What is the minimum age you can begin leaving a child without a babysitter?

Question

Presuming you have talked, taught and prepared them well in advance, what are the laws governing latch-key kids?

Answer 1

I'm sure you've done a great job at teaching your child the basics of home independence, the only thing left at stake is trust.

you should know your child in depth to have the conscinence to say they would be okay on their own. my parents made me a latchkey kid at age 10 and i could simply microwave my own meals or cook on a low heat stove, and the rest was pretty much covered by TV and homework. just make sure you tell them when you'll be back and what number to call. don't check up on them too much otherwise they'll get the hint that you don't trust them,

but it's okay to check up every once in a while, we al feel worried. just remember to prepare everything FOR them in advance, food, emergency equipment, and activieties....ect so you know that they'll have something to do when they're home. most of the time however, they'll just watch TV or play games, so you won't have to worry about any mischief or accidents too much.

good luck and peace!

Answer 2

12 or 13

Answer 3

Between the ages of 11-13

Answer 4

13

Answer 5

I think it's different in different States. As you said, you have to keep in mind things like how long the kid is alone, how well prepared he or she is, whether there are younger siblings at home at the time, what the neighborhood is like, and how easily they can reach you or a relative if need be. In NY, there is no set age, it is up to the parents' judgment within reason; as a mom of five, I agree that 11 is a good age generally. (My kids are now ages 22, 21, 18, 15 and 12.)

Answer 6

I believe for latch key kids it is 14. However, I think most parents leave their kids alone from 11 to 12 on.

Answer 7

i would really consider the time and for how long your gonna leave them alone for. in the area that i grew up in drugs are a big issue and i know of 12 and 13 year olds that are getting drunk, smoking cigarettes and drugs, and possibly even worse, herion, crack, and things like that. so if i were to go out at night i would definetly get a sitter. but if i was going to he store at 4 in the afternoon and was only gonna be gone for an hour then i would leave a 12 year old home alone.

so its up to you. just know your neighbors. look at what day and time it is that your leaving the kid(s) home alone. who they hang out with, will there be friends in the house. and talk to them about the dangers of drinking, sex, and drugs before you leave AND when you get back. each and every time you leave.
hope all goes well.

Answer 8

14 days... the snowstorm of 2009. basically left the homestead to take advantage of the cows / goats interior the barn and feed something of the animals... plowed the a million.seventy 5 miles down our driveway, however the county plows did no longer get out to our section for 2 weeks. So we spent ninety% of those 2 weeks interior the homestead... thank goodness we shop an entire pantry, have multiple firewood / propane, and have a heavy-duty generator !! We have been out of ability for 12 of those 14 days as properly.

Answer 9

I believe the law states they have to be 14 or with someone at least 14 to be home alone.

Of course..I was latch key kid at 12..... ahhh...back when MTV really was all video's.....haha

Answer 10

wow be very careful for every state is different. in Georgia the kids can be 12 years old. but if you feel that you re child will not open or answer the door don't answer the phone. this is like very touchy. i think that you should call you re local child welfare. just call don't say who you are. just ask them, for you don't want a noisy neighbor to call the law on you