Can i leave my 10 year old in the house in New Jersey

Question

i want to leave my 10 year old in the house for like 45 minutes .Is this ok or is this illegal.SHe's going ito middle school and she acts mature.She just watches TV untill we get home.So,Could i leave her alone for a while?

Answer 1

no, i wouldn't leave her alone, even know she acts mature... i was that way too, but once the parents leave i found so much that i could get into without getting in trouble. plus there's so much that could happen in that little time. i would just pay to have a babysitter for a while... and i wouldn't leave her home alone until she was 13 or 14.

Answer 2

yes. I live in Canada and I needed a babysiter from when I was little until 9 years old. 10 is the age ur allowed to stay home by urself for reasonable amounts of time (not all day, and not usually late at night, but a few hours is just fine).

Just keep ur doors and windows locked.

When I was 12 my parents went to vacation for a weak, and I was left home with my 15 yr old brother... My grandma would check on us, but we were basically home alone much of the day...and I was mostly looking after my bro (making him meals, reminding him about chores..)

Answer 3

Just pay the money for a babysitter. There are so many dangerous things that a 10 year old could get into...especially while enjoying the freedoms of being home alone!

Answer 4

its ok. just lock the doors and windows. tell her not to use any electrical appliences. then she should be fine.

Answer 5

I don't believe there is a legal age in the state of NJ.  I know that the national recommended age is 12.  I was babysitting at the age of 10 though, so I say it depends on if you really know you can trust her and if she is aware of all of the safety precations to take.

I looked and found this:  http://wiki.answers.com/Q/At_what_age_ca...

Again, at the age of 10 I was babysitting, so it depends on the maturity of the child.  Make sure the law isn't set, and then you have to use your own judgement.  Call you local non-emergency police number and ask if you want to be positive.  

Here is a link that is just for info: http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-ki...

Answer 6

No!  Absolutely not.  Is there not a neighbor that you can have your child go stay with for that short time or someone who can come over to your house to do you that favor and stay there until you return?  Who is "We"?  You said until "we" get back home.  If you and your husband are going out then that's ridiculous.  One of you can stay home instead to watch your child.

What would you do if during one of those times something happened and your child hurt him/herself badly.  You'd never forgive yourself.  And yes, I think it is also considered illegal, according to the law.

You'd be surprised how fast the years go by.  It will seem like it was just yesterday that your child needed someone to watch him/her.  Before you know it, you will have the freedom to go out and leave your child alone.

One big mistake people make is in thinking that "if I let him/her have a friend over, that will be better because at least there will be two of them there in case something happens".  No!  That only makes double the worry and double the possible trouble they can get into, even in just 45 minutes.  Is it really that hard to take him/her with you wherever it is that you go when you have to leave home for 45 minutes????