When to Leave Your Child Home Alone.

I'm a single mom and there were many times I let my son stay home by himself. Granted, the neighbors across the street and around the corner were right there if he needed anything. He knew never to answer the door or the phone (unless he could see it was me or a couple of designated people on caller I.D.)
There were times I had to work a little late or pick up paperwork from a client on my way home.
My son was very responsible and followed my rules and instructions to the letter. He did fine.
I think it depends on the child and whether or not they can handle being home responsibly. It also helped knowing I had people close by that my son could call or go to if he needed anything.
I was at work one day and my boss stopped by my house, but my son wouldn't answer the door for him. Even though my son knew him very well, I had said, "Don't answer the door unless it's_______".
He followed the rule. I knew after that I could really trust him.

He did fine at home by himself.
I don't want to make it sound like he was here alone all the time, but when school had short days or my friend who watched him was taking her kid somewhere and my son didn't want to go, he did just fine.
My parents left my little sister and I home if they had an appointment for something and we had rules and followed them.
My 10 year old was great about being home by himself. He never gave me any reason not to trust him and no one ever bothered him. House locked, don't answer the door or phone....here are the emergency numbers....

It was fine.

It depends on the kids, some are fine to leave home alone. I wouldnt leave mine alone without letting the neighbor mom know, just in case there was a fire, but I trusted my kids not to do anything wrong and not to open the door.

There is a class offered by the Red Cross to train kids to be babysitters. It is for kids age 12. My thoughts are that if a kid can legally babysit someone else at 12 they need to be able to watch themselves first.

I think if you live in a safe neighborhood and have a good support system in place then you should be able to start home alone training. It starts with leaving for a few minutes to go to a neighbors and letting them stay home, then just a quick trip to the nearby store. If the support system is in place the child should be able to go to their house if they have a problem. Also if they need help. They need to be able to use the microwave to cook simple snacks like popcorn or cheese tortillas. They need to understand how to use the phone to call 9-1-1 or the support system persons. Or even you on your cell. The need to eventually stay at home for a couple of hours but it takes time and the proper training.

It is not an overnight accomplishment. Just start small with cooking lessons and phone etiquette, not answering the door, etc....

Wow yeah I think 10 is way too young. My oldest is 10 and no where near ready to be home alone! You should check the laws in your state as I think each state is different.

I called our local police department some years ago and they said there is no law but that it depends on the child. Does the child know what to do when: 1) then phone rings 2) the doorbell rings 3) what to do in case of fire 4) what to do in case of emergency, like youngest one is choking, etc. My girls are 10 and 13 and I leave them alone for about 30 -60 minutes while grocery shopping or taking a walk but they know how to dial my cell phone and I can be home in less than 5 minutes. Finally, my 13 year old likes having time to herself and does not mind if I leave her alone, the 10 year old does NOT like to the in the house without an adult for more than about an hour. I think it very much depends on the child, but at 9 and 7 you could test the waters by perhaps leaving them for about half an hour and staying local to see how they feel. Also make sure whenever your leave that they have a back-up plan: they can call a neighbor or an uncle and if all else fails they know how to call 911.

When a child understands right and wrong, how to listen and follow instructions, understands what to do in an emergency situation and is verbally capable with a sense of maturity...thats when the right time is.

Times have since we were kids; my parent left us at home when I was 6 and my oldest sister was 8. My mother was a single parent without a good support system (she escaped an abusive marriage). Luckily, she got a job with the police department unfortunately she worked night shift, but she made certain to go over rules with us, she would call and check on us with a ring system in place, amongst numerous other rules. We were okay; never a problem. (This only lasted 2 years then she remarried to a wonderful man.)

With our children we didn't leave our oldest home alone until she was 10 1/2. Oddly, she wanted the time alone. We'd do little errands like running to walmart and upon returning home she was always sitting down reading, making crafts, or practicing on the piano.

In the end every child is different and it depends on the maturity level of the child that has the ability to listen, obey rules and has good follow through. On the other hand, sometimes situations arise that are beyond control and who are we to judge what is right or wrong. All we can do is our best and provide support to those that need it.

Depends some states have laws that state the minimum age.

it really depends on the maturity of the child, I think.

I wouldn't be comfortable with that. 12 is the better age.

my son is 8 and we live in a small town. i have left him alone since he was 7 but only for short periods of time. he knows the rules and i do lock him in the house when i do leave. he isn't allow to answer the phone but can use the phone to call me on my cell phone. he has my cell # written down in a secret place. so that is something that only you can decide!!

I agree with the maturity issue. It's certainly not ideal, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Although I know times have changed, I was home alone by myself well before that age. My brother was supposed to be watching me, but he was 5 years older and usually just went out to play with his friends. It doesn't make it right, but my point is, she'll probably be okay. If you think that she can use the phone appropriately and knows her neighbors (at least one) to contact in an emergency and isn't prone to destruction, I don't think it's a huge issue, but it is kind of sad.

