how old do you think a child should be before you leave them home alone?

Question

mine is 10, I don't leave him home alone yet, but im just wondering if it would be ok for like an hour or so. I have a new job and cant find a sitter for after school.. he is mature for his age and an only child, so no brothers or sisters to help him get in trouble

Answer 1

16!!!!!!!!!

believe it or not!!!!!!!!! in most States, and in the law books...it says 16 years....yes, I was just as surprised as you!!

Answer 2

Like many others have said, I think a lot has to do with maturity. But other factors should be weighed as well:

Where do you live? Is there a higher crime rate or do you feel relatively safe in your neighborhood?

Is there someone on your block/street or in your neighborhood that would be willing to help should a situation arise? It's always good to have a back-up plan.

How long will he be alone? Do you have a contingency plan in case you are late from work or something comes up?

If you decide this is the right path to take, then go for it. But only after discussing responsibilities, proper emergency actions (and even rehearsing with him), and setting up a contact phone tree for him. My son is 11 and I would trust him to stay at home alone after school because we have covered all the items listed above. Best of luck in your new job and with your new family arrangements!

Answer 3

I think it depends on the situation and circumstances. For example I was 10 when I was left home alone for an hour at a time. We lived on a farm where there would only be about 5 or 6 cars drive by a day. We were close to our next-door neighbors and I was very knowledgeable about locking doors and all of that.

I live on a military base now. I would let my son stay home alone at 10 because I know there are no molesters or serial killers living next door. We have a close knit community and we all look out for one another. There are also guards all over the place that have M16s that are loaded. I know we are in a safe place.

If I lived in say NYC or even a town where there was no protection and/or close friends nearby I would not allow my son/daughter to stay home alone until they were twelve or possible older.

There are a lot of factors--how long with the child be alone? What kind of community does the family live in? The maturity of the child..and so on.

Answer 4

A 10 year old child no matrer how mature for his age is NOT mature enough to handle emergencies that may come up and its also to young legally-if some neighbor reports or something happens (accident) and the authorities get involved then you will be in a legal quandry not just with police but the authorities because of the age will automatically contact DFCS something you really do not want. Ask your neighbors if he can go to one of them from school until you get home. Also a lot of schools have afterschool programs-you can check into that, The Ymca/Ywca all have after school programs-I believe the child gets picked up from school and then you pick up fom the Y-well worth checking into but I'd check school,the neighbors first then Y. Also all DayCares take in schoolchildren -that is another option for you, for you are taking a big risk if you leave him alone-DFCS involvement is like having a a very big Magnifying Glass on your Life and all and everything is intensely scrutinized. Wish you luck

Answer 5

12

Answer 6

12

Answer 7

A mature 10 year old can probably handle staying home alone while you run to the grocery store, but I don't think everyday would be a good idea. i would wait another year or so. Is there a neighborhood older child who could stop by after school and get homework started or something til you get off work?

Answer 8

10 is fine as long as it's only for a couple of hours. Doesn't
his school have a after school program? I have a 9 yr. old
girl and she too is mature and if I have to go to the Pharmacy
or Store, which is only a block and a half away, she will stay
at home by herself if she doesn't feel like going. But if I am going
cross town then she is to go with me, with no buts. My eldest
daughter lives across town and her brother (17) is always with
his friends. So it's really just her and I at home. At the age 12
you can extend the hours and age 16 well you can live him
by himself, until you get home from work, but by that time
he's not going to be home, but yet with his Friends.

Answer 9

Why don't you form a parents' group where one of them will keep the child for short periods when other parents are busy? This arrangement works where the parents are from the same social strata and wont be anxious about value systems etc.

I don't advise leaving children alone at home even at thirteen or fourteen of age.They are not mature enough to evaluate a situation and respond accordingly in a safe manner.

Answer 10

Legally, in most states, 12 is the age that they can be left alone at home during the day time. I think it depends on the situation. If you live in a safe neighborhood, if the child is mature and healthy both physically and mentally and if neighbors are home and how long you intend to leave him there. A child can choke to death in four minutes.

Answer 11

Well, leaving him alone for about an hour would be okay at first and you should contact him about every 15 to 20 minutes checking in for the first few times alone. make sure you stress the rules! Ex. dont open the door or look at who it is when the doorbell rings/ dont answer the phone unless you have caller ID and it is you calling. Also when you leave make sure there is a cloes neighbor that he can contact incase of an emergency.