how old can a child be to be left at home alone, overnite?

Question

I have to go to new Orleans for 4 days , but I have noone to stay with my daughter who is in fl. Is it against the law to leave her alone, she is 12 yrs old

Answer 1

When I was 8 I was sometimes left alone at home over night.The age of 12 is absolutely OK.

Answer 2

4 days is really too long to leave a girl of that age alone. I know what i got into at twelve, 4 days is just too long. I would try and have her stay at a friends or at least get someone to look in on her. 1 night would be ok, but 4 is a long time. At 14 it would be ok, 12 is a little young. Even 13 would be better. she isn't even a teenager yet.

Answer 3

Law shouldn't be the most important issue here.

You should discuss with her to see how she feel about it. If you never did it before, 4 days seem too much for your daughter. But maybe with help from someone around, to go sleep at night at friend's house or something could do the job.

I was left alone for a night or 2 when I was 12, but I began by an afternoon, a long day or 2 and after that I asked for more by myself. But most of my friends would consider her too young to be left alone for so long... Depends of your daughter's maturity and capacities.

Answer 4

No I do not think that is a good idea at all, please read these guidlines, I also got you a website to look at about this subject.
Age Guidelines

7 & under Should not be left alone for any period of time. This may include leaving children unattended in cars, playgrounds, and backyards. The determining consideration would be the dangers in the environment and the ability of the caretaker to intervene.
8 to 10 yrs. Should not be left alone for more than 1½ hours and only during daylight and early evening hours.
11 to 12 yrs. May be left alone for up to 3 hours but not late at night or in circumstances requiring inappropriate responsibility.
13 to 15 yrs. May be left unsupervised, but not overnight.
16 to 17 yrs. May be left unsupervised (in some cases, for up to two consecutive overnight periods).

Answer 5

since you might be leaving her alone its not a good idea to tell us were you are going and where your daughter is at. Have her call a friend and ask to spend the night, 4 days is really long for a 12 y/o

Answer 6

Overnight for 4 days! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?

I do not know what the law is but it is utterly rediculous that you are even considering leaving a 12 year old CHILD alone for several days. Do not go to New Orleans.

Answer 7

I guess I would be hesitant about leaving my 12 year-old daughter home alone for that length of time. One night, maybe...but 4 seems a little long for a young girl to be left unattended by an adult.

Answer 8

You shouldn't leave any child home alone overnight especially a 12 year old & especially for 4 days - what are you thinking !!!! You could be charged with abandonment & so you should. I can't believe you would even consider such a thing.

Find friend who will have her for those days or better yet - take her with you. She can get lessons from her teacher to do while she's away with you.

Answer 9

There is no specific age defined by law, and it's up to individual parents to decide whether their children are mature enough to cope in a crisis should they be left home alone. The NSPCC website 'recommends' children under 16 aren't left alone overnight, but again there is no actual legal statute to enforce this.

Answer 10

I would say 4 days to be left alone at 12 is to long. Does she have a friend she can stay with??? Is there any way she could go with you????

Answer 11

4 days is far too long to leave a 12 year old home alone, and yes it is against the law.