Latchkey kids: At what age is a kid legally allowed to walk home from school before mom gets home?

Question

I'm talking about kids who come home, let themselves in, and are there untill mom gets home from work.

Answer 1

well i ride the bus but its a long way to get to my stop and my 19 y/o is there too so im not alone and if hes out with frends i have y dog :D

im 12

last yr (6th grade, 11) was my 1st yr riding the bus

Answer 2

i did a project on latchkey kids.

12 years old.

Answer 3

it depends up on the state you live in . I live in VA , In Arlington County. Over here children can walk home alone and stay home alone for a few hours since the age of 6/7 . I have been doing that ever since i have 6 and 1/2 . And they can start babysitting at the age of 10 /11 . But that doesn't mean that every state/ county has the same law . Like in Maryland ( My neighboring state ) children should not even be spotted outside till the age of 13 without a parent / guardian or person older than 13 . So be sure before you make your child stay at home alone. Check out a few websites.

Answer 4

like 5th grade or so

Answer 5

Some kids do it younger than 10 but in California 12 years old is legal

Answer 6

Safe kids campaign states that 12 is the age that children can be left alone, but the website shows a state by state breakdown. Some don't have an age limit, some have it as low as 8 and as high as 13.

Answer 7

i don't know...i'm 12 i do that all the time

Answer 8

It depends upon the state laws.  In Cali and NY the age is 9 but they can only be home alone for two hours at the most.

Answer 9

12 in new jersey

Answer 10

Don't know but I would think 4th, 5th,or 6th grade. i guess.

Answer 11

Depends on the state... here's a summary for you.

http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-ki...

Answer 12

Where i live its probably like 1 yrs  we live in a tiny town where nothing would happen!

Answer 13

i'm not sure. i live in wisconsin, and i started being home alone in 5th grade

Answer 14

There is no law!

Answer 15

jesus i walked home at 8. What kind of a law is that?

Answer 16

i think it is either 12 or 13  somthing around there

Answer 17

There is no set age. it depends on the child's maturity level, if they know what to do in case of emergency (call 911, don't answer door to strangers). You cannot set an age because lets say you have a 13 year old with a severe developmental disability, just because they are 13 doesn't mean they can take care of themselves, therefore you should not leave them alone

Answer 18

I don't think there is a legal age.  It is whether or not you can trust your child to make good decisions.  I have one kid that I trust more than the other two because of the maturity level.  You will know whether or not your child is ready.  Try leaving the house for an hour or two with the child there by himself/herself.  If you come home and knock on the door, will he/she open it without asking who it is.  Will they answer the phone and give out important information to the caller?  If this is the case, then he/she is probably not ready.....

Answer 19

I don't think there is a 'legal age'.

It depends on the child's maturity more than age.

Answer 20

Best bet is to contact the local Children's Aid Society...

Here are the guidelines for my area:

The Child & Family Services Act states that "No person having charge of a child less than 16 years of age shall leave the child without making provision for his or her supervision and care that is reasonable in the circumstances." The legislation also states that "no parent of a child less than sixteen years of age shall permit the child to loiter in a public place between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m."

This means that it is the parents' responsibility to care for, and to ensure the safety of, their children at all times. It also means that it is an offence to leave any child unattended without making reasonable arrangements for every situation for the child's supervision, care and safety. Failure to do so may result in criminal charges being laid.

In deciding whether or not to leave your child alone, consider the following:

The age of the child.

The behaviour of the child, his/her temperament and health.

How long is the child going to be left alone?

Does the child know where you will be and how they can reach you?

Who is the emergency contact person for the child and how can they be reached?

Does the child know the rules they are to follow when you are not there?

It is your job to teach your child the right rules for any emergency situation and what to do when you are not present.

Talk to your children about who they can call for help, what to do if they are scared, and what to do if someone calls or comes to the door. Write this information down, and keep it handy for the children when alone.

Do not allow your child to stay home alone if you are uncomfortable about it or if you think he/she is not ready. You are responsible for your child's care and safety at all times.

Recommended guidelines for leaving a child alone

Infant - 9 years

A child of this age should not be left unsupervised at any time of the day or night. A competent caregiver should be on the same premises as the children.

10 -12 years

Short periods of indirect supervision of 1-2 hours may be acceptable for this age range. These short periods of indirect supervision may be provided by an adult in the next house or apartment-- if the adult is aware of the parents' absence, and agrees to look in on the child during specified periods of time.

Please note that indirect supervision via telephone contact is generally unacceptable for this age range.

13 - 14 years

Longer periods of indirect supervision (2 - 5 hours) are acceptable for this age range. An adult/babysitter should be available by telephone to the children in case of an emergency, or if the child requires assistance.

15 -16 years

At this age, the child should be able to be left alone for a full day. The parent should be readily available by telephone to the child in case of an emergency.

These are guidelines only. Every child and situation is different, and should be assessed individually.

***HOPE I HELPED***

Answer 21

they atleast have to be in middle school

Answer 22

Twelve Years Old in CT.

Answer 23

On military bases it is 12 years old - but out in town it varies among the commuities...

Answer 24

11

Answer 25

12

Answer 26

12 years

Answer 27

12? I am sympathetic to the person who said they walked home at 8, I certainly know we did at that age. At 9 I would cycle the two miles to the stables to go look after and ride the horses.

12 is ever so old to not be allowed out on your own, good grief, we were in senior school for a year by then, and there sure weren't big groups of mommies standing around at the gates to walk us all home!!

Answer 28

idk is there a law for that

cuz i do that alot and im like 13

Answer 29

In the state of Nebraska, I believe it's 12.  I know it's 12 to be able to take care of your siblings.

Answer 30

Most states do not have a law.

Answer 31

you can find minimum age for each state here http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-ki... or  Call Child Welfare Information Gateway at 800-394-3366 to learn about age guidelines in your area.

In some states there is no minimum in others it runs from about 8-12 years old.