8 too young?

Bronya - posted on 03/14/2012

wrong hunny, very very wrong.

Cori - posted on 02/24/2012

Yes. A child that age does not have the skills to deal with an emergency. Plus, it is probably illegal.

Lori - posted on 02/23/2012

I have an 8yr old also, and being a new single mom, wondered also.i would run to the corner store..leaving him for 20 mins as i gave up my car.I was so nervous, even though in 1980's we were left alone early.Then at 9 pm last week...we had a fire in our apartment complex.He was fantastic as i fumbled for my coat.But it was so scary in its speed, destruction and high emotion.....That nervousness I believe was telling me there are outside variables,beyond our control, that have consequences with possible price too high.So for me, i cant be sure hes safe,or will know what to do, and feel safe should the awfull like fire,break in, or medical situation occur while im 20 min away.People just dont look out for one another like before, and unfortunatly uglyness is common.I hope what ever you decide,that your confortable with it.good luck

Jane - posted on 02/22/2012

Im sorrry but thats way too young!!! what if she got up and fell or an accident happened! you should be ashamed putting the gym before the welfare of your child!!!!!!

Kim - posted on 09/30/2010

I started letting my son stay home for a bit at 9. There are a lot of people we know on our street and my son knows he can go to any of them. I also put my cell phone on speed dial. I would only leave at first to drop my daughter off 5 mins away at the Library for Lunch Bunch, then when he was almost 10 I'd leave him for 30-45 mins but again only if I'm like 10 mins away max! Now he is almost 11 and I will leave him for an hour but again I am 10 mins away. If I have to go further he comes with me. When I was 9 my friend and I used to take the bus into the our city's center, no way would I let my son do that at almost 11. You have to go by your kids. And here in MA they should be 12, but they would allow a 9 yo to be home afterschool, not at night and I'm not sure if 5am would be under 'night time'. Could you get a high school kid to come over for an hour after dinner so you could go? Otherwise maybe invest in a DVD until your child is older.

Tammy - posted on 09/27/2010

Definitely too young! There could be a fire, burglar, etc.....

Lita - posted on 09/27/2010

It depends on the kid. Ask your daughter? My husband and I walk the dog some mornings before the kids (8 & 9) wake up. We plan ahead and tell them the night before so if they wake up they are not surprised. I like the neighbor idea - so an trusted adult knows she is home alone. Good luck it is hard to find time to our selves - Does your gym have a "day care" to go in the evening she can do home work?

Penny - posted on 09/26/2010

My 8 year old became hysterical because I was in the back yard and she didn't know where I was. Eight is too young, kids that young don't reason well and you never know what situation may come up that they would have to deal with.

Amanda - posted on 09/26/2010

Too young...they cant be responsible for themselves fully alone. Plus you would never forgive yourself if something were to happen while you were gone. I would recommend joining a gym that watches your children for you while you work out and attending in the evenings after work or whatever.

Karen - posted on 09/26/2010

This is strictly my opinion, but I ran an ER for years, and I have seen the damage psychos can do to kids. You can not trust anybody these days, someone could break in, hurt, or worse kill your child, and there would be no adult there to protect them. Long story short-NO WAY DON'T DO IT. Besides that check with your local police department to find out what age kids can be left by themselves, it could get you in legal trouble too. Just an FYI. People who want to get in your house badly enough, will, whether you lock your doors and windows or not. Windows break, doors can be kicked in, and it only takes a second. And, 8 yr old has no way of physically fighting off an intruder. Just not a good idea. Like I said, just my opinion,. Too many things could happen while your gone, a break in, a fire, someone hurting or taking your child. Please, be wise about the decision you're about to make, it COULD be the biggest mistake of your life, and you'd NEVER forgive yourself, believe me I know. And by the way, no matter how mature your child is, maturity can not fight off an intruder. Maturity can not fight of a rapist, maturity can not fight off a murderer. Think of it this way, would you leave your car doors unlocked at the mall with the keys in it? Probably not.And that's ur car. Like I said, just my opinion, but I would NEVER leave an 8 yr old home alone. Too many freaks out there. Good luck with your decision.

