Would you ever leave a 9 year old and 7 year old home alone?

Question

Ex had the kids over the weekend. I found out he had left our 9 year old and 7 year daughters home alone for over an hour. They were ok and everything, but I was shocked at his lack of judgement. Isn't it illegal to leave kids home alone at this age? He says there's no law in Florida that says he can't, he says it goes by maturity level.

Answer 1

You right it was a poor lack of judgment if the kids aren't ready for this just yet but I was left at home at the age of 9 with strict rules of not to answer the door or go outside. My mom also taught me emergency numbers and what to do in case of a fire and other things.

Answer 2

As someone who has grown up in a daycare, and as someone who frequently babysits 9 year olds and 7 year olds, I do not believe that it is a good idea to leave children alone at that age. While I'm unsure of the laws in Florida, I do believe that no child should be left home alone until they are 12 years old, and that child should not be responsible for another child who is younger. Many babysitters can be found very cheaply. I know that I watch a family of 5 children for $7/hour, which is reasonable. I imagine for two kids at ages 7 and 9, he could have found a sitter for something around $5-6 an hour, rather than irresponsibly leaving the children home alone.

Answer 3

Part of me says absoluetly never leave children home alone.....but this was for one hour? and the oldest is nine? a mature 9? I was babysitting at 11. I was very mature for my age though. So maybe part of it does depend on the maturity of the child. I would never agree to leave a 7 year old in charge not even for half an hour. Do you think your nine year old is capable of watching her sister and not opening the door to anyone, and not using the stove unsupervised and all those other things? I raised 2 boys who are now married with children of there own and my youngest was a latch-key kid at 8. I was a single mom and had to work. That was 25 years ago, things have changed since then, but I think it's up to you to decide if your oldest is capable and if not, he never should have left them. Also an hour is all I would allow at that age, no longer.

Answer 4

First, you should call whoever you would call in Florida to find out the legal age to leave kids home alone. Second, I wouldn't leave my kids home alone at that age. I still have a hard time and they are older than that. Anything can happen when kids are home alone. Much less, weird neighbors finding this out and hurting them. Florida seems to have a lot of crimes against children. They have the most child molesters, I heard on the news. Anyway, if he only has them on the weekend, why can't he spend all that time with them? What was so important??!! That would really piss me off badly, if someone did this to my kids. I would tell him, next time he just has to do something so important that he has to leave them alone, to bring them to you and you'll watch them for him.

Answer 5

It really depends on maturity. My mom would leave me home alone when I was 9 for a few hours to look after my brother who was 6 at the time to go to the laundromat or grocery shopping etc, but then again I was extremely mature and responsible for my age so nothing ever went wrong. But in most cases, no, 9 and 7 year olds aren't mature enough to stay home alone.

Answer 6

Especially,if that was there first time alone,,,,,they must have been so scared.
It must not have been very important either, if it was for an hour, was he too cheap to pay a babysitter the 2.50?
not only is it illegal,,,,,it's down right mean to the poor kids. They shouldn't have to take care of themselves at that age.
My daughter of 10, has never been alone for even 5 minutes,,if I go across ed the street ,,,she goes with me.
A seven year old is prime age to play with matches,,,,and such.
It is illegal,,,,,if you reported it,,,,but I am sure people do it all the time....
What are you going to do about it? I bet he would do it again,,,,,and for longer times, especially because he wasn't sorry.

Answer 7

there is a law somewhere, here in Illinois the legal age is 14 believe it or not..makes a few problems for younger babysitters- but no, 7 and 9 are much too young to be left alone, if anything happened like say a fire or a choking or even if someone were to break in..they just do not have the knowledge or judgment to deal with situations like that..that's why they have parents- I would sooo kick his a ss

Answer 8

I dont know the legality of the situation, but most people with enough common sence would know not to leave 2 kids under 10 years old at home alone no matter how short a time frame. Thats just my opinion.

I think the legal age is around 13yrs. But thats just speculation. Call your local law enforcement agency and they'll be able to tell you.

Answer 9

Went thru a similar situation years ago in Connecticut. With a 9yr old and 3yr old. Unfortuneately, when I found out they were alone, and called the police, the police went over, and My 9yr old was able to answer all of the police officers questions as to what to do in an emergency. She knew about 911, she knew to get them out of the house in case of fire, etc. Anyway, it came down to the laws that were on the books. Because no law was broken, there was not a thing that could be done about it. Childrens Services wouldn't even get involved. I understand your concerns, most of us would never do that no matter how mature the 9yr old is. I would not want to live with the guilt that something happened to them on my watch and I wasn't there to protect them. Your in a tough situation, try to remember that as frustrated as you are going to get with his decisions, don't let your children see that. Do your best to protect them even when your not there. Make sure they know what to do in emergency situations, unfortunately, its about all you can do when they are not with you. Good luck.

Answer 10

I may be only 13 but i think it way too young to leave a 9 yr. old and 7 yr old alone for that long. maybe for a few minutes but more than an hour is definitely too long. You should go to court or.....unless you don't want to do that. not let them over with out supervision, or something because you can't let that happen to your kids again...(I'm not saying it your fault)