How old is old enough for a kid to stay home alone?

Question

My 11 year old wants to stay home alone sometimes when I have to go run errands. I think he is still to young to stay alone. How old is old enough???

Answer 1

My two kids (now 15 & 16) were left home alone after school until one of us got home  at 4:30 or 5pm every weekday from the age of 8 and 9. It was not the best idea but my kids were very mature (especially the 8 yr old girl) for their ages and we had neighbors who were available for emergencies. I put signs up near the phone with emergency info and phone #'s and had a list of things they could and couldn't do (use the microwave but not the stove, etc.) We were very lucky and had worked with them from a very early age about strangers, phone answering, etc. If you feel you want to try it, start by going for only 15 mins. and adding 15 mins. to each trip. Talk to your son about what he would do if certain situations came up like strangers at the door, phone calls, power outages, etc. and let him tell you how he would deal with it. In this day and age we have so much more to worry about than when we were kids, so we have to prepare our kids and make them street smart and safe. You know your son better than anyone else and you should be the judge...but he is at an age where he should be given some responsibilities so he can prove to you that he is ready.

good luck and God bless!

Answer 2

It depends how mature he is. I was staying home alone at ten years old, never got into troiuble and listened to my parents. Maybe take him to a stay at home class.

Answer 3

I'd say around 14-15..

Answer 4

Anytime you leave a child home alone you are in for potential troubles.

They will all do stuff they wouldn't in front of you, from minor stuff like eating the chocolates, to major stuff like having s*x. It all depends how much time you give him.

Ask yourself why he wants to stay home. Most kids would want to go and get out of the house. If he wants to stay to watch tv or play video games, is it worth the potential trouble?

Your gut is right. He is way too young for anything more than a minute away from adult supervision. If he whines about it, it further proves it.

Answer 5

16 in pa

Answer 6

Various on the state's laws and the kids own level of maturity.

Some kids are ready at 10 or 11, but then if a child is a special needs child they may not be ready even as an adult.

I was 8 when I was able to home on my own, and had to watch two younger sibling but that was back in the early 70s and times were very different then. My mother didn't have much of a choice back then.  I wouldn't recommend anyone doing that now.

You should contact your state children's protective services and ask if there are specific laws about this.

Answer 7

Here in the county i live in is 14 to be alone in your car while you run into the store and 15 to be unattended at home.

So told me the officer that stoped me walking out of starbucks with my 13 yr old 50 ft away from me in the car.

Answer 8

I have a ten year old daughter.  She maintains that since she can babysit at 11 (the hospital and Red Cross offer a babysitting course at that age), she should be able to stay home alone at 10.  She has a good point.  As of yet, though, she has not stayed home for more than a few minutes while I went next door (we live in the country, not a neighborhood).

I do not think there is a set age when it is appropriate/inappropriate.  It would depend upon the child and their maturity.

Answer 9

.Might depend on where you live but about 11 or 12 years old. You have to be 12 to babysit so it would make sense to let him stay home alone for awhile.

Answer 10

It depends on the child. I know I was at home alone by the time I was 9, but I was a kid that would do the laundry, watch TV and clean the kitchen.

If you trust your kid, then sure.

Answer 11

It depends on the individual child. Different states also have statutes on the "legal" age.  For example, I live in Kentucky and the age is 10.  Some kids are ready, and some are not.

Answer 12

when ever you think he can take care of himself and/or others without supervision. you'll know when he is old enough

Answer 13

Around 16-17