Hidden crisis’ of small children left home alone while parents work”
When can a mother leave kids home alone? At what age?
– Tens of millions of children under the age of five are regularly being left alone while their parents go to work, according to a groundbreaking report on the “hidden crisis” of childcare around the world.
Babies under 12 months old are among those left alone, or in the care of siblings younger
than 10, for at least one hour a week, the report finds.
In the poorest countries, lack of parental leave, pre-school education or creches – or the money to pay for them – left women facing the agonising choice between not earning money to feed their family, taking children to work or leaving them at home alone, say researchers.
Many mothers said they feared their children risked injury, or that their behaviour and development would suffer due to loneliness. Separately, medical studies have shown that a lack of supervision leads to more children being hurt or killed by accidents, such as poisoning or drowning.
Many mothers said they feared their children risked injury, or that their behaviour and development would suffer due to loneliness. Separately, medical studies have shown that a lack of supervision leads to more children being hurt or killed by accidents, such as poisoning or drowning.
Many women took more drastic precautions to keep their children safe. “We would lock our children at home when we went to work,” said the spokeswoman. “We would give the children a small dose of opium so that they would sleep for eight to 10 hours.
“Our children would lie there in soiled nappies until we came back. Often our children would cry continuously, and fall down from the cradle [and] we would only know when we returned.”
Ok, Nigerian mums, At what age can you leave your kid home alone to run errands? Please share…
Nigerian Moms are really trying especially now that it's difficult to leave kids with strangers. I locked my sleeping two year old at home and went shopping, b y the time I came back, he had cried and cried and cried until he fell asleep again behind the front door. That broke my heart and I haven't locked him again for any reason. God forbid something worse happens, what will you tell the world?
I gave my restless baby phernegan before, sleep deprivation was killing me and the baby won't just sleep for even a complete hour. I don't think I'll try that again.
No mother should lock a baby at home for any reason.
Oh no!i'd never! Not judging any1 who has coz I dunno your reasons but my imagination will go wild without being there!i'd think of terrible scenarios like fire,toxins poisoning, choking with small objects etc. Can't even leave my toddler in another room alone sef!! This our kids too precious o!they are rare gems!
It's a pity that Nigerians only think of their security and dnt even bother to think about safety. Pls on no condition should you lock any one at home not even a child. ND if u have to leave ur children at home(not babies), let them have the keys and let them know d dangers of opening d door to stranger. God forbid if fire or some in happens ND dey need to run out, they would be able to. You cld also leave a phone with them so u cld call dem every hour. Pls for no reason shld u lock ur child at home. Look for alternative means