Jenn - posted on 09/25/2010

I have to agree with Jan. You know how mature your child is. I would first talk to her. Give her some( what if this happen questions) See how she responds to them. There are only 12 states that have set ages. Most CPS or DCS officers will tell you, It all depends on the childs mature level. You know what your child can handle. My 8 year old is alone in the morning for 45 mins. She wakes her self at 730 am get her self dressed, flat irons her hair, eats breakfast brushes her teeth and gathers her bookbag. I walk in the door at 8:00am. She is very self sufficent. I have no worries about her. I put her on the bus at 8:15am. I will say I live in a very rural area. Its in the south and neighbors watch out for neighbors. If you are re thinking what ifs... than just ask a nieghbor that you trust to keep an eye on your home if they are up that eariler...

Tanya - posted on 09/25/2010

Check your local and state laws most states a child must a least be 12 to be left home alone.

Ellen - posted on 09/25/2010

I wouldn't. I always worry about what if's.

Tan - posted on 09/25/2010

I know it all sounds too easy, but sometimes that's when the unthinkable happens. Don't take chances when it come to your child. Think of someone responsible who can come over or consider another time frame for the gym,
I would.

Sylvia - posted on 09/25/2010

I have an 8-year-old. I am find with leaving her alone in the flat for a little while, but I wouldn't leave her while she's asleep -- she's a very heavy sleeper, and if (G-d forbid) there should be a fire or something, I worry that she might sleep through the noise and not get out in time, and/or wake up terrified and not know what to do. Logically, I know the same things could happen when she's awake, but I trust her reasoning and reaction time a lot more when she hasn't just been wakened from a sound sleep :P

I doubt very much that leaving an 8-year-old at home for a little while during the day is illegal in most places, but that is a thing you should look into, just in case. (I'm also, I admit, a little curious as to where gyms exist that are open at 5 in the morning, and why, given a choice, anyone would want to be there that early. But then, I'm not a gym person - I get my exercise by not knowing how to drive :P)

Finally, you need to take into account how your daughter feels about the issue.

Look, it's *extremely unlikely* that anything bad would happen. We all know that. But I think if it were me, I'd wait another year.

Meghan - posted on 09/25/2010

Going for my social work degree, I will agree that 8 is WAY to young. He is not legally allowed to be left alone until the age of 11 and even then it's only allowed to go up to 3 hours. Work out on your lunch break or do some yoga in your living room.

Michelle - posted on 09/25/2010

Check the laws in your state. In my state your child can be 10 years old and be left alone and 12 years old to watch younger children.

http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-ki...

Jaime - posted on 09/25/2010

Yes to young, The other thing is what about you? Something could happen to you at the gym or to and form the Gym. When you have kiddo's there are to many things that could happen and it's NOT worth the risk. Please rethink.

Misti - posted on 09/25/2010

Thats just way too young. Say your child woke up from a bad dream as you were gone. Went in to a panic trying to find you and ran outside. They can't make correct reasonings especially in a panic situation. I have an almost 12 year old and don't even leave him home alone much less my 8 or 6 year olds. Plus the fact that you never know who is watching your home and will notice the time you leave and return home. If you can't take your child with you to the gym then change your time or get a sitter is what I recommend.

Marlene - posted on 09/25/2010

yes!

Steph - posted on 09/24/2010

I would rethink leaving your child alone while sleeping. Now, if you wanted to go later in the day and need to leave the child alone for a 1/2 hour or so that would not be a problem.
Good luck!

