In your opinion at what age is a child?

Question

In your opinion at what age is a child old enough to be left at home while the parent nips to the shop at the end of the road. I know people who have left their child at 7 and other people who won't leave theirs at 15. What is your opinion?

Answer 1

Depends on the maturity of the child but I would say around 12 or 13.

Answer 2

i wouldnt leave a child under 12 alone at home even for an hour or so. between 12-15 an hour or so providing they are mature and i know they know how to be sensible etc. then over that age is fine. although i cant actually give a proper answer as definate because when the children get to that age i will have to re-decide based on maturity. my 15 year old sister however is very immature and was only allowed to stay home from around 14/15 alone if i was in the house (im 3 years older) i stayed home alone from around 10/11.

Answer 3

Depends on the maturity of the child. My 7 yr old acts older then my 12 yr old. But I still won't leave just one home alone. Depends on how far down the road your talking about and how long you plan on being gone. Age isn't a factor. My 7 knows not to answer the door or phone when I am not home just running next door or something like that. My twelve year old will let any one in the house and tell them I am not home.

Answer 4

I think it depends on the child and on your circumstances. Both of my children are very mature and responsible. Plus we live in a small town and most of our neighbors are people I have known most of my life. I left my children at home for short times when they were 10, for half an hour to run to the store. And when my oldest was 12 I started leaving them at home while I was at work. I only work 6 hours a day and I come home for lunch and my husband's office is 3 blocks from our house. I'm sure if I lived in a large city and didn't know my neighbors I would probably not leave them at home alone until they were older. I also have some nephews who aren't as mature as my kids and I don't know if I ever leave them at home alone.

Answer 5

I would say 10 if it was just a quick 5 min trip to shops, any longer and I'd say take them with you. I used to leave my 10 year old at home while i nipped to shop or pick partner up from work, but then little maddie hit the news and now my kids are not allowed out of my sight. Call me overprotective but you don't know whos about these days.

Answer 6

I think it depends on the child although I think for any child 10yrs old would be the youngest for a quick trip to the store(15-30min). I figure at that age most are trusted enough to walk home from school or ride there bike a few blocks to a friends house so 15 min while you run to the store would be ok for most(certainly not all).

Answer 7

I did not leave my children until the oldest was 11 1/2. He will be 12 December.The first time was this summer.All seemed to be fine,but they know the rules.We never worry about them trying to cook or even get into the fridge.Some 15 year olds probably shouldn't be left alone.It really all depends on the child or children.I wouldn't leave my children at home for very long though.Too much unsupervised time could be bad,gives them time to get bored.

Answer 8

I know seven year old children who would be safer left at home than some fifteen year olds, so it REALLY depends on the child.

Whenever possible, I'd take any child to the store with me though. Accidents happen. Bigger kids take bigger risks and get bigger hurts. You can always send them down two aisles to pick up toilet paper for you and keep them from getting stir crazy too.

I'd say that an "averagely" matured kid out of elementary school (grade 5) should probably be safe home alone for up to 15 minutes or so. More than that I'd say take 'em with you, or ask a neighbor to stop by for at least part of the time.

Answer 9

Depends on maturity. For a quick stop at the store down the street? 10-14 years.
It's hard to say because every child is different and some can handle more independence and responsibility than others.

Answer 10

there is eighteen months between myself and my brother (hes the oldest) i think of this works greater powerful for a boy and then lady courting. I looked as much as him on an identical time as i grow to be a toddler, yet grow to be waiting to narrate to him on a point as an adolescent. Now the two in our mid 1920s, I even have some how previous him out (very own residence, toddler, secure courting, secure job)..on an identical time as he travels the international. I now and back experience i'm the elder, giving him suggestion and help the place mandatory. yet they do say females mature speedier besides. on the different hand I even have cousins, 2 females 2 yrs aside and then a brother a year youthful than the middle toddler. the 1st 2 sisters in no way get on, in no way have as they're too close and consistently in opposition with eachother on an identical time as the middle sister and smaller brother are like superb friends. All of their early 20s now and it nonetheless continues to be the comparable.