OMG !!!!!!!!!!   that is soooo wrong.what happens if there is a fire or some one breaks in???!!! this annoys me as my hubbys son was taken off him for no reason and she leaves a bub in the house by itself and she still has her child !!!!!!!????? of course you should say something.

if she is off her property for that long with kid still in the house that is just stupid. yes you should say something. but to her before anyone else please give her the chance to correct the issue before involving any government agency. she may not be totally aware of the dangers.

Yes I think it is fine to leave your child for 20mins. I mean what could happen aye!!!!! They be alright when they wake up. As long as you got a drink and some bicky for them to eat. Give them the remote control to turn on the tv plus have the cell phone there in case some nasty person comes knocking on the door. Yeah you tell your friend that she is the best mum and carer the kids could ever ask for. Good  on her for being selfish and caring. Ask her what programme she's been watching and would she be happy if her mum did the same to her.

Even 5 minutes is too long.

Not only is it not okay to do this, i actually think it's against the law! In some states you are not supposed to leave your child until they are able to take care of themselves. A sleeping baby/child cannot take care of itself. I would definately say something to your friend.

'Isn't the best thing to do' is an understatement...  I presume that if the child is young enough to be having a nap that it is a pre-schooler and there is NO WAY a child that young should be left at home alone for any length of time.  Of course you should say something to her, as adults it is up to us to ensure ALL children are protected and looked after; her behaviour is disgraceful & if it continues she should be reported to the authorities.

WOW! 

What if the child wakes up and mummy isn't there? 

What if the child gets sick?

What if there's a fire?

What if someone breaks in?

What if the mother has some sort of accident and can't get back straight away or is unconscious and can't tell anyone that there is a child at home alone?

If it was my friend I would definitely speak up for the sake of the child.

No it isn't right what if something happening like a fire or someone broke in and took the child I would never do it

I would rather be a helicopter parent and hover near my children until they can fly themselves.

We never leave our nest undefended.

Actually this exact scenerio happened to me about 1 1/2 years ago with my cousin.

I heard her talking to her hubby saying, Ïf we go to .... He wont even know  because he will be asleep."I cracked it then and there, it wasn't something I needed to think about or post about for advice. It was just plain WRONG. And thankfully as it turned out I missed the part of the conversation that mention her mum would be there

Wow!!!! What if something (God forbid) to her while she was out??? The baby couldn't call for help. I know life is busy and there never seems to be enough hours in the day as a parent but this just seems WAY too risky for me.

Aren't there laws against this?  Personally I dont think this is ok at all.  Alot can happen in 20 minutes, what if the child was to wake up when she wasn't home?  I would probably speak to her nicely about it stating that if you were her you would be scared and concerned that the child can wake up and alot can happen in 20 minutes.  But you should expect her to get defensive.  Good Luck

What if there was a fire? Or if someone broke into her house? I'd be more concerned for my child's safety than whether or not they were getting into mischief.

I feel guilty when I have to run next door when my daughter is asleep, and I never stay more than five minutes when that happens.

ive know of people that have left there children in the house without a carer and they have come home to the child who is unconcious because the child has taken medication that it had thought was lollies and has ended up in hospital . so there is no reason to leave a child alone it is dangerous.

absolutely unbelieveable just what some people do, no wonder there is 1 child going missing i think it is every 14 minutes in australia, this person should be reported and yes you should say something real loud cheers! di

No, it is never all right to leave a child alone. They rely on us as parents for protection and security. By leaving them alone u are denying them this basic human right.

IT IS NOT OKAY AT ALL!  This is something I feel really strongly about.  My ex said he used to do it with our son and I was horrified.  I said if I was aware that he did it again, I would notify official parties.  Anything could happen to the baby/child.  They might start choking and if you were home you have a greater chance of hearing them and also a greater chance of helping them.  What if there was a fire ie electrical fault with something?  Many have probably been tempted to do it but there's a line and leaving a child alone crosses that line.

Wow! I have two children and could never do this.  My children sleep fairly much anywhere when they are tired, so if I have errands to do they tend to come with me, but we try to do the errands around their sleeps.

