Mom Confession: I'm Considering Leaving My Toddler Home Alone...

on February 12, 2010 at 11:00 AM

Photo by ErinKoeser616

It's time for a Mom Confession -- because, let's face it, we're real mothers and sometimes it doesn't work the way the parenting books say it should.

This Week's Confession:

My oldest daughter goes to school three blocks from our house. It literally takes me 5 or 6 minutes to drive her to school and drop her off. My dilemma is that my 3 year old is super grumpy for half the day when she's woken up early. And my oldest daughter's school schedule and my work schedule make it so that she can't take naps in the afternoons; so by dinner time she's exhausted.

Would you leave her asleep in her bed while you took the older one to school? My husband says yes, leave her. But I picture of horrible things like electrical fires or her waking up and being traumatized that she was left alone...

We all have secrets -- so thanks to this brave mom for sharing her honest thoughts, and thank you for keeping this conversation non-judgmental!

Do you have a Mom Confession you want to share? PM me. We can share your confession with your CafeMom screenname or anonymously.

Past Confessions:

Mom Confession: I Don't Trust My Child's Daycare

I Don't Think I Like My Child...

I Let My Toddler Throw Toys

I Throw Away Their Toys and Lie About It

I Don't Let My Kids Eat Junk Food Even Though I Do

I Put My Child to Bed Late so She Wakes Up Late

I Accidentally Left My Toddler

I Skip Bathtime If I'm Too Tired

I Let My Toddler Watch Too Much TV

I've Given My Child Benadryl for Early Bedtime

My Kids Sleep Alone in the Car

I'm Afraid My Husband is Going to Die

I Don't Like Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

I Have a Family, But I'm Lonely

I Lie and Say I'm "Working" to Avoid Playing

I Let My Son Fall Asleep to DVDs

I Don't Shield My Kids' Eyes from Nudity

I Use Housecleaning to Avoid Playing With My Kids

I Am Not a Fun Mom

I Don't Set Up Play Dates for My Kids

I Wish I Had a Fulfilling Career Outside the Home

I Use My Kid's Flushable Toilet Wipes

I'm Going to Disney Without My Children

I Bribe My Children

I Hate Reading Children's Books

I Sleep Naked With My Toddler

I Hate My Neighbor's Kid

I Don't Like to Play

I Sleep While My Kid Is Up

My Kid Watches TV Up Close

I Let My Toddler Play Outside Alone

I Turn My Kids Over to A Mom I Just Met

My Toddler Wears Crude T-Shirts

I Let My Toddlers Climb Play Equipment Unassisted

My Kids Go to Sleep After Midnight

I Let My Toddlers Go Naked in Public

I Throw Away My Kid's Artwork

I Paid $22 for My Son's Haircut

My Toddlers Eat Pizza for Breakfast

I'm Dying My Toddler's Hair

I Leave My Toddler Alone in the Bath

Our Children Aren't Invited to Our Wedding

I Scold Other People's Kids

I'm on Vacation, But My Kid Is Still Going to Day Care

I Favor My Older Child

I Let My Toddler Eat Food Before Paying for It

I Find Excuses to Send My Kids to Bed Early

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: confessions

Comments (33)

Pishyah

on Feb 12, 2010 at 11:36 AM

1-That is illegal.

2- No way in hell. I do (but don't like) walking to the front of my yard to the mailbox while my child/ren are in the house. Even when I know they're safe.

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Trinity12.06.08

on Feb 12, 2010 at 12:01 PM

I think leaving your 3 year old home alone just because they get cranky when woken up early is way wrong. Just because they are in bed sleeping, doesn't mean something won't happen to them. What if they threw up in their sleep and choked on it? Yeah, not something I would even consider doing EVER.

Plus, like a PP said, it's illegal.

Loveplusmama

on Feb 12, 2010 at 12:24 PM

Do you have a neighbor that might be willing to come in and sit for that very brief period of time?

Or maybe another parent in the class could help you get your child to school- either via walking school bus (you are so close!) or a ride? You could ask the teacher about getting help from another parent. They may know someone willing to help.

toriandgrace

on Feb 12, 2010 at 1:08 PM

Do you have a neighbor who can walk your older child to school? I think that'd be the best option, or just an early bedtime for the three year old. The furtherest I will go with my child home alone was to the neighbor's house to borrow something when we lived in base housing.. but they were attached, so it was closer than the mailbox. Otherwise, I keep her with me. I know it's tempting, but I wouldn't do it.

cmr123x

on Feb 12, 2010 at 1:18 PM

So what if the child is grumpy. Adjust her naps to your schedule, a 3 year old should by this age be able to adjust to anything.

ethans_momma06

on Feb 12, 2010 at 1:38 PM

Anything can happen in a spilt second. Anything. When it comes to the safety of your child, better safe then sorry.

science_spot

on Feb 12, 2010 at 1:59 PM

I know I wouldn't do this on a regular basis, like the mom is suggesting. I understand it's hard to deal with the situation she is in, but there is just too much that can happen.

Momof3cuties

on Feb 12, 2010 at 2:09 PM

Accidents happen all the time...imagine if you were in an accident & seriously injured & couldn't get back to her or an accident along the way held you up. Your child would be terrified to wake up & not be able to find you. I would work on tweaking your 3 yr olds routines & schedule a bit to either put her to bed earlier so that she's not so grumpy during the day & getting the rest she needs.

aurorabunny

on Feb 12, 2010 at 2:19 PM

No oh dear god no no no and no.

Worst.Idea.Ever.

nathaniel51208

on Feb 12, 2010 at 5:38 PM

I put other and please explain. How many school age kids walk by your house everyday. How many other parents walk by with their little ones. Maybe you can get your neighborhood to get a group of school age kids to walk together to school. Or maybe you can have a neighbor watch your little one while you drive. There are alternatives to you leaving your child home asleep.