How old would your kid have to be to be left home alone (1 Viewer)

[Homer J Simpson]

I started babysitting when I was 11. Our next door neighbors had 3 kids and I would watch them for about 5-6 hours one weekend night every week so they could go out. Dude paid well. We are talking 30.00 in 1974 dollars. Combined with my lawn mowing business I would make about 60 a week. Making it rain at 7/11.

"Super Slurpees for me and my friends...and why don't you pour one for yourself, my good man."

 

[boots11234]

About 15 years ago my wife had an extended stay at the Cleveland Clinic (open heart surgery). I would stay pretty late before heading back to my parents place out in the burbs. The hospital is pretty much surrounded by low income neighborhoods and government provided housing. I would drive through those neighborhoods at 10:30-11pm and I was shocked how many little kids (5-8 years old) that were runnning around with what appeared to be no supervision of any kind. I always wondered where their parents were.

Best hospital in the world in one of the worst neighborhoods in the US. I get there a lot for work and am alway nervous stopping at red lights. Can run them because they have cameras all over the area too. 

 

[NCCommish]

I forgot the other way I made money. We would dumpster dive for returnable bottles. Make an easy 10 bucks.

 

[[scooter]]

There is a single mom down the street with a sketchy past. Has twins that are 9. All summer long 9 to 5 they are on their own.

Sounds like she has a sketchy present and future as well.

 

[culdeus]

Sounds like she has a sketchy present and future as well.

Ya its not a good situation. And right now her living situation is dependent on having a tear down house to live in at low rent. Not sustainable. 

The girls were in foster care up to about age 5. The world is hard. 

 

[Homer J Simpson]

There is a single mom down the street with a sketchy past. Has twins that are 9. All summer long 9 to 5 they are on their own. 

  Used to be perfectly normal not too long ago.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

"Super Slurpees for me and my friends...and why don't you pour one for yourself, my good man."

 

[saintfool]

my son is 7. i have only recently left him alone while i walk the dog around the block or a quick trip to the grocery for 10 minutes (store is 2 blocks away). i tried it before with him, in autumn, but it didn't go well. i took the dog around the block while he played on his Wii console. i was rounding the final corner and could hear some kid sobbing. i was like "poor kid, i feel sorry for *his* parents..." and as i got closer i recognized that crying was my kid's! i see him sitting on the steps of our building, no coat or shoes on while he is bawling. i rush over to him and think he's hurt himself somehow.

me: are you okay?! what happened!!

him: [sobbing] the Wii wouldn't work! it wouldn't let me play Mario Kart!!! 

me: [pausing] that's it? you left your room, opened the door, down a flight of stairs - no coat or shoes even in 30 degree weather - to sit on the steps ALONE to cry about the ####### Wii...

him: [sobbing] i didn't know when you would get back...

me: [irritated tone now] i was walking the damn dog! how long did you think i would be gone? 

him: [suddenly aware] hours? you left me alone

me: TO WALK THE DOG!!

him: don't be mad, daddy...