I work with this woman, her oldest child is 12. shes a single parent. anyway she works overnights and she leaves her 3 kids alone at home. Im really scared for them. She keeps her cell phone with her at work but now shes getting in trouble at work because her daughter calls her at work. She says that she ant get daycare assistance. Is this right? It really scares me. how are single parents suposed to make it?
2007-10-11 08:07:29 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
BTW... I would never leave my children alone. I just wouldnt work if my kids were going to be alone. Lucky me, for having a good husband.
2007-10-11 08:12:21 · update #1
well i would love to help her out but it would require me to be in 2 places at once considering I work with her. wow if I could do that it would be great. but yes the oldest is 12 but the youngest is 2
2007-10-11 08:25:26 · update #2
well guess that would have to be up to my husband I cant be making obligations for him.
2007-10-11 09:04:49 · update #3
No ... this is not okay...every state has laws on the age of a child staying at home and even an age for babysitting. My children are grown now and I know the trouble they can get into at home even when your there. Just because she has her phone with her does not mean they are being good. She is not there if a fire starts or they get robbed or and arm or a leg gets broken. What good is the phone. Lets not forget about the sneaking out and boyfriends or girlfriends. Nope, Nope No, No, No. She needs to find someone to care for them or quit the job. After all this is for the kids.
2007-10-11 08:20:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
according to DCFS regulations. They don't have a set age that kids can be home alone. As long as the child knows what to do in case an emergency arises, they say it is ok. They also figure in time of day, ages of other kids blah , blah , blah
Me on the other hand would not leave a 12 year old home all night with 2 siblings. Maybe for a couple hours during the day while i ran to the grocery store or if i had to work late. I have really great neighbors that would help out
In our state IL we have assistance called CHASSI to help low income families pay for childcare.
2007-10-11 15:27:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a single mom with one son. Paying for daycare, even inexpensive daycare is more than a comfortable dent in my paycheck. My mom left me alone starting at age 7. I was fine. I was a smart kid, and new to call my mom or 911 or go to the neighbors if something went wrong.
While I'm sure it makes you nervous to think about a 12 year old being responsible, it is just possible that it works. It is also possible that neighbors check in periodically and are aware of the situation. Being a single parent isn't easy, no matter how you look at it. Perhaps offer assistance if you are overly concerned.
2007-10-11 15:21:00 · answer #3 · answered by sarah23670 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Overnight? I'd say this is not ok. 12 is too young to leave overnight minding little ones. I'm sure she's doing the best she can as a single mom, but there has to be some way where she's not leaving them alone at night.
2007-10-11 15:14:45 · answer #4 · answered by SavageLettuce 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
During the day i would trust the 12 y/o old a little better, but leaving them home all night by themselves is way to scary. It's not that I wouldn't trust the 12 y/o it's the people out there that break in to homes.
2007-10-11 16:43:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think seeing as it is overnight it should be fine. As long as she is leaving after they are asleep and getting home before they wake up. Sometimes kids have to take on adult responsibility. It's not fair to them that they are missing out on their childhood but being in a family means that sometimes you have to do things that you dont want to. I did it when I was little and I think I am a better person because of it. I am currently enrolled in college to get a teaching degree because of my love for kids. 12 may possibly be the legal babysitting age in your location.
2007-10-11 15:20:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
It is vary hard for single parents, but the child is 12, and proably more mature then you were at 12 because of a single parent family.
They will be fine, they have a phone to call 911 and her mother. Its sad though that a child has to take on the responsability of an adult while her mother makes ends meet. Loss of childhood. =(
2007-10-11 15:11:44 · answer #7 · answered by Jamin 3 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Don't judge people... Just because you wouldn't personally leave your kids home alone overnight does not mean that she has the choice not to. Single parenthood is tough. You might try doing some research for state daycare assistance for her, or offer to be an emergency contact. She obviously has it very rough. 12 is old enough for them to stay at home alone. She is doing what she must to make it. Single parents never asked to be single parents. I am one... I was married for 7 years and one day my ex-husband decided it was okay to cheat. I didn't want that, so we divorced. We do what we must to survive. Offer to make dinner for the kids one night, or pop in to make sure everything is ok if you are so concerned.
2007-10-11 15:21:12 · answer #8 · answered by bonstermonster20 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I can remember being left home at 10 with my 8 year old sister. My brother who was 14 was supposed to watch us, but he was never there. My mom knew it too. I know that I am a stronger, better person because I had to take on a lot of responsibility at a young age. It all depends on the childs maturity level too.
Also it is very difficult to get daycare assistance. She might try it through your states Unemployment agency. Oh, the kids will be just fine!
2007-10-11 15:16:35 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I wouldn't recommend it, but in most States 12 is a legal age to babysit. I would also feel fearful for the kids, but unfortunately this is the story for many single moms.....
2007-10-11 15:45:26 · answer #10 · answered by free2praise76 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