I was babysitting family at 10, and neighbors at 11. I just started leaving my 8yo home alone for short periods of time. I can even (yay!) lay down on the couch and take a nap when I have a migraine while he's home with me... and those aren't short... but 2-3 hours

I think it really depends on the child and the situation. I know teenagers who are incapable of being by themselves, and I know very responsible elementary kids. My own could handle being on his own just fine, I just have neither need nor want to do so.

I did not leave them home alone until they were at least 12 and that was very short trips. I don't feel comfortable under 12. My older ones are 15 and soon to be 14, they now watch the 6 and 9 year old if we go to dinner. I still think 10 is way too young, but that is just me. I would worry the whole time i was out. (my older ones took the babysitting course.... that makes me feel a little better)

it totally depends on the maturity level of the children. my own children are 11 and 8 and they are home alone for about 1.5 hours before i get home, and were alone last summer. The summer before that, my nephew came to visit for the summer and he was 11, and we didn't feel as if he was ready to be left home alone.

Here is a link:
http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-kids-age-limits.htm

See the laws in your State.

If that were my kids ages, I would not.
My eldest is mature... but still. I would not.
They still do not have the mindfulness nor maturity... to problem solve everything... nor emergencies.

I know my daughter's friend, who is 9.... and has a sister in middle school... are home by themselves after school. They even go to school and come home via the public bus. But the neighbors there, are real close. They all keep an eye on each other. It is a fairly, 'safe' neighborhood.

But no, if that were me, I would not.

In Arkansas it is state law that no child under the age of 10 can be left at home alone and no child under the age of 12 can be at home with younger children and no adult present. There might be differing laws in different state(or no laws at all). 10 doesn't' seem too young as long as they know what to do(how to get a hold of parents or emergency contacts) as long as it's not too long. I wouldn't be gone all day and leave my 10 year old at home, but I don't think I'd have a problem if I had to run to the store really quick and was back in under an hour.
I think it depends on the kid- how responsible they are, and the parents and what they feel comfortable with.
~C.

In Minnesota, there are no concrete rules. Every county develops their own guidelines. But they are just that -- Guidelines not laws. My son will be 10 soon and we are thinking at 11 he could be responsible for himself for a few hours at a time. But our county says not only can an 11 yr old stay alone but they can be responsible for younger siblings for a few hours. And I have met 11 yr olds that CAN handle this...We will wait and see if our son will be ready for this at 11.

Short answer -- In their county, they may very well be within guidelines letting a 10 yr old be home alone after school. If CPS is contacted, they can investigate and decide that the child does not assess as mature enough to be alone....But they could just as easily meet the child and decide they are mature enough to handle what might arise between 4:00-6:00.

Hi! I think it depends on the situation & on the child. My oldest son was 9yrs in 4th grade, & he used to go home afterschool while I worked. He would call me everyday as soon as he got home from school, & he would stay inside until I got home. We lived in a pretty decent neighborhood, & we knew our neighbors.

However, this might not work out with all children. All children & situations are different.

Do her parents work? What is the situation? I hope this works out because it sounds like your niece has other family issues that are going on. Good luck!

Call me crazy, but I think it really depends on the kid. I was home alone after school starting at 9 years old. My son will probably not be left home alone this early, but thats what I mean by it depends on the kid. I think he would be safe, but I also think he would be scared.

To each is own. I do not know your kids or your niece, so I can not pass judgment.

For us, so far it has been around the ages of 11/12....for quick trips to the grocery store or to run and get take-out food...for longer periods of time, like for hubby and I to go to a movie it has been more around 13/14.

Every child is different. I was mature enough to be left alone with my sister when we were 9 and 7.

It really depends on the child. If he/she is mature, I don't see anything wrong with it as long as it's not excessively long periods of time. I stayed home but I was very mature. I know some kids who are 14 & wouldn't trust them home alone! If you really feel it's a problem, offer to care for while they're out.

If she's mature maybe, but not a good neighborhood I mean common sense, no unless you give her mace at home :P. Bad neighborhoods means crime, robberies, etc. Not many 10 year olds survive a break in home alone unless they run out of the house or hide in a really good place... Bad problems between the parents? Do they neglect her being absorbed in their own problems or do they just argue a lot? Is there a way you can have her go to your house after school? I'd hate for anything to happen to her. A mature child is one thing but a bad neighborhood is another... if there is a bad person who catches the situation of her, they will pounce :(

Totally depends on the child.. I was home alone at 8..

Our daughter was comfortable for me to go to the grocery store and she stayed home alone..

But I know kids that are 12 and 13 and should never be left alone.. they just do not have any sense..