What age for being home along???

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2003
What age for being home along???
6
Mon, 04-19-2004 - 2:26pm
At what age do you start letting your kids stay home alonge for short periods of time? Do you let them stay home with younger siblings??
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 04-19-2004 - 3:52pm
I have a DS (8 1/2). I don't let him stay home alone yet, even for short periods because I just don't feel he's ready yet. We have people in the neighborhood who will let their kids (ages 8 and 9) come home alone for an hour after school until parents get home from work. I guess it depends on the child and how mature they are. I don't think I would trust a 9 yr old with a child younger than 3 alone. In our town we have a babysitting class for 10 yr olds. I guess they feel that is a mature age to start babysitting. I would have them take a course like this before leaving them home alone with a younger sibling. We also have kids in the neighborhood (8-9 yrs) whos parents just tell them to be home at a certain time and they don't know where they are! Good luck!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2003
Mon, 04-19-2004 - 4:13pm
hello

I started to leave my oldest alone when he was 10 for no longer than 30 min.Never with any of his brothers though.Hes now 12 and I leave him alone alot hes very mature and knows what to do in an emergency and knows my cell # my heart.I still never leave him with his brothers because I dont think its a good idea since they probaly wouldnt listen to him and that would cause problems.When they are older and more mature then they can stay also.I have left the baby 4 months with him while shes asleep for 15-20 min while I run to get DS from preschool.

Lynette Mommy to..

Shane

Garrett

Brandon

Logan

Princess Gracie
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2004
Mon, 04-19-2004 - 11:51pm
It really depends on the age, maturity, willingness to be alone, and what time of day. Most states allow children to be home alone (after school and such) at 9, and babysitting at 13. Its really important to know what your state allows. Call or visit your local CPS office. They will give you thier guidelines and tips for knowing when your child is ready to be home alone. Of course there's no "right" age. A 10 yr old might be more ready than a 12 yr old.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2003
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 5:16pm
I am really torn on this myself. I can't help but think that right about the age they should be able to stay home, is also the age they get into more mischief. I also think it really depends on the neighborhood. In a big city, I probably wouldn't leave my 18 yr old home alone! LOL We live in a tiny city, where I don't mind leaving my 7 year old while I run down to the school that is 1/2 mile away. It's never really an issue though. My 7 yr old DD is ten times more mature than her 10 yr old cousin though, seriously. Everyone jokes with me about how she's not a kid, just a miniature adult, but it's just about true!! LOL She is VERY responsible. I probably wouldn't leave her home alone for more than 15 minutes until she's 10 or older though. I'm a little worried about if it would even be an option for her to watch her little brother though, he's a little bully! I'd probably leave her with my youngest before I'd leave her to watch him! I just remember how badly my older brother tortured all of us because he was resentful of the fact that my oldest sister was "in charge".

As for leaving them for after school or any other extended periods of time, I hope to never have to do that at all. If I would, my oldest would have to be 12 or older and be responsible enough to watch her brother and sister. I hope it's never an issue though. Too many kids get into SO much trouble when they are unsupervised after school.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
Thu, 04-22-2004 - 8:51pm
I think it's best to follow your heart/instincts/gut feeling instead of what other people do. I leave my 12yo DS for an hour or so and sometimes my 9yo DS with him. If they go out I need to know where exactly and when they will be back. I'll never be like our nieghbours who have to drive around town looking for their 10yo.
Avatar for my3girls2001
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 04-23-2004 - 8:49am

well without ruffling any feathers,, I think IMO that gone are the days of leaving your children at home alone! I think gone are the days of them running around the neighborhood playing hide and go seek, and just coming in when it gets dark! I would never leave a 10 yr old at home and ''NEVER'',, any younger then that! I have 3 girls and my oldest is 12 years old. She has taken the babysitting coarse, she is mature, she is a straight A student,, but she is just now getting to really stay at home while we go other places. She does babysit but very rarley her siblings,, other kids yes at their homes!


Even though your child is mature enough,, a 7 yr old would panic in a situation,, a fire, a stranger in the home, say she chokes while you are gone??????