Home alone at 10

Ashley - posted on 07/15/2012

Well the red cross offers babysitting courses for 11 yr olds. So staying home alone at 10 is not a big deal. I was in charge of babysitting my brother who is two yrs younger than me everyday in the summer at age of 9ish. As long as she knows the rules of the house, and if you believe you can trust her than I would do it. It also depends if she feels comfy being home alone for that long. Give a few test runs, like you go shopping or something and see how she handles it and make mock situations and see how she handles it. My father did that to me and my brother ever since I can remember and thats when they realized I could handle being home alone.

Christine - posted on 07/15/2012

Hey everyone I just wanted to share...I teach these amazing classes by kidproof north Phoenix. my favorites to teach are At Home Alone and our babysitting courses. If you have kidproof in your area I really suggest looking in to what they can offer you. I know as a mom I have loved sharing these things to help my daughters be proactive and not fearful. You as a parent must decided with your child when they are able to stay home alone especially for a long period of time but there are many factors that go in to that. Good luck and check it out www.kidproofusa.com (very new to USA started in Canada).
We teach that there is usually no legal age and it depends on maturity, other responsibilities, and experience. :)

Jodi - posted on 07/15/2012

LOL Dove, I always find it amusing when people who don't have children that age or older seem to have this view of the big bad world and how they are going to wrap their kids in cotton wool. Good luck to them. But just keep an open mind and stop watching the TV sometimes.

Jan - posted on 07/15/2012

My son is almost 10 and we are just starting to get him used to being home alone. There is one day I work and he doesn't want to go to the daycare so what I do is drop him off at my MIl's house when I go to work at 9:00 he stays there for a few hours and she feeds him lunch then he goes down to the public swimming pool and swims until 3:00 and walks home from there. Dad is home at 3:30 -4:00ish so even though he is not being directly supervised after noon he is also not home alone for very long either and while he is at home the rules are he keeps the doors locked and the alarm on stay and if he wants to go anywhere else he needs to call or text me for permission.
Are there any recreation programs she could attend in your neighborhood? Then she could check in with you before she leaves the house and wore she leaves the program and isn't stuck at home all day.

Jenni - posted on 07/15/2012

I still remember when my mom started leaving me home alone while she went grocery shopping when I was 10. I didn't really want to go so she said I could stay home. She took longer than I expected and I was really freaked out! I thought something bad had happened to her and I started worrying. She was fine of course. ;)



But yeah, that was only for an hour or two. I went to the store with her after that for awhile. I think around 10-12 a few hours is fine (depending on the maturity of your child) But all day?! No, she's definitely too young. Find an emergency sitter or find one of her friends she can stay with.

Dove - posted on 07/15/2012

Thank you for that Jodi. I meant to respond, but wasn't even sure I could decipher the message enough to do so. I know what world 'I' live in and I have 99.9% no fear of my child being in danger from another person while she is at home. I'm just not comfortable leaving her home alone because I used to be home alone for HOURS as a child (starting at 9) and I hated it. I've actually never left her for more than about 30 minutes to run to the store for a quick couple of items. ;)

Jodi - posted on 07/14/2012

"U no d world we live in a terrible place so re people in it. "



Oh, for goodness sake, the world we live in is no less safe than it was 20 years ago. It's 24/7 news and media that is the problem, not 24/7 supervision of a 10 year old child. That's right, our world is more PARANOID now that 20 years ago because the media has made it that way.



Having said that, I do agree that 10 is too young to be left alone for that long, but I don't see a problem with it for an hour or so, depending on her maturity levels :) Another couple of years, and she'll probably be better prepared to be on her own for longer.

Alas - posted on 07/14/2012

Pls don't leave her alone 4 even an hour. I truely do nt think it's wise. U no d world we live in a terrible place so re people in it. She is a baby girl n needs eyes on 24/7

Jane - posted on 07/13/2012

Thanks for your help, not gonna leave her xxx

Dove - posted on 07/13/2012

Legally it depends on where you are... Some states don't have a specific age on this. Others have an age limit ranging from 8 to 14 years.

Speaking as a mother of a 10 year old though (and a state with no specific age law).... I wouldn't do it. For an hour or so, I don't have a problem leaving her at home, but for most of the day? It wouldn't happen.

Amy - posted on 07/13/2012

You would have to check the laws where you live. Maybe set up a play date with a classmate for the day.