I don't know what the law is in the States, but here, in theory at least, it is illegal for a child under 11 to be left alone in a dwelling, it is illegal for a child under 14 to babysit alone for a child under 11 and it is illegal for childminders/creche workers to look after more than 5 (last time I checked) *additional* children (up to a total of 7) over 5yrs or a total of 4 under 5yrs, and none at all if they are being paid but aren't registered with their local council.

Leaving any child alone at a festival depends completely on the trust the parents have in that child. I've known 17 year olds who acted like obnoxious 12's and 15 year olds who've behaved as impecably as any gentleman of 40+ (not including Spaw). I for one wouldn't leave the Bratling alone for more than 20 mins without checking on her, unless she were with someone I trusted and she was happy with. She's actually a very good judge of character and has only ever instantly taken against 2 people, one of whom I know has had problems in the past and the other just freaks me (and a lot of other people) out for no apparent reason. And I haven't coloured her judgement, because she met these two men whilst with someone else, not me.

It depends entirely on the child. If you feel the lad would respond and accept some adult company (being treated like a grown up), then he should be fine with everyone else, although some pub owners get a bit tetchy with children, especially if they are a/ disruptive (adults are allowed to do it but not kids) or b/ taking up space a disruptive, beer swilling adult could use. Failing that, get him a Nintendo with headphones and a limitless supply of batteries.....

LTS