Attention Parents!!!
By Ambur25
@Ambur25 (1006)
United States
May 18, 2007 12:45pm CST
At what age should a child be trusted to be left alone? Is it an age appropriate situation? Or should it be judged by maturity of the child, or both?
Personally, I started staying by myself during summers while my mother worked when I was 12 years old. I guess she trusted me and felt that I was old enough to make my own dinner and follow the rules she'd set for me while she was gone.
What age did you or do you plan to comfortably leave your children at home alone? And for how long? A few hours at an earlier age?
4 people like this
20 responses
@michelemri (92)
• United States
18 May 07
I think by age 13 most children can stay alone however there are some age limits in some states that the child must be XX years old before they can stay by themselves. I also believe that maturity places a big part in if you choose to leave your child at home alone, if he/she would be able to make the right decision if faced with a multitude of situations that could potentially go wrong. also I would factor in time, are you just running to the store or are youleaving for the day for work. I think for most children the age would fall between 12/13.
2 people like this
@sarahwight (2)
• United States
18 May 07
I think it is based on maturity. I want my kids to exsercize the indepenent muscle as much as they can. I try to let them feel independent while I watch as much as possible. We have extra cell phones for them to take with them to the park or a bike ride. According to the national stats on abducted kids, it is acctually less than years past we just hear about it more.
2 people like this
@Ambur25 (1006)
• United States
18 May 07
I agree with that also. Maturity is a big factor. My oldest son is 8 years old, my youngest is 5. If my youngest weren't there, I would probably leave my 8 year old at home while I ran down the block to the store and back. We live in a very small town and it would probably take me all of 10 minutes. But... if my youngest doesn't do a lot of growing up? He'll not be left alone for even 10 minutes when he's 8 years old! Lol. There's where the maturity comes into play. My oldest is very mature with a level head. I would trust him to stay at home all day! I just wouldn't do it for fear of something going wrong. If I could ensure that there wouldn't be a fire, burglar, or any other hazard, I think I could definitely trust him at home by himself.
1 person likes this
@sensesfail (2251)
• India
19 May 07
I think the right age would be 15 -16.Earlier than that would result in too much of privilege and responsibility.Which might result in misuse of it.
So 15 -16 should be fine.Later than that also has its demerits.
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
18 May 07
The acceptable age, and by that I mean the age that is acceptable to Child Protective Services, is age twelve. However, it is a very personal decision at what age is appropriate for each child. No child should be left to tend to another at less than age twelve, but if a child is ten or eleven and is home from school because of a school holiday then I think it's okay to leave them for an hour or two. I've done that with my own kids and they were perfectly okay with it and were mature enough to know what not to do.
2 people like this
@Ambur25 (1006)
• United States
18 May 07
I think 12 is a magical age. Lol. But, it does depend alot on the maturity level of the child. As I've said, I don't think I would leave my 12 year old to tend to my 9 year old for an all day event. But, I think it would be okay for a couple hours or so.
1 person likes this
@4cuteboys (4099)
• United States
20 May 07
I believe here on base to be left home alone the age is 12. I could be wrong, thats what I think it is. My parents left me home alone around the age of 11 I believe. I didn't get into anything though, I just hung out, and chatted on the phone and watched tv.
My oldest is 7 1/2 right now and I would never leave him home alone. I don't even know about when he's 12! lol! It just depends on how he matures!
2 people like this
@coachflaps (683)
• United States
20 May 07
It really depends on the child, of course there are laws on such things which you must abide by, all states are not the same. I have a feeling though that when our oldest hits the legal age he still won't be staying at home by himself, lol.
2 people like this
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
19 May 07
The minute my brother and I got our first cat, I was 11 and my brother was 10, was the minute my mom said we could handle ourselves. If the child is ten years of age or older and he or she can handle responsibility, then they are okay to be left alone.
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
19 May 07
I was 11 I think. My mom and dad would let me come home from school and i would be alone for a few hours. I felt sppp grown up and I loved it, My mom had usually made me food so that I could just heat it up =)
I think that it is important as a parent to know your child, if you do you will know if he or she is ready to me left alone or not =)
1 person likes this
@tammyr (5946)
• Etowah, Tennessee
18 May 07
My son was 11 the first time he was left at home alone and that was only for about for 30 minutes or an hour. He was not very trustworthy at times so he did not earn it. After he was almost 13 We let him stay for a couple of hours, but not longer/
My daughter is 10 and I will let her stay here if I have to go to the store. That takes from an hour to 90 minutes, but I have my cell and we talk to each other. I have only let her 2-3 times. She is very trustworthy to a degree and I do not fear that I will come home to a police of fire truck like I was with my son.
