What Age to Allow to Stay Alone?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
What Age to Allow to Stay Alone?
16
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 9:00am

When do you think a kid can stay home alone?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2006
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 10:05am
I think that really depends on several factors. First, our state (I think) has guidelines for how young, and if my memory serves me it is age 11. Also, how long will the child be alone? An hour or two after school five days a week, or occasionally? How mature is the child? Does he or she feel safe? Do you have an alarm system? Are there other moms in the neighborhood he or she can call upon if needed? Can the child get into the house quickly and is he or she mature enough to lock the door behind them, call you to touch base, and start homework?
Avatar for 2boyz4us
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 10:57am
I agree with the previous post that it is really dependent upon many factors. check your own state's laws. I am in Illinois and it is very vague. No specific age give with I am thankful for as my 12 year is very responsible and mature and has been able to stay alone (for increasing amounts of time) for a couple of years now.
 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 11:21am

When you feel their ready and they feel their ready. Staying home alone can be for 15 minutes while you run to the store or 3 hours...and you may be comfortable with 15 minutes initially but not 3 hours. Just listen to your feelings and go with your comfort level.

Lynn

 

Avatar for onehappymama
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2005
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 12:15pm
I think it depends on the child.
My son has stayed alone at home since he was around 9 or 10 years old. I would just run to the store & would be gone for less than 30 minutes. He has stayed for several hours since he was 11. And he has his own key to the house to let himself in just in case I'm not here when he gets off the bus.
One of his best friends has only started staying by himself for an hour or less at a time this past spring. He turned 13 last month. He is extreamly immature & just wasn't trust worthy. His mother (one of my best friends) would worry that he would start a fire in their fireplace since he is so fascinated with fire. They hired a babysitter for him this summer.
When I was in the 1st grade, I was a 'latch key kid'. I would get off the bus & be by myself for about 3 hours. It's hard for me to imagine my son coming home to an empty house when he was in the 1st grade.
Quinn is going to have to start coming home to an empty house when I go back to work (which will be soon, I hope!). The difference is that he'll be here for several hours until I get home. But I trust him.
Community Leader
Registered: 12-16-2003
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 12:42pm
Depends on the kid, how long, the area, etc...

Ramona  Mom to 2 great kids and wife to one wonderful hubby since 1990!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2003
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 3:08pm

Yep another vote for depends on teh child!


Some children tend to be


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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-03-2004
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 3:34pm

I agree that it depends on the child. Daniel has stayed home for short periods of time and comes home to an empty house after school. He has a key to let himself in and there are neighbors that he could go to if he needed to. He calls me when he gets home so I know he got there ok. There are also ground rules, like he can't use the stove while I am not in the house. Do not answer the phone unless it is mom or dad. Do your homework as soon as he gets home.


I am a grad student so my schedule is set by the classes I have to take. My DH is working day shift now ( he was working nights and was home when Daniel got home) SO this year is the first year that he will come home to an empty house 4 days a week.


FYI I was a latch key kid in 1st grade. Would come home from school get my gym bag then take a bus downtown and go to the YMCA for my swim lessons. I can't imagine having Daniel do that at age 7 or even now to take a bus by

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 4:23pm

Here's Maryland's law:



Q: "At what age can a child be left home alone in Maryland?"
A: Family Law Article, § 5-801, provides:



(a) A person who is charged with the care of a child under the age of 8 years may not allow the child to be locked or confined in a dwelling, building, enclosure, or motor vehicle while the person charged is absent and the dwelling, building, enclosure, or motor vehicle is out of the sight of the person charged unless the person charged provides a reliable person at least 13 years old to remain with the child to protect the child.


(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both.


www.lawliv.state.md.us/unattendchildren.html


Now on a personal note.. I just called the police station to find out what's the age.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 4:26pm

Here's Illinois


Preparing Children to Stay Alone (May 2001), by the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS), has the following information about the legal age to be left home alone in Illinois:



What is lack of supervision?
Illinois law defines a neglected minor, in part,

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 4:43pm
DD has stayed alone for an hour or so since she turned 10 in February. I am comfortable with it b/c my parents live across the street. I will not allow her to stay alone at night.
Kelly

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