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Merf99
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3380 total posts
Name:
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How old for kids home alone?
Just wondering what the general consensus is on the age you can leave kids home alone? I know when we were younger, parents left kids alone at like 8! But times are so different now, so what age would you feel comfortable, or have you left your oldest home alone?
I don't think I would want to till my oldest is around 13/14, but I'm very overprotective. My SIL left her 10 year old and 7 year old alone for 2 hours on a weekend morning - she was about a mile away.
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Posted 9/19/12 10:10 AM  |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: How old for kids home alone?
Obviously, it depends on the DC. There's 18yos who shouldn't be left alone...  
I'm thinking around 13 or so, depending on DC, how far away we would be, and how long we would be gone.
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| Posted 9/19/12 10:22 AM |
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Eireann
Two ladies and a gentleman!
Member since 5/05 12165 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old for kids home alone?
As the pp indicated, there are several variables. In addition to the ones mentioned, I think the ages of the oldest as well as youngest make a difference.
My oldest DC turned 7 this month and I could definitely envision me running out for a quick trip to get coffee or whatever when she's about 10. She is super-responsible. However, at that time the youngest will only be 5...so I don't know...
Me and DH going out to dinner alone for 2 hours? Eh, maybe when they're 13, 11 and 8. It's hard to tell right now...
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| Posted 9/19/12 10:37 AM |
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luvmyReese
Hello Kitty
Member since 1/08 7542 total posts
Name:
Catt
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How old for kids home alone?
You know your kid so if you trust them at 8-9-10 ect ect then thats the age. We started at 10. Not very often but if Im running late and he comes home from school, he has a key & know the "Dont do" rules.
I would not leave him home with another child (sister or friend) though.
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| Posted 9/19/12 1:40 PM |
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CrankyPants
I'm cranky
Member since 7/06 18178 total posts
Name:
Mama Cranky
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Re: How old for kids home alone?
Probably never.
My bothers and stopped going to a sitter when I was around 10 (brothers were 12 and 9). I was responsible but honestly my brothers got into tons of trouble and were probably those kids that should never have been left alone even at 18.
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| Posted 9/19/12 3:52 PM |
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JenandMikey
life is good =)
Member since 5/07 4216 total posts
Name:
We're so blessed!
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Re: How old for kids home alone?
Posted by CrankyPants
Probably never.
agreed....but my kids are young right now so I'm not sure what will happen years from now......i was left alone a lot from 11 years old on because summers off while my parents worked and i was home right after school and my parents werent home until 5 or so at night....so i had a couple of hours of mischief lol i put myself in stupid positions.....and overall i was a good kid just made stupid decisions sometimes sooooo i know my girls are good but i dont trust the preadolescent/adolescent/teenage mind since i had one at one time lol sooooo although i dont know what will happen years from now if i change mind but im still going to go with PROBABLY never ...we'll see
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| Posted 9/19/12 4:17 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old for kids home alone?
It depends on the kid.
It's just something that happens. One day, you'll remember something you forgot at the store & the kids will be in pjs, watching TV. You know that they are rule followers, won't open the door or answer the phone unless it's you. You will trust that your kid will follow the rules. Than you'll think to yourself "I'll just run out to the store for 10 minutes".
It starts with baby steps.
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| Posted 9/19/12 4:41 PM |
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PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
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Re: How old for kids home alone?
I have 2 boys, 17 months apart, best friends, partners in crime, so...
NEVER!!!
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| Posted 9/19/12 8:37 PM |
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petunias
LIF Infant
Member since 4/12 295 total posts
Name:
Petunia
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Re: How old for kids home alone?
Usually middle school (6th grade-11 yrs. old) as there is no after-care available for the kids.
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| Posted 9/20/12 1:29 PM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old for kids home alone?
I think it depends on for how long and for what reason and like others said the maturity of the kid?
Every day after school? Nope! My sister and I did bad things when we in HIGH SCHOOL during after school time!
I hear that the older kids get there is more reason for them to be supervised, even if it's sports/clubs. If not they may be "hanging out on the street", experimenting with drugs, sex, etc. In fact, this after school time period is when stats show the worst things happen to kids/they do the worst things (I guess adolescents and teens).
That's not say that all kids are like this, or that I would never leave my kids alone for short periods of time to run and errand, etc. It's also important that they feel that I trust them.
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| Posted 9/20/12 3:31 PM |
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petunias
LIF Infant
Member since 4/12 295 total posts
Name:
Petunia
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Re: How old for kids home alone?
Posted by stinger
I think it depends on for how long and for what reason and like others said the maturity of the kid?
Every day after school? Nope! My sister and I did bad things when we in HIGH SCHOOL during after school time!
I hear that the older kids get there is more reason for them to be supervised, even if it's sports/clubs. If not they may be "hanging out on the street", experimenting with drugs, sex, etc. In fact, this after school time period is when stats show the worst things happen to kids/they do the worst things (I guess adolescents and teens).
That's not say that all kids are like this, or that I would never leave my kids alone for short periods of time to run and errand, etc. It's also important that they feel that I trust them.
