What age can a child be left at home alone?

Question

My son is 11 I felt it ok to leave him at home for half an hour but his Dad disagrees? What do other people do??

Answer 1

there aren't many laws on age of leaving a minor at home..only the states of Illinois and Maryland.... I believe...

I guess it just depends on maturity and how much you trust your son.

Answer 2

My mom started leaving me alone with my baby brother when I was 9 to run down the street and pick up groceries for half an hour or so. However, she freaks out about leaving my brother home alone now and he's 12. She still expects me to change my plans and be available to babysit. I think its because I was a lot more mature and responsible than my brother is. It really just depends on the kid. If you feel he is able to do it, then it should be okay. Especially now a days since everyone has a cell phone and he can get in touch with you. When I was left alone with my baby brother, it was 1996, before cell phones became commonplace.

Answer 3

Oh yes that seems perfectly reasonable. When I was 12 my mom left me home alone (with a dog) for 12 days. I was fine. As long as the kid knows what to and not to do, emergency protocol, and which house to go to if there's a problem

Answer 4

The law in the U.S. is 13 (I think) for limited amounts of time.  Beyond the law it really depends on how reliable one is. Do you have to ask more than once?  Does he ever not hear you? Is he mischievous? Can he be trusted with adult type tasks?  Is he currently able to use the stove/cook top responsibly?  Does he have an emergency contact? Are you in a neighborhood where neighbors will contact you in crisis? As you can see there are many factors involved in responsibility for you and him as well as accountability for both. Hope this helps and is a blessing to your dilemma.

Answer 5

Illinois law states that children under 14 need to be adequately supervised. That does not mean they could never be left alone or could not be baby sitters. But the law states that any evaluation of whether children were properly cared for should take into account whether they were left without supervision for more than 24 hours, whether the weather was especially severe or whether the children were asked to care for younger siblings,

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.ht...

According to Maryland law a child 8 years of age and older can stay home alone. Under 8 they must have a babysitter who is 13 or older.

http://www.djs.state.md.us/faq.html#faq0...

Common sense and the law

If a child is not ready to be left alone it can be a sad, lonely, frightening and dangerous experience. There are many possible risks, both physical and emotional, which could affect your child in a negative way.

http://www.oldham.gov.uk/ocfs-child-c23s...

Answer 6

Luckily I'm not there yet, my oldest is 3.  I think it depends on your child.  Is he mature enough to handle being alone.  Do you trust him to leave the oven off?  Does he know what channels should not be turned on?  Would he be responsible in an emergency?  My mom started at 11.  She would give me the safety speech, and then go out for 20 minutes.  She gradually increased the amount of time out.  Good luck!  Talk to his dad and see what/when he is comfortable.

Answer 7

some children are responsible enough and some aren't.