When you leave your child in someone else’s care at a sleepover, you expect the parents to be there, right?
You’d also probably expect the children to be either entertained, or provided with some sort of snacks and general care whilst in their house.
Well not in this child’s case, as they were left unsupervised with their friends whilst their friends parents left to allegedly go to the office.
The mum who took to Mumsnet was shocked, however, to learn that the child’s mum came back ‘stumbling’ because she’d actually been at the pub.
She asked on the platform if other parents found her unreasonable for wanting more for her kids.
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In a post, she explained: "There are a lot of other issues with this family but recently found this out...the first time my child (12) went for a sleepover at her friend's house the parents told them around 8.30 pm they were 'going to the office' (15/20) mins away.
"Anyway the dad came back 2 hours later his children asked where's mum, 'at the pub' he said.
"The mum in my child’s words 'stumbles in' later slurring saying 'Sorry it's been a s**t night I think I have Covid" she was p**sed up.
"So basically they hadn't entertained the kids at any point just lied they were going to the office at 8.30 at night and f***ed off to get p**sed.
"She had left my child and her friend (12) and their other child (9), keep in mind she has to get babysitters for her kids when they go out.
"I'm p**sed off this is just the final nail on a big f**k off coffin with these people.
"When I have sleepovers I cook, try and plan activities etc if the kids want to but I would never in a million years leave someone's child unattended!! Especially at night time! The kids are only really just 12.
"I've not said anything yet for the kids sake but should I? Apart from this, the woman is honestly unbearable anyway....this incident happened a few months ago before any other incident.
|I didn't know her beforehand as it's a friend my child made when starting secondary school.”
People were divided, with some parents backing the furious mum, but others saying that the children could be left alone for a few hours at that age.
One wrote: "Contact safeguarding at school about her kids and never let yours stay over again.”
Another suggested: "I'd encourage future sleep-overs to be at your house in future regardless, just tell them you really enjoy hosting and they may be grateful.”
One argued: "It's not right, but I don't know why you expect parents to entertain 12-year-olds at a sleepover. At that age, even before that age, I'd expect the kids to just do their own thing in their rooms or whatever.”
"You are being unreasonable to let your child stay with them in the first place”, one harshly wrote.
Another parent wrote: "In my opinion, 12 is an appropriate age for children to be left on their own for a few hours. Granted the doors are locked, they know how to safely use and switch off appliances and know who to contact in case of an emergency.
"However, It was inappropriate of the mother to get p**sed up and return shouting about Covid in front of the children.
"If you’re uncomfortable with the whole setup, don’t allow your child to sleep over there again. Or wait until she’s a couple of years older like 14/15 to sleep there again.”
"You’re obviously very upset about this, so just be thankful your child is now safe in your care. Just don’t allow your child to go there again”, another suggested.