2 people like this
@c_sapphire (59)
• United States
21 May 07
I asked my mother to stop taking me to the babysitter when I was 5 or 6.
That was great. I started getting depressed at my babysitters even though she and her family were very nice. I can't remember if anyone took me home after school or if I went home myself but I did my homework, played piano and looked after my younger brother who was 2 years younger than me.
Naturally my mother came home at night from work to make dinner .....I obviously couldn't use the stove without burning myself at that stage
I think it's all about maturity as well, not the way you look or how old you are chronologically
I still love playing with my plush toys but hey I also look about 8 years younger
1 person likes this
@nill_07 (1104)
• Bangladesh
19 May 07
It depends on situation..
Parents never want to leave their child...
But you have asked a matter that is relative..
In a sense.. human are always lone..
So one have to be learn to walk lonely..
If parent can teach their child successfully then it is earlier..
For me it was 18.. For someone it may be 16 or 12 too..
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
19 May 07
It depends mostly on how well behaved the child is. I've seen 18 year olds that I wouldn't turn my back on let alone leave by themselves. But I've also seen 10 year olds that its no big deal. Just make sure they know basic house safety rules (don't let anyone in, don't tell anyone your alone, ect) and that they know what to do in case of an emergency.
LIVE IN PEACE
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
19 May 07
Most states have laws governing at which age a child is considered responsible enough to be left on their own. I feel that it should be at the discretion of the parents. After all, they know their child better than anyone. I grew up in a completely different time (and sometimes it seems in a different world). We lived out in the country and my parents (aunt and uncle) would sometimes leave me at home alone when they drove into town on Saturday. It was understood that I could not have company in the house and I never got into trouble.
2 people like this
@tmlnmr (1850)
• Canada
18 May 07
Where I am from you can be left alone at the age of 11 legally, you can babysit at the age of 12 legally. I strongly believe that maturity is more important than age, I wouldn't leave my son alone at that age for fear he would burn the house down while I was gone. Fortunately I have a daughter who is older than he is and she is very mature and was able to watch him when she turned 12 with no problems.
2 people like this
@fellowlife (988)
• Nigeria
19 May 07
well i was left alone to decide for myself when i was around 10 cause i had a sharp mind then and able to think out of the box.
it should be based on the personality of the child and not about the age factor
1 person likes this
@meljessxena (2315)
• Australia
19 May 07
i was never left home by myself at a young age, my sister was 7 years older than me and my other sister was 2 yrs older than her, so i think when come to just us 2 youngest one home i think my sister was about 16 and it was usually for a about 3 hours, either because mum was at work and dad was at the pub.
i think its all about safety and where your living and your friends (neighbours etc) and age and maturity does play a part because if your not mature than a parent wont think that you will make good decisions about your well being (if you know what i mean)
1 person likes this
@missjackie (1358)
• Ypsilanti, Michigan
19 May 07
It should be a case by case basis. If your child is mostly trustworthy, then I would say around 10 years old. It should be judged by maturity of your child and if you can trust your child completely.
1 person likes this
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
19 May 07
I belive it has a lot to do with how mature the child is and how far you may be away from them mine were about 10 when we woudl leave them alone and visit the neighbors for a coffee or drink in the evening and abotu 12 when we would go to a movie or out for dinner.
1 person likes this
@liyan97 (2127)
• Northern Mariana Islands
19 May 07
I have three kids and although they are still pretty young, I honestly don't think that I would or could trust them to be alone until they are out of high school...lol....My parents left us alone at the age of 14. But I don't think I will do the same with my kids.
1 person likes this
@golfproo (1839)
• Canada
19 May 07
I beleieve it depends a great extent to the maturity of the child. However, 12 is certainly the most likely age. That is the age the law will recognize in most parts and where kids have developed enough to be able to handle what comes up. Any younger than 12 and you are risking an abandonment charge. Bear in mind however that there are many 12 year olds who are nowhere near being mature enough to stay home alone. Also there are younger children who are. It all becomes a judgement call.
cheers,
