time. and when she was on meds for the thyroid, I constantly had to remind her to take them.

But then again it depends on the maturity level of the child.

Summerwaters · 05-28-2004, 11:20 PM

I understand alot of the children these days, are mature for their age. At age 11, I'm sure they don't need as much supervision as they use to. Yet, being completely unsupervised, No. I say this because I've know young girls who were allowed to be on their own at such a age, and younger. (1) Did all right in her childhood, this age included. She was quite responsible for her age, was left to handled herself and siblings yet. The kick was she suffered many problems with resentment, and tired of assumming such adult responsiblities later in her adult life. Another friend who is longer here, was in the same position. So I learned at a early age, Children can assume a great deal of responsibility(ties) at early ages. Yet, they seem to suffer later on in their early adult years. Where they are worn out. They no longer want to be responsible, when it really counts. They seem to go heywire, and want to do all the things, that they should have been allowed to do in their youth. Thus appearing to be slackers. When they are just plane tired/resentful.

A 11 year old needs some supervision from their adult parent/guardian. Even the mature ones.

Summerwaters

chickiepoo · 05-29-2004, 03:13 AM

My 10 yr. old gets up with an alarm clock, gets dressed, has a snack(sometimes), and catches the bus. 85% of the time on his own. He has breakfast at school. He has been doing this since he was 9.

My oldest is 17. He got himself off to school as well.

I know a single father of 4. He goes to work early in the morn. His children have had to get themselves to school by themselves for many years.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to get their children off to school.

My philosophy is not the norm. I'm raising my children to be independant. Getting them prepared for the "big" world.

Re-reading this I sound harsh. I'm not. My kids and I have a great relationship. As much a teen, pre-teen, and 3yr old can have. LOL