At what age?

**alleyyooper** · #1 07/19/11, 02:08 PM

At what age do you think two children should be left alone while mom and dad are at work away from home?

Home is in a semi rual area on a busy black top road. Neighbours also work so there is no one that is really close by just in case.
Since age is the question I won't tell you that. Sex is a girl, the oldest and a boy 3 years younger.

Al

HeelSpur · #2 07/19/11, 02:26 PM

13, but it really depends on the child. Some are more mature than others and know how to handle certain situations. I believe I was 8 or 9 when I was left alone and I was onry.

Honduras Trish · #3 07/19/11, 02:31 PM

Some areas have laws regarding the age at which children can be left alone, and the age at which they can be left to care for younger children. I'm out of touch with the current situation, since I've lived out of the country for many years now, but I think in MD 10 years ago or so the age at which the child could babysit was about 13, and the age for a child to stay alone was a bit younger.

Wags · #4 07/19/11, 02:53 PM

There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages for children home alone, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Georgia, Illiniois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with specific ages specified in their laws.

12 years of age appears to be the most common recommendation. http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchke...age-limits.htm provides a state by state comparison with references.

calliemoonbeam · #5 07/19/11, 03:37 PM

So much depends on the individual child, how mature they are, how they were raised, etc. If they're pretty mature and have been raised to be responsible, I'd say as young as 10 for the oldest one, otherwise 12-13, but with as immature as most kids are these days even that might be too young, lol.

I was left at home as a latchkey kid from the age of 7, in a big city in a bad neighborhood. Let me tell you, that wasn't good, but it did make me very responsible and very strong! My mother just didn't have any choice, had to work two low-paying jobs just to keep a roof over our heads and very little food on the table.

I think they'll actually be safer in the semi-rural situation, as long as the oldest child has been taught how and when to call for help.

mekasmom · #6 07/19/11, 05:09 PM

I would say when the youngest child is 12-13. I don't think an older child at 12 or 13 is mature enough to be in charge of a younger sibling and themselves. If the older child is the one alone, then 13 would be fine, but as far as both of them being alone, then the younger child should be at least 12-13.

MO_cows · #7 07/19/11, 06:03 PM

Depends on the maturity and dependability of the kids. And if the younger one will mind the older one in the absence of parents, too. I can envision a responsible 10 year old staying home alone just fine, but putting a 10 year old in charge of a 7 year old with a "you're not the boss of me" attitude, not so much.

You know your kids. Listen to your gut.

TheMartianChick · #8 07/19/11, 07:46 PM

My mom wouldn't let me stay home until I turned 12. She always said that it was the law and she was a stickler for following the rules. My best friend at the time had been staying at home alone since she was 9.

Just a thought, but some areas offer a babysitting class that teaches useful information about what to do in emergencies. It might be a good idea if your daughter will be expected to babysit.

VERN in IL · #9 07/19/11, 08:00 PM

Most kids today, age 14.... seriously one size does not fit all, it's on a individual level.

Rose · #10 07/19/11, 08:58 PM

I agree with the others, its up to the individual. I was left from the age of about 10. I was more mature though. My brother, on the other hand, wasnt left alone until he was about 15. Lol!

stamphappy · #11 07/20/11, 12:40 AM

I agree with the other posters re: maturity level, ability of youngest to mind the oldest and the oldest not being a 'bully'. I know in Washington State we don't have a legal age limit for children to stay home alone. Here's an idea that may help you:

When my oldest was in 6th grade, 11 or 12 years old, we signed him and his brother up for some classes the school district was offering during the summertime. They were called "Home Alone", "Manners and Etiquette" and a "General First Aid" . The first aid course was not the CPR certificate, just general first aid. These classes helped my children feel more at ease with staying home. Each class supplied them with a notebook of helpful facts and tidbits--things we as parents hadn't thought of because they are just "habit" to us.

