what do you think, OK for a 10yr old boy and a 6 yr old girl to be home by themselves?

Question

here's the deal - a friend just started having her kids come home after school - and will be by themselves for 1 1/2 to 2 hours every day, until mom or dad get home from work. Is this too young?

I think it's too young too, I was just wondering what other people thought. They are good kids and the 10yr old is pretty smart, but.......................

Answer 1

Yes that is too young and they should be reported.
In that hour to two hours they are alone something terrible could happen.
If they can't watch their kids maybe they need to get a sitter until they get home or put them in daycare where they will be safe.

Answer 2

It depends....

Mostly on the kids, but also on whether or not there are neighbors close at hand that are willing to help out.

I did not let my kids stay home at 10 for more than a few minutes, and even then I would let the neighbors know where I was.

If this is a case where a neighbor is checking up on them, and can be gotten easily, then its kind of like babysitting from a distance and a 10 year old can probably deal with that.

Back when I was a kid, most parents stayed home. Mine were the exception and at 8 I was babysitting my sister when she cut her finger with a knife. The neighbor was available, and no harm came to my sister.... but it traumatized me to the point that I get real light headed when I see (or hear about) finger injuries.

So while it could be set up so everyone is safe, that is a lot of responsibility to set on the shoulders of a 10 yr old, and things do happen.

Answer 3

Yes, I think it's too young. My son is 11, and I leave him at home alone when I go to the grocery store, which is 5 minutes away. He doesn't want to go with me, anyway. I am gone maximum 1 hour, but he still usually calls me on my cell phone to ask "what's taking so long." So yeah, 10 and 6 years old are too young to be alone. I don't think these latch-key kids are very happy, coming home to an empty house every day. They need at least a sitter, or a neighbor to look in on them.

Answer 4

They're too young to be alone for that length of time. 10 is not old enough to be expected to be responsible for a 6 year old, and 6 is too young to be responsible for herself at all.

I might feel differently if it was only for 10 minutes, and if, say, it was an apartment with an entry system (so nobody could come to the door) and a friendly neighbour in the next apartment just feet away. But in that case they'd really be coming to the neighbour, rather than to be alone.

Answer 5

It is too young. Even if the friend thinks she can trust the ten-year-old to know what to do in an emergency, she must realize that she can't trust the six-year-old to listen to him and obey him. Ten-year-old boys can be pushy and can have issues with little sisters that may not be on display when the mom is around.

Each state is different, but in Illinois, for example, it is illegal to leave children under age 14 home alone. The children could be taken from them.

< Illinois law defines a neglected minor, in part, as "any minor under the age of 14 years whose parent or other person responsible for the minor's welfare leaves the minor without supervision for an unreasonable period of time without regard for the mental or physical health, safety or welfare of that minor.">>

Answer 6

I'm sure there are laws in your area regarding this.A 10 year old usually lacks the maturity to be responsible for their decisions at times, how can he be expected to be responsible for 2 people.If there were an emergency would he have sufficient skills to address it. (It is difficult for an adult to respond correctly ).The parent should ask a neighbour to watch the kids or see if their school has daycare available after school for working parents.The safety of their children is worth more than any extra income they are making.Just knowing your children are safe and supervised should give you peace of mind while at work.What price do the parents put on that?

Answer 7

I do think it's too young for them to be by themselves even for that amount of time. I remember my brother and I would stay after school by ourselves when we were of the same age. It was about the same time period also. We weren't allowed to go outside, just to stay inside. Nothing bad ever happened but that doesn't mean that something could have. It would be really good if possible if she could find someone she trusts to watch them until she gets out.

Answer 8

Depends on how mature the 10 yr old is, and if trained properly to not answer the phone, or door, etc.
Also, if they are going to be home alone, a neighbor should be allowed to check on them.
Ten yrs. old is about 4th grade-actually, I had my son in YMCA after school care. So he would be supervised, and get a good snack, help with homework, and he would feel safe, etc.
Take care.

Answer 9

a 10 yr old is not really too young to be home for that short period of a time if they are ready for it, and the parents would know better if their child is mature enough and they can trust them, but leaving them in charge of a 6 yr old is a bit much i think. that shouldnt be the responsibility of a 10 yr old, something will happen, kids get into things and the parent will blame the 10 yr old and think that he/she was old enough to know better, and they might but when you put kids together at a young age like this, they are kids, and will act like it. so they shouldnt do this. 13-14, then ok, thats old enough to watch your sibling for a while but not at 10, at 10 that child should only be responsible for his/her own actions.

Answer 10

i might locate out what your county/state regulations are in that undertaking. seek advice from the supervisor on the complicated on condition that greater then possibly they already know the regulations on that. in my opinion i does no longer do it only becuase at 4 yrs old they are involved by specific issues and likewise i know with my 4 twelve months old he's on a series schedule...those 2 are possibly to be on diverse schedules and could disturb one yet another in the event that they are interior the same room.