If both parents work, what would you do with a child who is in middle school and high school then everyday after school? There are only so many sports and activities they can go to between the time school ends and many parents come home.
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| Posted 9/20/12 3:47 PM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old for kids home alone?
Posted by petunias
Posted by stinger
I think it depends on for how long and for what reason and like others said the maturity of the kid?
Every day after school? Nope! My sister and I did bad things when we in HIGH SCHOOL during after school time!
I hear that the older kids get there is more reason for them to be supervised, even if it's sports/clubs. If not they may be "hanging out on the street", experimenting with drugs, sex, etc. In fact, this after school time period is when stats show the worst things happen to kids/they do the worst things (I guess adolescents and teens).
That's not say that all kids are like this, or that I would never leave my kids alone for short periods of time to run and errand, etc. It's also important that they feel that I trust them.
If both parents work, what would you do with a child who is in middle school and high school then everyday after school? There are only so many sports and activities they can go to between the time school ends and many parents come home.
I honestly don't know. I'm a single mom so I'm worried for when that time comes. I just pray that my girls are mature and responsible enough and don't hang out with the wrong kids 
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| Posted 9/20/12 4:10 PM |
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petunias
LIF Infant
Member since 4/12 295 total posts
Name:
Petunia
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Re: How old for kids home alone?
Posted by stinger
Posted by petunias
Posted by stinger
I think it depends on for how long and for what reason and like others said the maturity of the kid?
Every day after school? Nope! My sister and I did bad things when we in HIGH SCHOOL during after school time!
I hear that the older kids get there is more reason for them to be supervised, even if it's sports/clubs. If not they may be "hanging out on the street", experimenting with drugs, sex, etc. In fact, this after school time period is when stats show the worst things happen to kids/they do the worst things (I guess adolescents and teens).
That's not say that all kids are like this, or that I would never leave my kids alone for short periods of time to run and errand, etc. It's also important that they feel that I trust them.
If both parents work, what would you do with a child who is in middle school and high school then everyday after school? There are only so many sports and activities they can go to between the time school ends and many parents come home.
I honestly don't know. I'm a single mom so I'm worried for when that time comes. I just pray that my girls are mature and responsible enough and don't hang out with the wrong kids
Communication is the biggest key. As long as you are in their lives and know what they are doing and do NOT try to be their BFF, you are doing good.
When kids come home alone, there needs to be rules. They need to know they can not have friends over or can not go out. If you start that young enough, they will respect you and have you more involved in their lives and will let you know who they are hanging out with and where they are going.
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| Posted 9/20/12 4:55 PM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old for kids home alone?
Posted by petunias
Posted by stinger
Posted by petunias
Posted by stinger
I think it depends on for how long and for what reason and like others said the maturity of the kid?
Every day after school? Nope! My sister and I did bad things when we in HIGH SCHOOL during after school time!
I hear that the older kids get there is more reason for them to be supervised, even if it's sports/clubs. If not they may be "hanging out on the street", experimenting with drugs, sex, etc. In fact, this after school time period is when stats show the worst things happen to kids/they do the worst things (I guess adolescents and teens).
That's not say that all kids are like this, or that I would never leave my kids alone for short periods of time to run and errand, etc. It's also important that they feel that I trust them.
If both parents work, what would you do with a child who is in middle school and high school then everyday after school? There are only so many sports and activities they can go to between the time school ends and many parents come home.
I honestly don't know. I'm a single mom so I'm worried for when that time comes. I just pray that my girls are mature and responsible enough and don't hang out with the wrong kids
Communication is the biggest key. As long as you are in their lives and know what they are doing and do NOT try to be their BFF, you are doing good.
When kids come home alone, there needs to be rules. They need to know they can not have friends over or can not go out. If you start that young enough, they will respect you and have you more involved in their lives and will let you know who they are hanging out with and where they are going.
You are right. I am going by my personal experience: my mom didn't live with us and my father was never home. There was NO communication.
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| Posted 9/20/12 6:57 PM |
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OffWithHerHead23
Keep passing the open windows
Member since 10/06 3627 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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How old for kids home alone?
My DS is 11 and in 7th grade. Last year, we started experimenting with leaving him home for very short periods of time (like, 15 minutes at first). We have gradually upped the time to about an hour and a half. Never left him for longer than that so far. I would not leave him in charge of the other kids... My girls are crazy and he's not responsible enough for that.
It really, truly depends on the child.
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| Posted 9/20/12 7:53 PM |
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petunias
LIF Infant
Member since 4/12 295 total posts
Name:
Petunia
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Re: How old for kids home alone?
Posted by OffWithHerHead23
My DS is 11 and in 7th grade. Last year, we started experimenting with leaving him home for very short periods of time (like, 15 minutes at first). We have gradually upped the time to about an hour and a half. Never left him for longer than that so far. I would not leave him in charge of the other kids... My girls are crazy and he's not responsible enough for that.
It really, truly depends on the child.
I agree that it depends on the child but since there is no care after elementary school, most parents need to leave their kids at home for longer periods of time everyday.
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| Posted 9/20/12 8:29 PM |
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