After that summer we started letting them stay at home for short increments, say 1/2 hour, and now 2 years later, they stay at home together for about 5 hours at a time and they are very comfortable doing so.

One final question would be---how close in distance is the closest parent while they are at work? 10 minutes? 1/2 hour? An hour? I think that would certainly sway me if I were in your shoes.

**alleyyooper** · #12 07/20/11, 08:33 AM

Not my children. Just some children I know about who's father is planing the home alone thing next week againest advice from friends and family.
The girl picks on the boy pretty bad so many of us feel that is not good. Dad is 20 minutes away.

Now if it were my children they would only be left alone all day when they could hit a man silouite in the body at 25 yards with a 357 magumim.

To many perverts in the world today and to many children in the news coming up missing.

Al

stamphappy · #13 07/20/11, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alleyyooper

Now if it were my children they would only be left alone all day when they could hit a man silouite in the body at 25 yards with a 357 magumim.

Now Al that goes without saying

Jan Doling · #14 07/21/11, 01:48 PM

I let mine stay alone at 11 and 9...but the younger DD was more mature than her sister! I wouldn't have done it if we lived in the city, but it worked okay in the middle of nowhere until the older one tried to rescue her chicken from a snake and was bit. They walked to a neighbors house who took them to the fire station who called the EMTs from another county and I got lectured on being an irresponsible parent. Luckily it was only a garden snake. A neighbor told them, just tell anyone who asks that I am the babysitter and call me if you need an adult and we had no further incidents....other than the older DD was a bully and the younger one learned to run really fast.

mnn2501 · #15 07/21/11, 03:49 PM

I was 7 but thats too young, I'd say 9 or 10 for the youngest.

mama2littleman · #16 07/22/11, 08:55 AM

Totally dependent upon the situation and kid.

DS10 sometimes gets left alone while I have to go to work. Difference is . . . I live inside a national park, all of my neighbors are law enforcement, and I work, literally, 100 yards away from our home.

Anyother circumstance, at least with my kid . . . I would think long and hard.

Nikki

mountainwmn · #17 07/22/11, 09:10 AM

I was 10 when I started getting left to babysit my younger brother and sister. i was mature for my age but thats still way too young. I remember falling down the stairs, scraping my entire back open, bleeding all over, and having no one to help me. I'm sure that is part of why I am who I am but I wouldn't do it to another kid.

Ardie/WI · #18 07/22/11, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alleyyooper

Not my children. Just some children I know about who's father is planing the home alone thing next week againest advice from friends and family.
The girl picks on the boy pretty bad so many of us feel that is not good. Dad is 20 minutes away.

Now if it were my children they would only be left alone all day when they could hit a man silouite in the body at 25 yards with a 357 magumim.

To many perverts in the world today and to many children in the news coming up missing.

Al

IMHO, not a good idea!

wendle · #19 07/22/11, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alleyyooper

Not my children. Just some children I know about who's father is planing the home alone thing next week againest advice from friends and family.
The girl picks on the boy pretty bad so many of us feel that is not good. Dad is 20 minutes away.

Al

If he is depending on the girl to be the sitter, then I would say wait until she is more mature, at least 14. Even then she might not be the best choice for a sitter. Nothing like being home all day stuck with somebody who wants to pick on you. It is a good way to encourage the boy to leave home while dad is gone.

Michael W. Smith · #20 07/22/11, 03:25 PM

As has been said, it all depends on the individual child and how mature they are.

We did our son alone for short periods of time when he was younger - 9 years old or so. He had to keep the door locked and not go outside.

At age 12, he was okay to be alone for the whole day - but again, he was NOT to go outside and to keep the door locked. He also was NOT to answer the phone. (We have an answering machine so he can hear us if we call.)

He is now 13 and is allowed outside - but of course has been told if anyone stops - to make a bee line for the house and door.

If you do let your kids alone, make sure they don't answer the phone (so they don't mistakenly say no one is home with them), and to keep the doors locked!