This child will be the death of me

[soymujer]

This morning I went for my morning walk and workout.  I left my 16, almost 17, 14 and 12 year old in charge of the youngest who's 6.  I get home and no one knows where the youngest went.  So, we all start looking for him.  I went and looked in all the closets, all the rooms and under the beds, calling his name and nothing.  The kids went outside to look for him.  Whe I went out there they were just looking, not calling so I told them to call out his name.  I started calling his name.  My 14 year old said "Do you think he went to his friends house."  This friend lives a couple of blocks away, he's not allowed to go without one of his older siblings or an adult.  The friends mom was his pre school teacher and I know she would have called if he showed up by himself.  I grabbed the phone and get ready to get in my car to drive and check if he was there and then call the cops when he walks in.  I asked him where he was and he said our neighbors behind us.  We have never met the people who live there.  I know it's an older lady and we think she may have died as there are other people there.  I told him how worried I was and how important it is for him to tell us where he's at.  He's also grounded from video games and we didn't go swimming today because of his behavior. 

My MIL says he's old enough to go outside and play by himself but I think he's proven that he's not because this is the second time I didn't know where he went.

[Ametrine]

I hope you also grounded your other kids.  They were the ones "responsible" to take care of him while you were gone.

Your 17 (almost) year old especially should be held accountable.

[sillytime]

Wow scary! I would also ground the older kids for not watching him! They are old enough to be more responsible!

[carakitty]

I don't think 6 is old enough to free roam.

I agree with punishing the older kids too.

[steelcrazy]

Sorry, but I would have grounded the older ones for not watching him.  So much for them being responsible.

[kmrtigger]

I agree that the kids left in charge should be held more accountable than the youngest for his actions. He is still learning and testing his boundaries. THEY were supposed to be watching him, but instead they were doing what? Once you find out ground them from that.

[chinosruca]

Quoting steelcrazy:

Sorry, but I would have grounded the older ones for not watching him.  So much for them being responsible.

[KyteBuzz]

Nowadays six is really quite young to be wandering around on his own. I'd be dead worried too. Check out www.kytephone.com This is the perfect solution  for your problem and the end to your worries...and your kid will be so excited and grateful. I use the app for my grandson, although mainly for games and calls for now  - he's ecstatic and all of us - his parents and I have peace of mind. For you it will have an added bonus. And it is FREE!

[sunflowers12]

My youngest ds has don't this in the past too.. after leaving the older kids watching. But you no how that can go sometimes... Glad he is ok:)

[janitablue]

Hugs I know the feeling of not knowing where your child is.......... I am glad that he is ok. Stress the importance of the older kids looking out of their younger sibling.

[barefootmommi]

Yup My sons six he's allowed to play with the little kid across the street but I stand on the porch and watch him knock and then he tells me what they r going to do if they stay out I usually take my 2 ye old n a book to the from porch I had my son when I was 17 and I'm not saying that's an example to follow but a person that age should be responsible not to lose they'r sister

Quoting carakitty:

I don't think 6 is old enough to free roam.

I agree with punishing the older kids too.