Jan - posted on 09/23/2010

I think it just depends on the child. There is no set age. You know your child best and what she is capable of. In Minnesota I think 6 is the age and in Iowa there is not one.... as long as nothing happens. My son started being alone after school at nine. I would not leave him alone while he was sleeping because he was a hard sleeper and would never wake to a fire alarm. and we lived out in the country. But while he was awake for an hour or two was fine. He knew the rules and respected them. He had a cell phone and a trusted neighbor.

Amber - posted on 09/23/2010

I agree 8 is too young for that amount of time and possible distance from your house to the gym. If you were just going over to a neighbors right quick or something it'd be different. The more agreeable age for most to leave their kids at home alone for more than a few minutes is usually around the ages of 11 or 13 for most. Not to mention it is illegal in the majority of states to do so. If you really want to go to a gym, see if you can find a neighbor or family memeber or friend that wouldn't mind coming over and sitting with your child until you get back. Or, you can hit the gym while she's at school. If she goes to daycare after school, there's always the option to go to the gym before you have to pick her up. Most daycares are open until 6pm around my area, and the majority of people get off work around 5pm. If she goes to a babysitter, I'm sure you could work something out with them as well. If you don't work, you could always go while she's at school or take her with you after she gets out.

Sheena - posted on 09/22/2010

way too young i wouldnt take a chance like that besides I think it may not be legal!

Melissa - posted on 09/22/2010

If you question yourself (and this applies to anything) then you will be spending your time thinking of your child and is he/she alright. Find another time in your day to workout (all mom's need their own time - it makes mom happy). If there is a young person (12-18 years old) in your neighborhood, think about having them stop by your house after school. They would love to have a few extra dollars! Mom's happiness is worth it!

Tina - posted on 09/22/2010

If you are in Canada, the law states that no child may be left alone under the age of 12. That is not a provincial law, but a federal law set out under the Citizenship and Immigration laws.

Myetta - posted on 09/22/2010

Check the laws in your area...in my area a child who is 8 can be home alone for 2 hours alone

Sherri - posted on 09/22/2010

Latch-Key Kids.Com
The following table lists legal age restrictions for children left at home alone categorized by state within the U.S. Please note that city and county ordinances within each state may have more definitive and restrictive laws. Call your State DHS or local child welfare agency to learn about age guidelines in your area.
States that you have to be 8 - MD, NC, SC
Age 9 ND
Age 10 Oregon, TN, WA, WI
Age 11 NE
Age 12 CO, DE, KA
Age 14 Illinois

The other states have None or is unknown.

Virginia - posted on 09/22/2010

YES, anything could happen. Look at how many children come missing in their own home. They could also happen to wake up and find you not there and freak out, and who knows what would happen then. Not sure, but think there may even be a law on the age to be left home alone in most states. My 10 year isn't allowed left at home alone.

Candy - posted on 09/22/2010

I think it is to young. What if she has a nightmare and wakes up to an empty house. I think you need to figure something else out.

Tracey - posted on 09/22/2010

i dont think its a good idea. what if the house catches on fire or someone breaks in??

SiewYean - posted on 09/21/2010

It is too young. I personally would not do that. However, you may want to seek the help of neighbor (if you do have a reliable one around). Give the neighbor a set of the door key and let your child knows that she can seek help from the neighbor if needed. Teach your kid all the safety measure at home too.

Donna - posted on 09/21/2010

I dont know. kinda yea. I mean if u doubt yurself then you probably know the answer to that question

Sherri - posted on 09/21/2010

Yes and in most states illegal

Angie - posted on 09/20/2010

I wouldn't do it. If there is an emergency at home she could be badly hurt, or worse. What if, God forbid, there was a fire, would she be able to get herself out? What if someone broke into the house, would she know what to do? What if she had a bad dream and woke up while you were gone. Sorry, that just isn't a chance I'd be willing to take....

Stephanie - posted on 09/20/2010

i agree. 8 is too young. their reasoning skills in an emergency are just not there yet.

Wanda - posted on 09/20/2010

Yes that's too young. The house could catch on fire or be broken into while your child sleeps. Please re-think this.