At 9 I was picking my 6 yo sister up from school and together we'd go down 2 blocks to pick up our 3yo sister from day care. Then we'd all walk home and I'd look after my sisters until mum got home. Except when I stayed at school to play with friends and forgot my sisters and mum got panicked phone calls from all over!!

Would I leave my kids home alone at that age - not a chance!