How old would your child have to be for you to feel comfortable . . . ?

Question

How old would your child have to be for you to feel comfortable leaving them home alone while you went for a jog/walk in the neighborhood?

I know maturity would have to figure in but lets say ballpark average maturity.

Answer 1

My parents began to leave me alone when I was 8 and I turned out great.

Answer 2

10-12

Answer 3

My son will be 10 in Oct. we have left him home just to run and get milk or what not. He knows not to touch anything and just stay in his room and watch T.V. but leaving him any longer than that 5 minute span I still do not trust. I guess it is up to you how much you trust your child. My mom left us at home at 8 and we were fine, but we were a lot more mature than my son is right now. It is not a bad idea to leave her at small intervals right now to see how she does and then lengthen the time. Every child is different, I know they don't have an age here as well as to when it is okay to leave your child at home. It is all up to your child as to when they are ready and responsible enough to just sit and be okay while mommy and daddy are gone.

Answer 4

16

Answer 5

Funny, we had a similar discussion and resulting incedent at our house over this same issue just tonight with regards to our 8 year old.

The 8 year old got a shower early (7:30) as the older kids and the 2 year old went for a walk about the park just across the street.  My wife and I wanted to take a nice twilight ride on the Harley AND since we are preparing the 8 year old to learn to spend an hour alone each morning, we decided that it was time to start.

Use of the phone was reviewed (cell phone as we have no land line) and which numbers to call.  She went off to play Xbox while went out.  Just after, the oldest came in and said hello and offered the 8 year old a walk to the park which she declined, determined to see this through.

5 minutes later, she calls my mother in law in a tizzy cause she was home alone and could reach no one by phone!  Needless to say, we go a nasty phone call.

Anyway, my older children have been doing it for some time and do it well.  I guess if I have learned anything tonight, its that it depends on the kid.

Answer 6

12 at the EARLIEST!!

Answer 7

I agree that 10-12 seems reasonable but you may want to check your local laws just in case.  For instance, here in Utah, it is not legal to leave a child alone under the age of 12.

Answer 8

12

My kids are 12, 9, 8, and twins 4 months and I would only feel comfortable leaving my 12 year old alone while I go jogging around the neighborhood.

So if the others were being abbysat and the 12 yr old was home, I would leave her alone for maybe 30 minutes with strict instructions not to answer the phone and keep the shades drawn closed so your child can't be seen indoors ALONE just in case of some crazy creep luring about. It is unlikely that would happen but who knows this day and age.

Answer 9

Not younger than 12.  

Answer 10

i let my 3 years old alone for 30 seconds when i go to the garbage can... she learn to be alone... if you never do that kind of tests, your kid will never learn to be alone, and will cry when you quit, no matter the reason...

i also let my 7 years old take care of her for some minutes when i go to the grocery store just at the corner of the street... she like to wait for me.  but this is for 3 minutes, not 20... even if she can handle a 3 hours playing alone in her side...

i suppose 10 years old is enough when the kid is teached how to handle dangers etc... though at that age, you're supposed to bring the kid outside so he can be active and be healthy!

Answer 11

for a long time maybe 11-12 for a short while 9-10.

Answer 12

Just this summer did I feel comfortable leaving my 11 yo son alone to run to the store for about 30/45 minutes.  This was during the day and when my good friend and neighbor was home.  I still was very nervous, especially since just last year in a town near ours a 9 yo and 10 yo left alone for the first time died in an accident at home.  It was heartbreaking..  

Answer 13

10-12 years of age.  at this point in time, they know not to answer the door for strangers, or can call 911 for emergencies.  

Answer 14

11 probably but I have boys so maybe I should say more like 12 or 13 since it seems like males mature so much slower.  I doubt it would be before age 11 though.