At what age would you allow a child to stay home alone? (2 Viewers)

[FUBAR]

11

This is the answer for us.

Our oldest turns 13 in a couple weeks and has watched his brothers for a few hours at times this past year (including a now 5 year old). We got him a phone before we left him more than 15 minutes as we don't have a home phone.

I've left his 11 year old brother with the other two a couple times to run to the store when my oldest wanted to join me.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

We have a regular poster here that would be happy to watch your kids for you.

 

[Tick]

Haven't read past the initial post...

This is one of those topics where you just can't use common sense. You have to go with the legal definition. Check your state's laws and follow them so you don't expose your family to being separated... even if the laws are silly.

I have left my 8 year old alone a few times in NY. Sometimes she is fine, a few she didn't like it. We only do it if she says its ok. Just looked for a NY state law and apparently there isnt one. Could leave my 6 year old if I wanted. I wouldnt bc he chooses to always come with us and not stay with his sister.

http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/cps/faqs.asp

While they say to use judgement, it looks to me like you're at risk if they're under 12.

 

[Tick]

Tried to look up michigan law awhile ago it was pretty vague iirc

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/Pub-112_179456_7.pdf

They say older than 10, but this part would scare me:

A child over the age of 10 and under the age of 12 will be evaluated, but the case may not always be assigned for a CPS investigation.

 

[The Big Guy]

Are we talking about a man's 5 minutes or a woman's 5 minutes here? My wife taking a 5 minute trip anywhere means kiss a good hour and half goodbye.

 

[flysack]

Unarmed: 13

Armed: 6

 

[[scooter]]

9-11: yes

12-22: no

 

[MindCrime]

found a compilation of state laws about this

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

Illinois says the child must be 14!

Eta: my 12 and 9 yo boys are home by themselves regularly. (1/2 hour after school, etc)

 

[chet]

found a compilation of state laws about this

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

Illinois says the child must be 14!

Eta: my 12 and 9 yo boys are home by themselves regularly. (1/2 hour after school, etc)

We live in Chicago and my daughter began babysitting at 12.

 

[flysack]

I recall coming home and being alone for 2 hours after school when I was in third grade. I must have been 8 years old.

Of course, this was in the Great White North, where they don't pump fear through the TV to psycho mothers.

 

[NutterButter]

I recall coming home and being alone for 2 hours after school when I was in third grade. I must have been 8 years old.

Of course, this was in the Great White North, where they don't pump fear through the TV to psycho mothers.

Same here. Is being a latchkey kid even allowed anymore?

 

[snellman]

I recall coming home and being alone for 2 hours after school when I was in third grade. I must have been 8 years old.

Of course, this was in the Great White North, where they don't pump fear through the TV to psycho mothers.

Same here. Is being a latchkey kid even allowed anymore?

In our school district, some parents that live only a few blocks from school pick up the kids at school. Small town (less than 3000 people)

 

[NutterButter]

I recall coming home and being alone for 2 hours after school when I was in third grade. I must have been 8 years old.

Of course, this was in the Great White North, where they don't pump fear through the TV to psycho mothers.

Same here. Is being a latchkey kid even allowed anymore?

In our school district, some parents that live only a few blocks from school pick up the kids at school. Small town (less than 3000 people)

Opposite of that is I see parents waiting with pretty much ever kid at every bus stop I bike past. Never saw that when I was growing up.

 

[MAC_32]

I recall coming home and being alone for 2 hours after school when I was in third grade. I must have been 8 years old.

Of course, this was in the Great White North, where they don't pump fear through the TV to psycho mothers.

Same here. Is being a latchkey kid even allowed anymore?

In our school district, some parents that live only a few blocks from school pick up the kids at school. Small town (less than 3000 people)

Actual door to the school is about six houses down a grass alley once going through the gate in my backyard. Fenced in yards on one side, school on the other of the grass alley. When can my kindegartener go by himself? I'm really hoping first grade is acceptable/expected.

 

[snellman]

I recall coming home and being alone for 2 hours after school when I was in third grade. I must have been 8 years old.

Of course, this was in the Great White North, where they don't pump fear through the TV to psycho mothers.

Same here. Is being a latchkey kid even allowed anymore?

In our school district, some parents that live only a few blocks from school pick up the kids at school. Small town (less than 3000 people)

Actual door to the school is about six houses down a grass alley once going through the gate in my backyard. Fenced in yards on one side, school on the other of the grass alley. When can my kindegartener go by himself? I'm really hoping first grade is acceptable/expected.

I would say she can go now. Our house is about 1 block away from the school and our children have been going by themselves since kindergarten.

 

[matuski]

We leave our 9 and 7 year old alone for 45-60 minutes at a time on occasion with our dog. A run to the grocery store/gym/gas station/whatever.

I let them walk to the grocery store alone to buy treats on occasion. 2 blocks.

Other moms have gone so far as to say they would divorce their husbands over this.

 

[AcerFC]

They will not allow the Kindergarten/first grade school kids off the bus unless someone is at the stop waiting for them.

 

[comfortably numb]

We leave our 9 and 7 year old alone for 45-60 minutes at a time on occasion with our dog. A run to the grocery store/gym/gas station/whatever.

I let them walk to the grocery store alone to buy treats on occasion. 2 blocks.

Other moms have gone so far as to say they would divorce their husbands over this.

That sounds reasonable