My daughter is going on 9. She is very mature for her age but I still dont think she is old enough to be home alone. My husband thinks that she is. Am I being to over protecive? And just to add a little bit more detail, not at night, and only long enought to run to the store, like 10 or 15 minutes or so.
2006-07-22 18:39:19 · 54 answers · asked by Zya 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
You actually need to check with local agencies on this. It's different depending on where you live. If she's not of age where you live, you could be reported for neglect. Call your local DHS office or whatever you have there. You might also be able to find out online. Here, it's age 10 for short periods of time if there's access to the parents (phone, etc). No matter what's said, please check with your local agency so that it doesn't come back and hurt you in the end.
Something you need to remember, most accidents happen within 2 miles of home. I'm sure some will think this morbid, but it's reality. I too have a mature young child, but I can't bring myself to even run down the street and leave her alone. If you're in an accident, who's going to know she's there alone?? Please take everything into consideration before doing this.
2006-07-23 02:07:10 · answer #1 · answered by HEartstrinGs 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First I'd check the laws in your area. In the UK, if a child under sixteen is left alone and is somehow injured or put in danger, the parents can be prosectuted even if they only left the child alone for a short while.
Assuming everything is legal then it's really up to you. Do you feel your daughter is old enough to respond correctly in an emergency or would know what to do if she thought she heard someone trying to break in? Is she old enough to know not to touch dangerous things in the house or go wild just because her parents are there to watch her?
To be honest, I think eight going on nine is a bit young to be left alone even for ten or fifteen minutes. Even the most mature child of that age can revert back into be a very little girl if something were to go wrong and her parents weren't there to care for her. The fact you yourself are not comfortable with the idea also suggests you aren't ready to leave her alone yet and mother does know best!
I don't think you're being over-protective but you just recognise that your daughter is still very young despite her maturity. Perhaps you could use the next year or so to prepare her for the day you do leave her alone by going over emergency procedures and who to call if she can't get hold of you. Then next year, when she is a bit older and ready, you can trial her on being by herself.
2006-07-23 09:40:51 · answer #2 · answered by starchilde5 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on the child, but I think 9 is still a bit young. My oldest child is 12 now, and we did not leave him alone until he was 10 1/2 or so. I have an 8 year old who is almost 9, and I can't imagine her even being close to ready to stay home alone. They need to be able to remain level-headed in case of an emergency, and not get scared to be left alone, which can be traumatizing. Most states recommend that a child be 11 or 12 before being left home alone, again depending on the child and his or her level of maturity. If there is any doubt AT ALL, I say wait until you are sure - it's not worth chancing it!
2006-07-22 18:46:09 · answer #3 · answered by Tara H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the age of 9 is a little bit young. but u might want to leave her alone when u go get the mail or something that is just down the street. tell her the rules: dont answer the door, the phone. explain her the safety she needs to know. once she can handle that responsibility. then u can leave her alone for a while. it just take practices and time for her to learn. if u want to run to the store real quick then u can. just be sure she understand the rules. u can test her if u want. like if u are going to the mail treat it as u are leaving her alone and have the neighbor next door call ur house and see if she will answer the phone. or what ever.
2006-07-28 15:00:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter is 10 and I think you are fine for short periods of time like a trip to the store. That's my daughter though. When my son is 10 I have a hard time imagining that I will ever be able to leave him alone at home. I want the house to still be there. When I was 10 though I was staying home alone and babysitting my 3 younger siblings. That was the 70's though and I lived in a rural place. We didn't lock our doors back then..LOL!
2006-07-26 09:12:52 · answer #5 · answered by Kewl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
15
2006-07-23 00:07:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
10-12
2006-07-23 13:51:02 · answer #7 · answered by evian 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say 12, but if the store is just a block away then maybe. I have
a nine year old and I only did that one time. Although I didn't like
it, but she did okay. I went down the street to Walgreen and back.
other wise I would say no don't leave her. Start a 12 or 13, and don't stay out no longer then 1-2 hours. I too am over protective.
2006-07-22 18:59:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well before you decide if she is old enough first find out if their is a state law on an age limit you can leave your child. Some do some states don't. Then you can decide. I feel more comfortable about 12-13 even though my kids are very mature for their age.
2006-07-28 05:56:20 · answer #9 · answered by kay2006 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i was like 6 or 7, then again, it was in the 70s and up north in the country. my kids are 9 5 and 4 and i leave the 9 yr old alone for sometimes an hour at the most. but make sure the door is locked, and she is to answer it for NO BODY!!!!!!!! be sure to stress the importance of strangers even in 2 minutes. it will give her such a sense of independence.
2006-07-23 14:18:14 · answer #10 · answered by bam_32473 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