How old should your child be befoe they are allowed to stay at home alone? Legally? Real world?

Samantha - posted on 05/14/2009

Child Welfare Information Gateway at 800-394-3366



I agree that under 10 is too young.

Cheryl - posted on 05/14/2009

There may be no mimimum age posted on that website, but child protective services will tell you a different story if you call them. If something happens to your child under 10 and they are alone, most states will charge you as the parent. And even 10 year olds should never be given the responsibility to watch younger children.

Samantha - posted on 05/13/2009

Here is a listing by state:



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

Samantha - posted on 05/13/2009

Here is a listing by state:



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

Sureda - posted on 05/13/2009

GIRL PLEASE....REAL WORLD IF THE CHILD SEEMS MATURE IN THE MIND GIVE THEM A TRIAL BASIS. TELL THEM UR GOING TO THE STORE BUT ACTUAL GO AROUND THE CORNER AND SNEAK BACK UP ON THEM ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES LATER. ME MYSELF I USE TO LEAVE CAMERAS AROUND THE HOUSE AND THEN SIT THEM DOWN AND HAVE OPEN DISCUSSIONS OF WHAT THEY THINK THEY DID WRONG. AS FAR AS COOKING I WOULD BY BOXED FOOD THAT GOES IN THE MICROWAVE THAT WAS EASY TO FIX AND LOTS OF SNACKS, AND LEFTOVERS WAS A GOOD THING ALSO. MY OLDEST WAS 11 AND HIS BROTHER WAS 8 YRS OLD WHEN I STARTED.

Darlene - posted on 05/07/2009

My youngest daughter has been staying home since she was 9 1/2. It was only for a few hours in the morning that summer. She has always been very low key and could entertain herself. She knew the rules.... don't answer the door or the phone (unless it is me or her older sister) and if there is a fire don't spend time looking for the cats.. just get out! She knew when to call 911 and thankfully has never had to. Now she is 13 and often comes home after school to an empty house and is home most of the evening much of the time. I usually don't allow any friends over but have made an exception to that rule a time or two lately. I just feel that typically no matter how level headed a kid may be alone when there is more than one they tend to plot trouble!

Cheryl - posted on 05/06/2009

It depends on your state or province, the time of day, the amount of time they would be left alone, the condition of the property, the location of hazards, accessibility to emergency help, the maturity of the child.

Julie - posted on 05/06/2009

Hi

where do you live?

In Ontario Canada you have to be 12 years old and I called, the police, the child servicess and ask my family doctor about it. They all told me that legaly it's 12 years old but it all depend on the child, some kids can be 16 but can not be left alone or the kid could be 10 a would be the best. So look for the lwa in your area and then ask yourself if the child and you would feel comfortable in this situation. My son is 12 years old and the only thing that was stoping him to stay home alone was that he was afraid, we talke about what he was afraid of and now he stay home over night (occasionally). I hope this was helpfull:O)

Amanda - posted on 04/26/2009

i was about 12 or 13 when i started staying home alone because i was babysitting other peoples kids by that time anyway if i could handle two kids under two at 12 could handle myself. just make sure they know how to call 911 in an emergency to keep the doors locked and that you trust them not to have a bunch of friends over! (i was always aloud one or two certain freinds over.)

Angela - posted on 04/24/2009

from cps



there is no Texas law that defines a specific age at which a child may be left home alone, there are several factors that should be taken into consideration when deciding how closely to supervise a child, including:



the age, emotional maturity and capability of the child;

layout and safety of the home, play area, or other setting;

neighborhood circumstances, hazards, and risks;

the child's ability to respond to illness, fire, weather, or other types of emergencies; and

whether the child has a mental, physical, or medical disability.