what age is "old enough" to leave a child alone at home for a couple of hours during the day? Ten? Eleven?

Answer 1

depends on the kid. you know them, think about past performance and general attitude, add a few points for common sense....

Answer 2

There is a California law called kaitylyn's law that states no child under the age of 12 can be left in a car alone for any amount of time. There is not law for leaving a child in a house alone, go figure...I would say that 12 seems to be the age that is acceptable to the authorities. I have an eleven year old, and she has not been left at home alone. I will start her at 12 as well, for short periods at a time until I know that she feels secure enough to stay alone for an hour or two so I can return to work. I have been lucky enough to be at home with her.

Answer 3

Most ten year olds should be able to be left to their own devices. It depends on what you have taught your child and how mature they are. Most kids by that age know what is right and wrong so just talk to your child about the rules and what is acceptable and not and they should be fine. Do a practice run before you try it. Let her know that you're having a dry run and you leave and go around the corner and have a best friend or neighbor drive by and come over. If it's not some one who should be in the house and she opens the door and lets them in, she failed and cannot be left alone. Then while you're outside, call the house to see if she answers. She should be taught to look at the caller id and answer only for your number. NO ONE ELSE's. She should know police and emergency numbers and a nearby neighbor should something happen.

Answer 4

11

Answer 5

11

Answer 6

11

Answer 7

I think that it depends on the child. I will not leave my 12 year old home alone, because he would eat a bunch of junk food, then procede to sneak around into my and my husband's things. Plus he is very mean to his brothers.

But my 9 year old would be fine. By himself, he is very mature and level headed.

My 7 year old is also mature enough, but I wouldn't just in case. I believe that it is against the law at that age, but I am not sure.

Around here, the local daycare will not take a kid after their 13th birthday, so I do not know what I will do when my oldest gets there because he is the one that needs it the most.

Whatever you do, make sure that all emergency numbers are clearly posted and that they know what to do in the case of all possible emergencies.

Answer 8

it depends on the kids maturity.. some ten year olds are more mature then an eleven year old. If you have to leave a child alone but are not sure maybe you can have a neighbor check in on them

Answer 9

I think that would depend on the mental development of the child. How responsible is the child? can you trust him/her to behave? can you count on them to do the right thing? Ask your self these questions 1st. Some kids mature faster then others at a younger age. But as a good rule of thumb i would never leave a child alone under the age of 10.

Answer 10

It depends on the maturity level of the child. I have a 10 year old daughter but there is no way I would leave her home alone. She's too mischievous and behaves like a 4 year old. She wouldn't be safe alone.

Answer 11

I would say that you have a window from about 12 to 13 that may be alright unsupervised. But once they are older they have a whole new set of worries to consider, think about these kids watching whatever they want on TV, bringing home their boy/girlfriends, computer chat rooms. I dont know that it will ever feel right to leave them alone. My kids are all under 8, so I have a few years to let go of some of this...but you have to think of the other dangers beyond burning themself on the stove or basic self care...