She's almost 11 and I have gone over all the rules with her and I know I have no doubt she will follow them. But I'm worried someone may say something if they find out she's not at the legal age of 12. The after school "daycare" program is very expensive and there's no one able to pick her up.
2006-09-08 16:56:44 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
test it out for a little at a time. While you run to the store. Or while you go pay a bill. I have a nephew who is 10 and stays home for like 3 hours by himself
2006-09-08 16:59:42 · answer #1 · answered by Sexymccay 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I also have a mature 10 1/2 year old and she stays home alone for 2 1/2 hours until I get home. It depends on your neighborhood. We are nearby school and church and her dad works a few miles away. If you live in a dangerous area, then maybe see if there is a resposible neighbor or a teenager that you know (girls from church are a great resource) that can check in on her. I was babysitting at this age so I tend to think they should be ok as long as they respect and follow the rules. (homework when you get home, no friends, no phone, etc). Try it for a week or two, have someone "check in" or test her if thats available to you, if she cannot follow the rules then you may need to pay for someone to watch her. Only you know what your daughter is capable of handling. No one else should judge you for the choices you make.
2006-09-08 17:19:05 · answer #2 · answered by jediekkin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As her parent its really up to you to decide. Some children at that age are really immature and not ready for it while others are quite capable of doing something like that without any trouble. I suggest you talk it over with her (sounds like you have) and if she feels comfortable with it then I wouldnt think it would be a huge thing. Maybe one idea that you could pose to her is that she is not to answer the phone or the door (pretty sure you have talked about that already) and if you call then have a special deal worked out where you let the phone ring twice then hang up and call back and she can answer and when she is alone that she is always to have the phone handy in case of an emergency. You really wont know until you try it a few times and see what happens. An hour after school isnt a big deal if it was an all day thing then you may want to reconsider it...........trust your gut feel on this and trust her in her answers as to if shes ready to do this or not.
2006-09-08 17:13:50 · answer #3 · answered by wing23ca 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the legal age is 12. I might suggest talking with an officer.
I left my two boys home alone for the weekend, they were 9 & 11 and they were also mature and knew all the rules.
I took the next step and talked with the officers and they made sure they would put our street on patrol, which my two son's knew about this procedure. Good Luck!
2006-09-08 17:03:40 · answer #4 · answered by crystallamp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I was told by children's services when I phoned and asked them was they want them to take a babysitting course first so they have the ability to care for themselves. The problem isn't whether they will follow the rules or not it's what they would do in a dangerous situation. For example an electrical fire breaks out and your daughter is trapped in a room because of it does she know how to protect herself until help can get there. Most kids can tell you what they are suppose to do but when the situation arises they panic and look for a parent to help. Anyway that is what they said to me. Hope it helps.
2006-09-08 17:07:31 · answer #5 · answered by gettingmadtoday 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 11 yr old daughter comes home from school and is alone for an hour or so, she has always been mature for her age. My other daughter will be 10 soon but I dont think I will let her as she is not as responsible.Have your daughter call you as soon as she comes home, I say your daughter will be just fine.
2006-09-08 17:07:19 · answer #6 · answered by whompin4me 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, when I was 13, I was left at home with my 10 year old brother and 3 year old sister. So, I would assume that a 10 year old will be okay by herself. Maybe you could talk to a neighbor about checking in on her, or you could call her on your breaks to make sure everything is alright.
2006-09-08 17:03:28 · answer #7 · answered by Liz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just tell her if there is suppose to be somebody coming to the house, and let them give her a password that only you, her and that other person knows. And teach her when she answers the phone and ppl asks for you, tell her not to say that you are not home, but you are unable to come to the phone, and if you have dependable neighbors let them check up on her and you call every couple mins.
2006-09-09 10:29:47 · answer #8 · answered by baby_luv 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the first answerer. Test her out for a day and have someone in the family check on her. A professor of mine did this and one rule he made for his daughter was that she could not open the door for anyone, family or otherwise.
2006-09-08 17:02:18 · answer #9 · answered by Lov'n IT! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't worry. She sounds very responsible. Wow times have changed. I used to babysit at 11.
2006-09-08 17:02:44 · answer #10 · answered by Fleur de Lis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