I would talk with your friend and mention that you feel this is inappropriate (or other feelings) and depending on your circumstances you could offer to look after the child or do the errands for her (ie if it is that she needs bread and milk then bring it over).

It may also be a call for help and she may need some professional help from a counsellor or something as well as she may not be coping with full time mother hood.

If I was in your position I would have to say something. It is wrong to leave children alone for any reason. While your friend is out anything could happen. Someone could break into her house and take her child. The house could catch on fire. Your friend could be in an accident and not be able to tell anyone she has a child left at home alone. Anything is possible, so I would say something to her and then monitor the situation and if needed I would call DOCS. Not that I like seeing children taken away from parents but sometimes the parents just need a scare to get their act together. I am sure that once you speak to her and explain your concerns use the examples I have given, you never know it just might help her understand the danger of leaving her child alone. I wish you luck and hope that your friend understands your concerns and listens.

I have often thought of ducking up to the shops while my son is napping as he naps for a good 3 hours now during the day. In saying that however never ever have I done it and I never ever would. There are just too many what ifs and things that could happen while you're out. My local shop is seriously at the end of my street . . so maybe a 1 minute walk and even though I've considered it, it's just way too dangerous and I'm only a minute away! Leaving that child for 20 mins or more is just horrible. And the guilt she would feel if anything did happen to her child. Maybe if it was 50 years ago and I had a neighbour to keep an eye on things it would be ok, but in the world we live in today: NO WAY!! As tempting as it is, especially for me knowing I could be there and back in under 5 mins, I still couldn't do it. Instead I wake my child up or plan my shopping around his nap time. For example I needed to buy dinner for tonight so I took him up to the shops with me just before his nap and he went down as soon as he got home. And I can rest in the knowledge that we're all safe :)

What if she was in a car accident while she was gone and the child was left for a lot longer than 20 minutes?  It's not about a child 'not being able to get into mischief' it's about being around to protect the child because they cannot protect themselves.  It makes me feel sick to think of any of my children (9, 3 and 1) in the house without someone responsible around.

not good at all IMO.. terrible in fact

Personally i wouldn't do it myself.. You never know what is going to happen while your gone. I would never ever leave my children unattended even if they are sound asleep. Does this woman not think that this is a form of neglect? Because thats what i think it is. Why not take your child with you after there nap or before and then just do something else while it sleeps instead of leaving the poor child at home alone.

I really do think that you should say something... it is not right for her to do what she is doing and if you don't say anything its like you don't have an issue with it.  I would be concerned for the childs welfare personally but its up to you. Definately should say something about it to her though.

 It's not right.  But it was considered normal a generation ago. I don't  know what you can do about it.  People have different ideas about what is right.

Is she nuts?!!!!!!!!!!!!!! An accident can happen in minutes, she'd never forgive herself if something happened. Parents have committed sucide because of the guilt. I whole heartedly agree with whats been said, if she doesn't listen get the authorities invovled. What happens if her house is broken into while shes gone? Her kid is abducted? It's mind blowing. I won't even go next door to borrow cup of sugar unless my 12yr olds home but I don't leave my other kids with her if I duck to the shop.

 I totally agree with everyone, something needs to be said. If you are a true friend, you need to talk to her and should be able to.... if she continues to do the same talk to authorities. Accidents happen far to quickly.

If it were across the road or something, I would mind my own business but 20 minutes sounds too long. I'd offer to come over and keep watch of him for 20 minutes while she does it.

All i can say if you are a true friend you would deffinately say something that is unbelievable she would have relise that you are only helping and might wake her up you should never leave children home alone there are so many things that can go rong in a short period of time when you have children you have to protect  them it goes hand in hand with being a parent your friend may not like it to begin with but she will come around hopefully. But if you dont say something you have that extra weight on your shoulders and could you live with yourself if something happened to that child .

OMGosh I would sooo say something to someone if she won't stop after you tlak to her.

I know a family that their granddaughter died after climbing out of the crib and trying to use the dresser as a ladder. The dresser fell on her and crushed he to death. There was a babysitter home and she didn't hear her.

Can you imagine if that happend while she was at the store????

