How old can children be to be left alone at home without those stupid children services invade the house?

Question

Hi.I'm Mandy and I'm 17.You took the point about leaving kids alone at home in some other questions as I can see.So I'm asking how old has to be one child to be left alone at home without children services to come?Because(I'm 17) I am alone at home now but I don't know have I the right to spend some time alone without my mother babysitting me?

Answer 1

In Connecticut, 12, but should anything happen to the children, services step in. at 17 you're perfectly fine.

Answer 2

At 17, you shouldn't need a babysitter. But you shouldn't be left alone for more than 24 hours. I would never leave my 15 years old for more than 4-5 hours at the longest. And, if I go out of town for the day, I take her with me or drop her by a friend's.

In most states, by the age of 12 is okay, aslong as they have the maturity to care for themselves for an hour or two.

By 17, you are only a year away from adulthood. No longer a minor. You should be able to take care of yourself, take care of the houldhold chores (without being told), wash your own clothing, cook meals for yourself (basic meals) and watch your younger siblings if you have any.

By 21, you should be fully self-sustaining and capable of living on your own.

By the way, you shouldn't tell everyone that your home alone, it is highly dangerous. If someone was to call, and ask for your Mom or Dad, and you tell them they aren't home, that caller could be just outside your home. They could break in and do something awful! Instead, tell them that they are unavailable right now, (taking a shower or something) and they will call them back as soon as they are available.

So, when you are home alone, think about your safety first. Keep all doors locked and windows too. Keep the drapes drawn closed, keep a TV or radio on. Don't open the door, speak through it. Keep the numbers of where your parents or other trusted family or friends close by. And, have a trusted neighbor close by, in case you need to leave your home and RUN to the neighbor's home.

If you are real concerned about being home alone, talk to your parents about it. Maybe you and them can come to a decision. Like going to one of your friend's homes while your parents are out.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

It depends on what state you are in. In Calif there is a law (PC 273a) that deals w/ 'endangering' a minor. It starts off pretty reasonably, you are guilty of violating this code if you kill a child, or cause or permit harm to come to a child. But....once you get way down into it.... it also says ... "or willfully causes or permits that child to beplaced in a situation where his or her person or health may be endangered, is guilty of a misdemeanor."

So, if a parent lets a 17 yo drive a car alone, they could be car jacked.... GUILTY. Walk to school alone, they could be kidnapped.... GUILTY! I'm sure you get the picture.

I let my 11 yr old daughter walk 2 blocks to her grandfather's house, so he could babysit her while I went to work.... GUILTY!!!!! We live in one of the safest cities in the country (acording to statistics)
My children were taken away (even tho I took the younger ones to the regular babysitter, children's services went & got them w/out a car seat. But, it's OK for them to do it!) Why?? Because I'd made a complaint about a couple of cops beating up a black guy. They told me they'd just have to give me something else to occupy my time. They took my children away 2 weeks later.

So, whether they enforce the law depends on what reason they have to want to go after you.

Answer 4

Lol, yea you are legally allowed to stay home alone but it isn't the child services who make the rules, if your mommy isn't willing to let you be alone then you kind of have to deal. Also anything you do wrong like substance abuse or underage consumption could come back onto your parent so she may just be trying to cover her butt if you know what i mean. Sorry if you don't get alone time but just think 18 is around the corner then she can't really say your not allowed to be alone and child services def cannot step in, but you also have to remeber that when you turn 18 everything you do now falls unto u not your parents

Answer 5

It depends on your state.... some states allow children as young as 8 to stay alone, while others say it is 12. It also depends on the number of hours the child will be alone. Some states, no more than 2 hours, while others allow as much as 6. At 17, you should definitely be allowed to stay at home alone, granted there are no physical concerns (epilepsy or Mental Retardation) that would neccessitate a caregiver.

Answer 6

In most states, the law is if your under the age of 12 or 13, you have to have an adult in the house, otherwise it is neglect.

Since you are 17, you really have nothing whatsoever to worry about.
You are more than old enough to take care of yourself and old enough to even care for younger sibling without any types of problems.

Relax, enjoy your time alone!

Answer 7

In California, you can legally babysit at 12 years old. Personally, I was watching my siblings since I was 10, but unless something happens that causes someone to call child services, they won't do anything.

Answer 8

States may or may not have their own laws but most people aren't aware of them anyway. I think most parents use their own guidelines, I know I did and I've never had a problem. At 17 you are plenty old enough to babysit, you do not *need* a babysitter!

Found these thinks:
http://www.nccic.org/poptopics/homealone.html
http://www.psparents.net/Home%20Alone.htm
http://members.fortunecity.com/daycareexpress/daycareexpress/id12.html
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?issue_id=2000-09&article_id=134

Answer 9

i say 16 long as they are resalable. i would make shore they know how to cook for them self without burning the house down. also what to do when there and emergence. how to call for what. also not to open the door for no one but family so much mean stuff going on in the world to day. also i would probably let and friend stay with them so there not lonely.

Answer 10

12-13 but preferably not all day