He wants some time alone?

Question

My 8-year-old son doesn't like when we look after him all the time.He wants to have some time alone at home.He has some friends from Europe(they are his age) and they are usually left alone at home and explain that it's something normal for children above 5 years and usually nothing bad happens to anyone.I consider letting him 2-3 hours at home alone every day but what should we tell him for his safety?

Answer 1

Well,let him.At 8 he isn't a phlegmatic child and knows what could happen and simple rules for his safety.Just remind him some of the rules.

Answer 2

I was 8 years old when I started staying home by myself (for like 2-3 hours after school, and 1 hour before school). I was not allowed to...

...answer the door,
...use the stove,
...play outside,
...tell any stranger that I stayed home by myself (obviously),
...have friends over.

I could use the phone, since we had call waiting, and watch tv. Also, as soon as I got home I had to call my mom or dad and let them know that I got home okay. We had a code phrase made up so that if anything was going wrong (like there was a bad man in the house) I would say the code phrase to my mom and she would know something was wrong and call the police.

Anyway...those were just some tips...your son should be fine. Buy lots of individual microwavable meals, and snacks. I never had a problem.

I should add that letting your son stay home alone is based on his maturity level. I was very mature and responsible at his age and would have died before disobeying my parents. If you think he can handle it then go for it. Give a test run first, and see how he does.

Answer 3

S u said urself "usually" nothing happens..what if it does? Don't set a bad example by letting ur son cave in to peer pressure. Just bcuz the European kids do this or that doesn't mean ur son has to. Explain that it is against the law so there is no negotiating. Maybe u could stay in one room (reading, paying bills, cleaning a closet, etc..) for an hr or so every once in a while to give him the rest of the house to himself. I actually understand where ur son is coming from..as a kid n young teenager I loved bn home alone sometimes..just gave me a sense of freedom and kind of a grown-up feeling. But I was over the age of 12.

Good luck!

Answer 4

2-3 hours is a long time for an 8 year old. Get him a sitter and tell him to deal with it. He'll get over it. I didn't leave mine alone untill they were 12 and even then only for an hour or 90 minutes in the afternoon. from the time they got home from school untill I got home from work. They called me at work when they got home and Then I called them back to make sure they were calling from MY HOUSE. They were teens before I left them at night.
ALL KINDS OF THINGS CAN HAPPEN TO CHILDREN LEFT ALONE. 8 year olds are NOT mature enough to handle stressful situations or to disern the difference between a child molester and a shoe salesmen.

Answer 5

In this country, 8 is too young for alone time at the house. He can have alone time all he wants in his room. Wait till he is ten? Maturity level does make a difference but I did not leave my boys home alone till they were 12. (only because I valued my furniture and my neighbors ears). Here are two sites for home alone kids.
Good luck.

Answer 6

If he wants to be alone, he can go to his room and be alone. There is no reason he needs to have the entire house to himself. Maybe he's asking for this time alone so he can be doing something that you wouldn't approve of. I'm all for giving someone space, but his room is probably big enough that he can be there by himself for a length of time without anyone bothering him. Don't leave him home alone.

Answer 7

8 is too young to be left alone for more than a few minutes as the other posters said. If he dosent like it, tough. He is the child, you are the parent.

Answer 8

He's 8. He doesn't know what is best for himself. If he wants alone time, he can go hang out in his room. Its illegal for him to be alone at 8. Be the parent. Tell him NO!

Answer 9

you should tell the law your story when you get home.... cuz if something was to happen to him while you are gone.. you WILL NOT GET OUT OF IT... we are NOT Europe... and grown people don't leave their children alone just so they can have some alone time... that's just stupid and selfish ... and against the law

Answer 10

Alone, by himself? who's the parents?anything can happen; he's still a child, they can act foolishly on given situations. It woud be safer if he did find time alone with his friends or his room and do whatever activities he likes; but alone...think twice.