OMG, anything could happen while shes gone-the house could burn down, someone could break in, the child could get into some sort of trouble (depending on age).  I don't even go out in my backyard for more than 5 minutes without the baby monitor if my bub is asleep. I have to leave the house to pick up the kids from kindy in about 20 minutes, and I will most certainly be waking my sleeping baby to take her with me!  I too used to have nightmares about leaving my kids home alone, or that I had forgotten them.  This is negletful and dangerous.  I would say something- if not to her, then to the authorities.

OMG something needs to be said or reported, thats unbelievable!

what if someone broke in to the house? or it caught fire? or the child wakes up n vomits n chokes? not meaning to sounds harsh but u should NEVER go out and leave u child home alone! thats just wrong and irresponsible.

I hope u can talk some sence into ur friend b4 somehting goes wrong god forbid.

xoxo

Not too long ago, an electrical fault in the ceiling almost burned my house down. Had it caught, anyone inside the house would had to have been evacuated within about 5 minutes. It can happen to anyone.

My older boy knows how to pick up the baby and leave the house with him, how to get out of the house safely with him, and where to go for help. He also knows how to dial 000, how to phone my bestie in an emergency after calling 000 if necessary, and to not let anyone in the house that he doesn't know well.

If my older boy is home with my baby, I'll sometimes duck out to the shop 5 mins away to get something needed, but I don't let anyone or anything delay me. My boy knows where I am and that he has to stay there and look after the little one until I get back.

There is no way I'd leave my little one alone in the house, napping or not, without someone in the house that at least knows how and when to call emergency services and evacuate all living bodies from the house if necessary.

Maybe ask her what would the child do if a random electrical fault caught the house on fire while she was out. What would the child do if someone broke into the house while she was gone. Add in any other random events that could occur and make her think about what she's doing. It only takes minutes for disaster to strike. Look at the recent Victorian bushfires - people had literally minutes to escape and many didn't make it and were trapped and died. What if something happened to her while she was out? Car accident, random mugging, etc?

Bad idea to leave a child that is still young enough to take naps at home alone like that.

I think something needs to be said. Someone should not be leaving their child at home on their own before they are old enough to look after themselves, as people have said, the what ifs? are simple too much...

It doesnt always have to be your child who did the what if either, things like what if something happened to the house/in the house... I dont think I would ever be able to forgive myself if I knew something happened to my child because I went out to do errands while they are asleep at home on their own.

we are a one car family and in the mornings and arfo i go and pick up my partner cause of work , at most its a 10 minute round trip and i have NEVER and will NEVER leave our baby sleeping alone in the house , the what ifs are simply to much. So yeah say something try and be subtle  give a lie excample if you have to but say something

u

You did not say how old the child was but I am assuming that since he is taking naps that you were not referring to a teenager.  I have had nightmares about forgetting my child home alone.  It is such a horrible thought that it terrifies me.  I think it is okay to take a shower while a young child naps but only if you can still hear everything that is going on.  I have done that and used a baby monitor even when my child is in the next room.  That is totally different than leaving the house.  That is horrible.  There is no guarantee that the child will remain asleep.  What if there is fire, a burglar or the child is choking. 

You should definately say something.  This shows a definate lack in judgement on your friends part.  I am concerned for the child.  It is a hard situation that you are in because you are friends with this person but for the sake of the child do what you can to protect this child. 

God im afriad to leave him alone even when hes awake, even if its just to check the mail, SAY SOMETHING even if you lose a friend ship you know the child is safe, cos like another mum said what would happen if she crashed her car, or even worse something in the house caught fire, no ones gonna know theres a child there.   do it for the child

I would definately say something to her or to her partner if she has one. Its not right to go out and leave a child alone even if it is asleep and the other lady said what if something happened to her or to the child. If she doesnt do anything after you have spoken to her speak to docs or someone about it.

OMG   how bad is that,,  i dont care if it is for 20 mins or an hour,  she should not be doing that, what happens if the little one stops breathing. or someone breaks in??? things can happen in a split second.  you should say something  no doubt about it.  dont stress about she is going to say id be worried about the little one.   Ask her what would happen if she was out and had a car accident  and was out cold (god forbid) how would anyone know her child was at home ALONE??????