Too young?

Question

Do you think ten years old is too young to be left home alone for 2-3 hours?

Answer 1

It could be illegal. Where I live, the law says a child can't be left alone before age 11 and can't be left in charge of smaller children until age 14.

Answer 2

It depends on your child's maturity level. Legally, 10 is ok to leave at home. However, lots of 10 year olds couldn't handle that. You know your child, so you have to make that decision. If you decide to leave them, be sure that there is a trustworthy neighbor who they can check in with if necessary and that they have phone numbers and explicit instructions as to what to do or who to call in an emercency. Also, of course, you will want to be sure that they know not to answer the door or let others know that they are home alone. Finally - you will need to set very clear boundaries as to what they are allowed to do/not do. Again - you have to figure out if your own child is capable of this or not.

Answer 3

absoulutely not!

but, it depends on the maturity of the 10-year-old. If i were you, I would spend a day teaching your child what to do in a emergencies, do serious situation roleplays. also create a booklet with emergency phone numbers such as a neighbor or close friend's number, parents cell/work, ect. also include a list of rules in the booklet. make sure your child knows these. and be sure your child feels secure being home alone. and, one more tip. it also depends on the neighborhood, if you are in a not-so-good neighborhood, i wouldn't do it. but if you feel comfortable with you neighborhood and the people in it, that's fine. and, this may seem like going a little overboard, but maybe consider getting you child a firefly cell phone. you will be able to choose what telephone numbers you child can call. this is so your child cna contact you in emergencies, such as a power outage or another situation.

Good luck!

P.S. click the link below to find out more about the firefly

Answer 4

I say its fine. Im 10 and i get left alone for like an hour if my mom goes out and i just watch tv. But it depends how responsible your child is. My mom knows im soo responsible and i make no trouble so if your child is really good,then sure why not? Make sure you tell them though if someone knocks on the door or calls to see who it is and everything. And just tell them to not make a mess and all,10 year olds are pretty mature,there not 5,they know to be good if you say so. i hope i helped =]

Answer 5

Check with the laws in your state. In New York a child can be left home for not longer than two hours at the age of nine.

Answer 6

only if the child is not responsible. My cousin left her 9 year old alone for a couple of hours. So it depends on the child.

Answer 7

He is too young. He needs a babysitter. When he is 11 or 12, then it's probably okay to keep him in the house alone for 2-3 hours.

Answer 8

II have an 11 year old girl and a 8 year old boy. MY 11 year old has been left alone since shes been 9. never longer then a half hour to an hour . Now I leave her alone when i run to the store but take my son so there are no fights. My son is different i don't leave him more then 10 min. , but my situation is a little different I live in an attached home with my in laws so i know someone is there if she needs help. It all depends on how mature your child is and what they would do left on their own. Do you have a cell phone or a neighbor they could go to if needed? If not I would not do it.

Answer 9

At 10 I'd say an hour to an hour and a half would be the longest they could be left alone. Even if the child is very responsible, they are going to get bored and then be more likely to get into trouble.

Answer 10

it depends on there maturity level. my son, who is know 12 will be 13 in december, stays home alone in the moring in the summer and on days that there are no school. He has been doing this since he's been 10. he also watches his 7 yr. old sister. my mother picks them up at 12:00 in the afternoon. my son is a very responsible "young man". he knows all the emergency procedures and also has in own cell phone. im very fotunate to have a responsible young man. i think it is ok to leave him/her alone for a short amount of time as long as you think there are mature enough. go over all the necessary emergency procedures, check with neighbors and family members to make sure there will always be somebody else around.