How Old Is Old Enough for Your Child to Stay Home Alone?

Unfortunately I was never able to leave my older daughter home to sit with her younger brother. As a matter of fact parents of my babysitters would call and tell me that their teenage girl could no longer babysit for my children. But my daughter grew up to be a most responsible adult with two very well behaved children. I personally think it is ok for the older child to be by himself for short periods, but 10 is too young to have the responsibility of a younger brother or sister. Maybe another year or two and also some childcare classes might help out. And even then it might be good to know for sure a responsible neighbor is close by just in case.

I have left my ten year old home while I went for a run. He is responsible but I would not put him in charge of anyone else. I have given him eorders to not let the dogs out to go to the bathroom while I am gone. A few years ago he stayed at a friends house overnight, very unusual for us, only to find out that the next morning the mom left them alone to run errands. I was furious! When I asked if she would have left her son home alone she said no but felt that my son could watch him. WAy too young to have that responsibility. What if something happened? He would have that hanging over him forever.

My kids were 8 and 11 when we starting letting them ride the bus home from school and be alone for 45 minutes to an hour until one of us got home. BUT the 8 year old was recovering from Mono and came home, ate a granola bar and slept for over an hour. That's why we did it. She couldn't handle the craziness of the after school program. That summer, she was sleeping 2-3 hours in the afternoon, so we rearranged our schedules so they were home alone for 2 hours each day, although I was a 5 minute drive away and DID have to come home a couple of times.

My oldest daughter was about 11 when she would watch her three younger siblings while I grocery shopped. At 13 she would watch them after school for a couple of hours. She was extremely responsible and the younger ones understood she was in charge. (no one was allowed out of the house while we were gone!!)
On the flip side, my second child is 15.5 years old and I just now started letting her watch the younger two. She just did not have the same high sense of responsiblity that my oldest daughter did.
My son is 11 and my youngest daughter is 9. She is more responsible than her brother, by far.
You have to base staying home alone or with siblings on the individual child and not just the age.

My kids were in 2nd and 5th when they started staying home afterschool alone for a few hours (9th and 6th now). I was nervous at first thinking my son (who is older) would do the "because I'm in charge" and be mean to his little sister. But surprisingly, they get along better for the most part when we are not there. My son really surprised me at how well he watches out for his sister, and will bandage and kiss a booboo. He is very protective of her. It boils down to you know your children (how old is the baby?) If my daughter were in Pre K or younger I probably wouldn't allow a 10 yr old to watch her. I would say if the younger is old enough to "fend for himself" fix a bowl of cereal, use the bathroom without help and can follow simple instructions it might be ok. Try some practice runs with them in the house and you outside working in the yard and see what happens. Then try little short trips to the store and gradually increase your away time.

I am struggling with this as well. I have a 10 and 8 year old. I have considered leaving them alone for short periods of time. Maybe while I am at the gym for example. The 10 year old is very responsible but I am not sure I should leave her in charge of the 8 year old. I know times have changed, but I was home alone for hours 3-5 during the work week from the time I was in second grade. The kids have phones, neighbors, dogs....my guts just tells me to wait.

It depends on the laws for your state. In Ohio, children under the age of 12 are NOT allowed to be left unsupervised, without an adult, no matter what. And if you have two kids, one 13 and the other 10, then the 13 year old can be left alone, but CANNOT be left in charge of the younger child.

Case in point, a neighbor of mine ran to the store, leaving her eleven year old daughter alone for less than an hour. Her daughter was supposed to stay in the house, but decided to ride her bike in the driveway instead. Of course, she fell off and injured herself and another neighbor called 911. The mom was charged with child abandonment or something similar (she won't really discuss it since it's part of an ongoing custody case the ex-husband brought against her for unlawfully leaving their daughter unsupervised) and is now in danger of losing custody of the girl.

Find out what your state laws are before you even THINK of leaving your children home alone.

I have all girls and I would say that I began leaving them alone around ages 12, 8, and 5. They are now 15, 11, and 8 and I feel completely ok with the situation as the middle child is the most responsible and is usually given all the instructions, while the oldest is there simply for legal issues.

It isnt the AGE of the child its the responsibility of the child. My 18 year old daughter is adorable but kinda a unicorn, rainbow, glitter personality on life. My son age 12 is head strong, informative, organized and very intuitive. My daughter was 11 and my son 5 the first time I left them home alone to make a quick run to the town grocery store for milk and bread. Then I took my son with me and left my daughter home alone. Engaged with house rules, chore list and cell phone and notified elderly neighbors across the street who were the step in grandparents. My son he was left home alone the first time after school at the age of 8. I had an unplanned emergency meeting and their dad doesnt get off work until 6. So, his first time home alone he locked the door, armed himself with a cell phone and friendly neighbors across the street. He did WONDERFUL for the 1 1/2 he was by himself. He asked when can we do this again. So, I started doing it in short increments of time then increasing the time. The kids have always done good. I feel its good for them. It shows an age of maturity and a part of responsibility. They know that if they are home alone there is house rules to follow and chores to be done. I am very proud of my children. It also gives them a growth of inner strength to know they are trusted and they can succeed. Cutting the apron strings a tiny bit at a time !

I realize as a parent you feel the decision on when to leave your children home alone is up to you. HOWEVER, please check with your local laws and state statutes. You'd be surprised that for many states the legal age is between 12-16. If anything were to happen to your home or your child and he/she were under the legal age, the parents can be criminally prosecuted for leaving them home without an adult. So, even though you teach them CPR, how to call 911, and never to answer the door or phone to strangers, they should not be left alone if your state or local laws have indicated a certain age to do so. :)

Most local YMCAs have babysitting courses for kids of jr. highschool age, and most local laws outline the specifics as to what age a child needs to be before being left home alone.

We left our 2 daughters alone for the first time at 11 & 10 years old. Someone came and knocked on the door and they freaked out and called me. They ended up hiding in the closet until I could get home. So, we decided to wait a while longer and have just started letting them stay home alone again at the age of 13 & 12. Never at night and just for several hours during the day. Its a hard choice to know when they are ready, but it was also very terrifying for me to be on the phone with them while they were freaking out and hiding, knowing that I was 20 minutes away. I guess it depends on the childs maturity and what you feel comfortable with.

http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-kids-age-limits.htm

This is the legal aspect of leaving kids alone.

I don't agree with most of you parents out there. Yes, I do think that there are alot of kids that are mature beyond their years. (Both of my nephews were always mature for their ages). But to leave an eleven year old with a six and eight year old and let a thirteen year old babysit a seven year old is too risky. These kids may be "mature", but they are still kids and will think like kids, not adults.
http://www.atcoachoutletonline.net/