Whats a good age to trust the kids to be home by themselves?

Answer 1

12 - but call and check in on them often.

Answer 2

12 is a good age, however you're the parent... you need to make sure that your child or children as stated in your questions are old enough to know what to do in emergency situations.

Lets say they wanted to cook something via stove or microwave and a fire started.... what would your kids do? Especially since you have more then one, and you leave both alone. Would the oldest one help out the other, or run and save themselves cause they're so scared?

OR what if a stranger came to the door? Weather it be for selling or what ever.... what will your kids do?

It's always a good idea to put your eldest through a babysitting course. It helps them learn the rights/wrongs good/bads, and just gives them the learning skills needed to take care of them selves, and others.

But most of all, you're the mom. What do you feel comfortable with doing?
Testing them here and there is a very good idea.
Like leaving them alone for 10 minutes at a time. Just drive around the block a few times.... then go for 20 then 30, 45, 60 ext.... you'll start to see just how well they truly are and what you can and feel that you can't do.

good luck with it!!

Answer 3

12

Answer 4

It's so dependent on the maturity of the child involved (and whether they're looking after a younger sibling).

My oldest was allowed to be home alone for short periods at 12 yrs. old. He was very responsible and thoughtful. We didn't leave him alone with his younger brother though because my youngest is the kid most likely to burn something down accidentally. (or break something or fall off of something)

My youngest is 14 now and has just started being left alone. He's a sweetiepie but he just doesn't think before he does something and he's very forgetful so it's not rare for me to come home to find the stove still on or the microwave dinging as cold food waits to be removed from 3 hours before. The house could fall down around him when he's playing guitar or reading.

If you have a responsible child, you'll know when you're comfortable and he or she is comfortable being left alone. It's one of those things you have to talk over.

Answer 5

I just started to let my son be home while I work part time - he is 12 yrs old. I know there were times where he would take the key in case I wasn't home before the age of 12 and all seem fine because I wasn't far behind him getting home. It basically depends on the child's independents and how mature they can handle the situation.

Answer 6

My folks started at 10. I think that was a good system. 16 for overnight was also the rule., but we had an alarm and so on, so I guess it depends on where you live, and the maturity level of the child.
Also, during the time I was left alone, I was assigned a list of optional chores I could do for cash, so my folks not only got to go out, but would get a clean garage, etc. out of it! I probably made better money then than I do now, lol.

Answer 7

When my daughter was 10, I would run to the store if I knew I would only be a few minutes. That age is usually the legal age they can be alone. When she was 12, I left her with her little sister (who is 5 yrs. younger). I only went accross the street to the video store, but it was a baby step. Eventually I moved up to grocery shopping or going to dinner with my husband. By the time she was 13, I was completely comfortable with her ability to be a responsible sitter.

Answer 8

It TOTALLY depends on your chil(ren)!!! My daughter was very mature and had no trouble following the directions I set for her, so she was able to stay home for short periods on her own at age 11. When I was younger, I was babysitting other children by age 12. If your child has some issues paying attention or doesn't follow rules very well, I'd wait until they were older. Good luck! :)

Answer 9

I don't think age is a good determinant in this. It depends on how responsible the child is. You should know your child better than anyone. With that being said if you really want an age, about 12.

Answer 10

Depends on the kid. Some at 4 some not at 25
I was left alone at 4 and there was never a problem. That was another time of course, and the government stayed out of family business. Now they have to screw with everything, needed or not.

Answer 11

depends on their gender. Girls ages 9 on is a good age. For boys, 11. Then again it depends on the personality of the kid. I would definately not leave them alone for more than an hour to see how things turn out. Always leave numbers and ways for you both to communicate easily. Just have like a practice session where you leave them alone for like 20 min and see what happens or what or who is broken. If not, then everything is ok. i think parents feel better when they have pets around to protect them in case something goes hangwire.