children
By mommaj
@mommaj (23112)
United States
February 17, 2009 5:38pm CST
Should the law set the age limit that a child can stay at home at 8 years old? Shouldn't other factors be examined. If the kids' parents I know let them stay at home even though they are eight years old and the law says it's okay I think I would still call social services for the kids or a psychiatrist for the parents.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
6 Jan 16
@mommaj Right. My evil ex decided to take a vacation the beginning of March. She is taking the kids out of school and they are coming to stay with me. I don't think that is a good idea with them being out of school for 10 days. She is off the wall in her thinking. She used to be a wonderful mother. Now since she is with an out of work bum, she seems to have a hair brain.
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
18 Feb 09
I just found some information about leaving children home alone that I found and is very disturbing. Many States don't have an age limit that children can be left home alone. I was under the impression that there were laws regarding the age limit. Only 14 states have an age limit. That age limit ranges from 8 to 14. I had the police at my house (called by the ex) when I went to a meeting for about an hour not 3 miles form home, and had left my 13 year old son in charge of his younger siblings age 11,10 and 8. I thought it was alright since he had been left in charge before and I my self had started baby sitting at age 12. But it seems that many parents are doing it at the age of eight for economic reasons.
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
18 Feb 09
Thanks for the information. That's just scary. Shame on your ex.
I started babysitting when I was young too. If your 13 year old son is capable then he should be left in charge to babysit. I was actually hired at 8 years old to watch a lady's children. She was in the house with me. She had her own clothing business and I would watch the kids as she worked.
1 person likes this
@daneg33 (1128)
• Canada
17 Feb 09
Well my daughter is 8, almost 9, but I certainly wouldn't leave her at home alone. She is in daycare - before and after school care for at least one more year, then they have what is called a "Home Alone" course which she will be taking. Then and only then can she legally stay at home alone and it will only be for about an hour and 45 minutes from the time she gets off the school bus until my hubby gets home from work.
