What is the leagal age you start letting your child stay home alone?(in California)

Question

My child is 12 and wants a little independence, always asks if can stay home alone.

Answer 1

From my dad the paralegal:  California law guidelines vary on the issue, but generally at age 11 or 12 a child may be allowed to be at home alone.  This has to be weighed against the child's maturity (having a safety plan if something happens, able to call for help or go to a trusted neighbor for help, etc.)..  You certainly would not leave a child that is impaired and can't care for him/her self.

Due to my medical problems, I didn't get to stay at home alone more than a few hours until i was 16.  Mind you, that was my case and my problems, and is not he same as yours.  If you feel tha your child is responsible an mature enough, you can theoretically allow her to start staying home alone at 10.  Theoretically, mind you.

Answer 2

i recently moved from california where i lived all my life i stayed home alone at about 7 or 8  because of work situations every morning but i believe its 12 thats what it was 6 years ago if not 12 14 but i think its stayed the same  

Answer 3

i just depends on if hes responsible enough.

Answer 4

well i liv in MN and my mom let me stay home wen i was 8

Answer 5

There is no set age. I have been staying home since I was 9 years old-and am 13.

Answer 6

I think 12 is definetly old enough for any kid to stay home alone.  I live in St.Louis, MO and my mom would leave me alone for example, while she went to the store when I was about 9 or 10. I've been staying home for 2+ hours since I was 11.

Just remember to teach her about safety, not answering the door.  My mom let me answer the phone, but that was because we had caller ID.

good luck!

Answer 7

im from PA and my parents let me stay home when i was 7 so i dunno  

Answer 8

i dont think there is a set age, the person in question just has to be mature, so as long as its not child indangerment its not illegal (where i live anyway).

Answer 9

I live in CA too. I started staying home probably when I was in 5th grade because my mom had a part time job and the days she did have work to do, she wouldn't be home until probably 3:30. I was probably 10 or 11.  

Answer 10

im from cali

and apparently

there is no specific legal age limit

it is simply up to the parent to decide whether his/her child is mature enough to be home alone