My son wants to stay home alone after school until I get home at 5:15.?

Question

He has a reliable ride home every day after school. He is 8 will be 9 in December. He is in the third grade. Is he old enough to be home alone for 2 hours? I call him and he knows he can call my direct line at work. I live in a good neighborhood. The neighbor across the street said she would keep an eye on my house after school until I get home.

Answer 1

no honey is no safe and if for any reason somenthing happen the police is gonna take your kids away and you r going to jail

Answer 2

I am 35, and I grew up in an Eastern European country. Myself and all my friends were in self-care for about 6 hours a day starting with age 7. We lived at 4th floor and had gas stoves, the ones that you actually need to start using a match, otherwise gas will keep coming out. I was heating up my food every day, there were no microwaves. We were all fine. We kept our house keys on chains around our neck. I personally think that if the child is mature enough, he can stay home alone for two hours at his age just fine. HOWEVER, since you live in a different country and in different times I strongly recommend you NOT to let him stay home alone. There is a very high chance someone will report you and you get in trouble. I noticed here a lot of people are in the "reporting" bussiness. Even if the law doesn't say there is an age below which leaving your child in self-care is illegal, age 12 or 13 is the recommended age in several states. I think if someone reports you, the risk is too high. Although, given my experience, I would let my son stay home alone when I decide he is responsible enough, I'll wait until 12 or 13 because it's not worth the risk. I suggest you do the same. Wait at least two more years.

Answer 3

I really would say absolutely not. First of all, he's just too young. Even at 11 or 12 I think it's questionable but, at not even 9 years old I think it's not even a question. But more than just the obvious I think there's something you need to think about which I am just beginning to realize now. I have two 11 and a half year olds at home. I have left them alone for short periods of time (together or alone) and everything has always been fine. A few days ago, my son left a note on the floor (like my 18 yr old daughter can and has done) telliing me he'd gone on a bike ride and would be back in about an hour. There was no way that was an okay thing for him to do without directly asking me. But, he knew that his older sister had done it and thought he could too. My point though is actually something else -- I guess that was just a tangent. My son is also now thinking that it should obviously be okay for him to go to friend's homes when the parents are not there. This is an absolute "No" especially since he just started middle school and has lots of new friends that I don't know. But now it is becoming hard for me to put the brakes on him since he's been allowed to stay at home alone already. Kids need to go slowly as far as freedom and independence is concerned. Letting a child as young as yours stay at home alone is far too much independence and freedom for him to get used to even if he initially does fine with the specific situation. He's too young to have that much time alone to himself and to have that much freedom. Of course it might work out fine but, the chances are just too high that things could end up happening in the long run that you definitely don't want. I'm glad you live in a good neighborhood but, that truly has very little to do with it.

Answer 4

Well I'm 10 and I started staying home in the late 9s. But he is a boy too. I would wait a couple years or if you really think he is old enough let him. I mean try having him stay alone while you are walking around the block and see how that goes, if it works, then try a couple of days with him staying alone. Or have a neighbor make sure he gets home and have them stay with him for a little while then he can stay home for an hour and a half. Give him experience staying alone and it might work out.

Answer 5

According to my mother, who is the former head of Child Protective Services and the current Assistant Director of Health and Human Services in Inyo County, California, there's no specific law (in CA) regarding how old a child must be to stay home alone. However, the court system has the right to judge whether or not leaving any child alone constitutes neglect depending upon the circumstances. In other words, if something happens or if someone reports you, you run the risk of loosing your parental rights if the courts decide you are neglectful. Again, this is California law, I don't know what state you're in, but you basically are making a gamble that other people are going to agree that your eight year old is mature enough to be alone.

I'm willing to leave my eight year old along for ten minutes at a time with the door locked while I take a quick walk to the store, but that's as far as I'm willing to carry it. However, your son may be more mature than mine. I personally can't make this call for you, but you need to be aware that you may be putting yourself at risk of losing your parental rights. Is it worth the risk?

Answer 6

Not old enough. If everything went smoothly, of course he'd be fine, but what happens if there's a fire, or he's jumping on the bed and falls off and hits his head, or he starts throwing up, or who knows what else? The neighbor across the street isn't going to be much help with such things, even if she's paying attention every second (doubtful). It's not worth it. Hire a teenager to come watch him for those two hours, or find him an after-school activity.

Answer 7

Honestly, I didn't stay home alone until I was 11,12. I think that keeping him home at a younger age isn't good cause he could get into things that are not good ( Worst Case Scenario ) like imagine he got into matches and burnt your house down or he hit his head on something and got hurt. Although that could happen to even a 12 year old or older I think he should stay home alone later then this planned age.I know how it feels to not be trusted and not get oppurtunities. But right now where do you keep him after school if he doesn't stay home alone? If it is like at a day care or something like that then I suggest trying it out. AND DON'T BE SCARED TO GET SNOOPY AFTER YOU GET HOME ( My mom did the same to me ) :)! Okay, well this isn't a demanding message just a suggestion hopefully it helps :)

Answer 8

Try it on a trial basis for a week, if he's a mature 8, and you are both comfortable with the idea. You could keep your neighbors number by the phone, just in case. You'd need to have some ground rules: no friends over, no cooking on the stove, stay inside, don't answer the door, don't tell anyone you're home alone, etc.

Answer 9

My first response is no. But you also have to go by state law, and their guide lines. Our state its age 12. It does not matter what kind of neighborhood you live in, what if he gets hurt or theres a fire or other disaster would he at that age no what to do?
that's why they have the age laws is because older kids can handle these situations (supposedly) better. Some older kids however still need more supervision as younger kids tho.
But that's beside the point.
Good Luck
Morgaine

Answer 10

So is your neighbor going to watch the house non stop for 2 hours? I think not. Besides, your son is INSIDE doing who knows what. He may know better than to use the stove or cut up an apple, but he still may try to do it. Anything could happen.
sorry, that is way too young & probably against the law

Answer 11

Children should not be left alone until they are at least 14.
And once they reach that time when they can be left alone, it doesn't mean that they should be babysitting younger siblings.
No child should be without a parent until they are 14. NO exceptions!!!!!