13 and 11 year old home alone?

Question

I have a 13 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. We live in a quiet, safe neighborhood in a house. Both currently walk home from school with no problems. The elementary school is right around the corner and the middle school is about 1/2 mile away. I also live next door to a nice retired couple who is usually home when school gets out (should something happen). I am going to be going back to work. The kids would be home alone for about 1 hour 2-3 times per week.

Do you think this would be OK? What precautions should I take?

Answer 1

absolutly fine. Just make sure you have contact numbers beside the phone

Answer 2

First off I would get a cell phone for the oldest in case something would happen, and MAKE sure that they have the polices number, your number, the neighbors number, and like your parents or something. I have 2 siblings and when we were younger we were home alone all the time. Its all up to you and if you feel your kids are mature enough for this. I know I wasn't but my older brother made me listen. Its your judgement call but I would say its okay, and this would teach them responsibility and trust. Also, I would give them a chore to do, it doesn't have to be anything big. Just something to show you they are doing what you want them to.

Answer 3

This is deffinently okay if everything is as described, I am home alone all the time and it started when I was ten AND I had to watch three siblings, I never had any problems and everything was great!

Answer 4

oh im 13 and i stay home alone sometimes, just make sure U lock the front and back door before you go out, also prepare dinner before so that wen they come back you can heat it up, and then tell them to stay up stairs just to be extra safe, and keep the phone with them at all times, also 'Dont answer the door to anybody' pep talk.

Answer 5

Yes, it would be okay!   My daughter has been doing this since she started middle school.    She calls me when she gets home, then fixes herself a snack, practices the piano, and does her homework.  By the time I get home, she's completely finished with her after-school routine, and she's even started dinner for me.

Answer 6

No matter quiet and safe your neighborhood is there could still be crazy people living there. Don't you ever watch the news?

Answer 7

One or two hours should be fine.

Answer 8

should be ok.  you need to lay down ground rules, like no cooking, not answering the door, keeping the door locked, find a safe place to store a spare key for them to get in, make sure they don't tell anyone where the key is.  make sure they know who to call in an emergency.

Answer 9

im 12 and have been staying home alone 2-3 hours since i was 7

Answer 10

It is fine.  I was babysitting a 6 mos. old baby and a 5 year old 8 hrs. a day the summer between 7th and 8th grade.  My mom was leaving on us on our own starting when I was in 11. (took care of  4 siblings)  Leave a working phone and some emergency numbers.  (just in case of an accident)  Teach them some basic health care.

Answer 11

I think that would be fine, here are the precautions I would take.

1. Give each child their own house key on a key chain to keep in a safe pocket of their backpack

2. Hide a key somewhere around the outside of the house

3. Give the neighbors that you trust a house key (just in case)

4. Give the neighbors all the numbers they would need to get in touch with you at any time (work, cell, hubby work, hubby cell)

5. Write down all the important numbers in the kitchen for your children (mom work, mom cell, dad work, dad cell, neighbor home, neighbor cell, grandma, 911)

6. Remind the children that they are to come home, lock the door and not answer it for anyone.

7. Teach them how to take a message if no parent is home (I'm sorry, she is in the shower right now, can I take a number for her to call you back at?)

8. Prepare snacks ahead of time for them so there is no need for them to use the microwave or oven to heat things up for themselves (unless you feel that they are responsible enough to do so)

Answer 12

yes.thell be fine.......................................

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Answer 13

I don't think  you'll gonna have problems with that.

They were already big for simple responsibilities like

don't leave the door open when there was just the two of you.

Here in our country kids at 9 or 10 can already take good care of siblings. They know how to cook rice . they know how to was the dishes and sweep the floor. etc.

as long as they know your number in your office or cellphone .

and for you can call them anytime you feel like to.

Answer 14

i would say it should be fine so long as the13 year old gets home first.  Lay down the rules, make them keep house locked don't answer door, and no cooking, unless it is nuckable, that's what i did with mine at the same ages in colo. Social services told me 13 was an age a child can legally babysit.

Answer 15

I would say no, if it is for only 1 hour, 2 or 3 times a week, it is not too much to pay a young lady, 16 or 17 or so to come over for that short time. Boys are not good baby sitters like girls are or as mature at that age, it would be a different if the girl was 13. Plus, boys hormones are racing at that age and yes it sounds ugly, but it happens sometimes if there is no supervision and the opportunity.

Answer 16

It's totally fine. Actually, you have to be atleast 12 years old to stay home alone, so the 13 year old is kinda babysitting the 11 year old. Anyways, just make sure they have emergency numbers, and a key to get in the house! Dont worry, its fine.