At what age is it okay???

Question

At what age is it okay for a a male boy to stay at home alone for a couple hours by himself?

I am sure most of it depends on maturity level and he is quite mature when he knws he has to be.

Also is it okay for them to be left at the house on Halloween handing out candy?

Thanks for the opinions.

Answer 1

Check out this link.   It depends on your state.

As for Halloween - I guess it would depend on the kind of people that come to your home.  I would not allow my kid to stay home alone.  You would never forgive yourself if something happened.

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

Answer 2

Yeah, each state is different.  Plus, like you said, it all depends on the child's maturity.  How will he behave?  Will he know what to do (and be able to do it) in an emergency?

As for the Halloween thing...I wouldn't leave my child alone.  You don't know what sort of crazy people are out that night.

Answer 3

I think staying inside and calling and checking in every hour is ok when they are about 8. staying home alone is alot different then handing out candy... they should never be left in the house to hand out candy less someone is home with them. I would say for the candy, atleast 14!

I know alot of people are going to be mad... but i was walking home at 5 and no one was home. I let myself in and closed the door... did not open it to anyone. i knew better.  

Answer 4

Despite the legal issues I think it depends on the maturity of the child and the circumstances of them being left alone.  I wouldn't recommend over night for anyone that isn't at least 16 years and mature about the situation.

Answer 5

12. Halloween...Probably a little older.

Answer 6

His pre-teen years. For my brothers it was the age of 10 or a little younger because the oldest was ridiculously responsible for a child and there were two of them. For me (I'm not a boy) it was 11 for about 1-2 maybe 3 hours. As I got older, my parents let me stay home alone more. (I'd just gotten a german shepard though, so I think my parents felt a little safer) As for halloween, if he's 15, yeah, sure. But it's dangerous if he's not a teenager yet. If he's a pre-teen, maybe twelve, tell him to have a lot of lights on and the tv/radio, just so there is noise and people don't think he's alone. On halloween, it's not him you after trust but the people coming to the door and taking candy. It's probably the easiest way to get kidnapped. (Maybe he could do it for the younger kids only, like 6-8. There will be a lot of parents walking around who will say something if they think something is wrong. That or just leave the candy in a bowl on the porch w/ a sign that says, take one.)