Our 14yr old son who will be 15 in Feb. insists that he can fend for himself and can be trusted to be left alone for two days.
He is an honor student, (which really doesn't matter now a days), well behaved, and seems responsible enough to be left alone.
We are planning a short get away about an hour away and he does not want to go with us.
I have searched the web and there is really nothing stating a "legal" age. We are in NC state, and nothing stated with child services.
There will be family near by, about 3 miles away, and friends and neighbors.
Nowadays, I really don't know if there is a legal age.
I was left alone at the age of 12 for a couple of days, way back when, but times have changed.
Can anyone give me "facts", or a website to confirm my question?
Thank you all!
2007-10-15 23:58:29 · 19 answers · asked by Mom of 2 great boys 7 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adolescent
I had called child services one time and they really didn't have an answer. They told me that if he was responsible enough then go with our instincts.
She couldn't give me a yes or no answer and basically said, that if something happened, that we could be held responsible.
Well, that doesn't give me much reassurance, does it now?
2007-10-16 00:10:58 · update #1
Times have not "changed". It is not more dangerous today than it was at any time in the past. If anything, it is safer.
Who are the parents of this boy, you or the government? You know your son better than the state, it's up to you to decide. It's not exactly like he's 4 years old and you're leaving him alone in a Portuguese hotel to watch over his two infant siblings. He's 15, for god's sake.
A 15 year old is perfectly capable of taking care of himself for a few days. If he can be trusted to stay out of trouble (that he would create), then it should be fine. I don't think the bogeyman is going to hurt him, so I wouldn't worry about his safety.
2007-10-16 00:12:32 · answer #1 · answered by pr0ph3t1cl1v1ty 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All growing up, I am 21 now, my parents never let me stay overnight at our house by myself. They just figured that I would probably get bored, and then find some way to get into trouble. I was also always trying to push their rules. If your boy is responsible, which you said he was, I would think that it would be alright to leave him for a couple of days providing he is not always trying to find ways around the guidelines you have placed over him. Especially since their is family so close. I think something else that would factor in is the type if area you live in. Whether it be rural or suburban or urban. If you did decide to leave him alone, I would definitely have the family members come check on him, especially when he is not expecting it. I know I am not an expert but that is my opinion.
2007-10-16 00:13:08 · answer #2 · answered by kaskytown 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im not sure about your state, but i do know for a fact because i am a child care worker, that if you leave your child at home alone if they are under 18 yrs old and something happens to them you could be held leagaly responsible for neglect of the child. im not sure how strict laws are in your community but if i were you i would call child protective services or social service department in your area and ask them.
2007-10-16 00:07:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In maryland by law a child can stay home at the age of 8 alone. But I think its all in the parents discretion. If you dont think he is responsible enough then I wouldnt do it. If you want to give him a chance to see if he can prove himself to you, that may be a good option.
2007-10-16 02:25:25 · answer #4 · answered by footinmouth3 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
staying home by himself for a few hours is ok but i wouldn't let him stay home alone for like the weekend or anything cuz you know you will do nothing but worry maybe have those friends come and stay the night once or twice while your gone and check in on him at random
i was 16 and my parents went away for 4 days and they still had ppl check in on me even tho i stayed home alot from the age of 12 up...they were worried about other ppl coming in not just not trusting me
2007-10-16 03:45:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
C'mon lady, time to let go, he's growing up! You can legally do whatever you want with him, he's your son. Just make sure there is easy food to cook in the house, leave the number to the place your staying and the number of emergency contacts. He will be fine, he's not going to die in two days. He'll probably just be lazy and play video games all day! ****, my mom left me alone with my sister for days when i was nine, I didn't die.
2007-10-16 05:53:35 · answer #6 · answered by ☆ღWifey Wifeyღ☆ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It would depend on how much he's been left on his own so far.
Has he spent several hours at home on his own, including cooking meals? Has he spent a single night alone? Or at least an evening, including locking the house up safely and going to bed?
I wouldn't leave him for two days until he has experience of being left for one day, or for one day until he has experience of being left for six hours...
2007-10-16 02:31:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's old enough to babysit other kids when he is 13, so he is fine now. Leave him alone. In 4 years he will be old enough to live alone. He'll need some practice being independant.
2007-10-16 00:03:38 · answer #8 · answered by fairmesm 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
For 2 days? Maybe a couple of hours but not 2 days. He is too young and you don't know what will happen. Sorry he will get over it.
2007-10-16 03:00:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
well
im 15
and my parents left for a week
and left me here to fend for the house
and i didn't throw any parties or anything
worst i did was have my best friend over to watch the game on big screen
2007-10-16 00:03:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