At what age are kids allowed to be home alone ?

Question

by law does anyone know?

Answer 1

As far as I am aware most states do not have a set age when it is ok to leave a child home alone. I would suggest contacting your states child protective services office and ask.

A lot of you determining what is an ok age is going to depend on the child and her or his level of maturity, how long you will be gone, what time of day you will be gone, ect.

I started with my kids with trips to the store, leaving them home alone for short periods of time. If they call you 3 times within a half hour, they aren't ready for it yet.

Answer 2

Depends on where you live and if they are properly armed or not. J/k! I've heard of DFS showing up when the kids oldest child was 14, but the mother yelled at them and they left. Sorry can't be more useful...♥_______________dirt

Answer 3

I allowed mine when they were 12 years old but if they messed up they got a babysitter so that was a embarrassment so they then behaved

Today I doubt if I would allow it times have changed so much,mind you with mobile phones they can be in touch instantly,I think I would say 16 now thats if you really trust them

Answer 4

I'm assuming that the laws vary from state to state, but I'm not sure.  All I can really go off of is the rules when we lived on the AF base.  At age 10 they could stay home for a couple of hours by themselves, at 11 they could stay home with siblings for a few hours by themselves, and at age 12 they could stay home and babysit others.  Regardless of what the laws say, you also need to take into consideration the maturity of your children.  In some cases they may need to be older than what the law states.  Hope this helps :)

Answer 5

Actually i stayed home a lot when i was 14. My Dad, a single parent, worked in the gulf of mexico. He was gone 7 days, home 7 days. When i was smaller i would stay with my grandma, who lived next door. Once i got to about 14 i was allowed to stay at the house by myself as long as i checked in with her every night. I saw a psychologist once (unrelated) and we mentioned it. It was funny because she got a really shocked look for a second, but once we explained i had relatives nearby it was fine.

Answer 6

I have always heard 11, but I think it should depend on how responsible the child is.  If your 11 years old is not very responsible I wouldn't leave him by himself.  I'm protective of my children and I didn't leave them alone till they were13 or 14 and that was only long enough for me to run down to the corner store and back.

Answer 7

I don't know about law but i was allowed to stay home by myself when i was 7

Answer 8

my son does stay home at 14 years

he knows what to do in a emergency and who to call

and he sometimes is nerveous about being alone

oh yeah i live in canada

I HAVE ASKED CHILDREN'S AID ABOUT STAYING HOME ALONE IF YOUR OVER 13

Answer 9

In most states it is 12 years old.  That said - I wouldn't go with the law all the time.  It really depends on the maturity of the child.  I have 3 kids, the oldest of which is 13.  He is very immature for his age so when we go out we do indeed get a sitter.