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Millie3
LIF Adult
Member since 7/13 1280 total posts
Name:
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Posted by stinger
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by busymomonli
My kids are 12 and 15 and stay home all day alone. They did it last year as well. They are totally fine. My oldest has a part time job in the evenings (when I am home to take her) and my youngest got too bored with camp. And, to be honest, I am not going to pay almost full price for him to be a CIT and do all the grunt work! (I personally think a CIT should be free, but whatever).
Aside from being a little bored at times, they have been doing great. They make their own lunch, call me if they need something, and know that neighbors are there (if they have an emergency). My daughter got a lot of summer work for her upcoming AP classes, so she uses the days to work on it.
This is more IME also with kids these ages.
I think it is hard for parents whose kids are not of age yet to pick an age and I get that. I do think that a little at a time is so much better than, go get out now, you are 18 and should be independent lol. I don't know how you get that way without being able to do things throughout the years.
Agree. Never say never until you are there. I think the 12 and 15 yo siblings is perfectly reasonable.
And this thread is now making me thinking of the effects that "helicopter" parenting has had on our society and kids who are entering and out of college now.
Oh stop. Kids these days are very smart , hard working, and making great money right out of college. Many younger employees are making more than their parents! You give a kid the right tools, they will be successful. Being home all day is not a tool. It's convenient for the parent.
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Posted 7/29/15 8:24 AM  |
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MrsM84
LIF Adult
Member since 2/13 2352 total posts
Name:
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What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
I feel like I was left home alone all day around 11 or 12. I knew all the rules (don't answer the door to anyone you don't know, never tell someone on the phone you are home alone, etc.) and my parents had to go to work. Neighbors were aware I was home alone and would often check up on me, ask if I'd like to come over for lunch, go swimming in their pool, etc. My mom called frequently to make sure I was okay and I knew to call her if there was anything I needed. I entertained myself with no problem and was usually left with 1 or 2 chores to do around the house to help out (unload dishwasher, water flowers, walk dog, fold laundry). Mom came home around 4:30-5ish. Dad not until 7-7:30ish.
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| Posted 7/29/15 8:33 AM |
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busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2050 total posts
Name:
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by stinger
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by busymomonli
My kids are 12 and 15 and stay home all day alone. They did it last year as well. They are totally fine. My oldest has a part time job in the evenings (when I am home to take her) and my youngest got too bored with camp. And, to be honest, I am not going to pay almost full price for him to be a CIT and do all the grunt work! (I personally think a CIT should be free, but whatever).
Aside from being a little bored at times, they have been doing great. They make their own lunch, call me if they need something, and know that neighbors are there (if they have an emergency). My daughter got a lot of summer work for her upcoming AP classes, so she uses the days to work on it.
This is more IME also with kids these ages.
I think it is hard for parents whose kids are not of age yet to pick an age and I get that. I do think that a little at a time is so much better than, go get out now, you are 18 and should be independent lol. I don't know how you get that way without being able to do things throughout the years.
Agree. Never say never until you are there. I think the 12 and 15 yo siblings is perfectly reasonable.
And this thread is now making me thinking of the effects that "helicopter" parenting has had on our society and kids who are entering and out of college now.
Exactly. I was reading a board one time, can't remember where but it was not here as there were a lot of men on it but the question was, what age would you allow your child to go to the mall with their friends. I was amazed at these answers. 18, 21. I really hope they were not serious but many were. How do you hold your kid back for that many years and then expect them to go live on their own. I was married at 21 lol.
I definitely agree with this. There are moms on my local FB group that still, at 15, will not let their child go to the mall with friends. My daughter went for the first time at 12. She was completely responsible and mature and I felt like she could handle it. Would I let my son go at 12? Probably not. He is nowhere near her maturity level at 12. Luckily, he has absolutely no desire.
This year, at 15, my daughter went away to a college psychology program at Gettysburg College, stayed in the dorms, found her way around campus, used her meal card. The only problem that came up was that she didn't want to come home! I totally felt like she will be more than ready for college when it gets here. She's been taught independence from the start.
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| Posted 7/29/15 8:39 AM |
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Posted by Millie3
Posted by stinger
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by busymomonli
My kids are 12 and 15 and stay home all day alone. They did it last year as well. They are totally fine. My oldest has a part time job in the evenings (when I am home to take her) and my youngest got too bored with camp. And, to be honest, I am not going to pay almost full price for him to be a CIT and do all the grunt work! (I personally think a CIT should be free, but whatever).
Aside from being a little bored at times, they have been doing great. They make their own lunch, call me if they need something, and know that neighbors are there (if they have an emergency). My daughter got a lot of summer work for her upcoming AP classes, so she uses the days to work on it.
This is more IME also with kids these ages.
I think it is hard for parents whose kids are not of age yet to pick an age and I get that. I do think that a little at a time is so much better than, go get out now, you are 18 and should be independent lol. I don't know how you get that way without being able to do things throughout the years.
Agree. Never say never until you are there. I think the 12 and 15 yo siblings is perfectly reasonable.
And this thread is now making me thinking of the effects that "helicopter" parenting has had on our society and kids who are entering and out of college now.
Oh stop. Kids these days are very smart , hard working, and making great money right out of college. Many younger employees are making more than their parents! You give a kid the right tools, they will be successful. Being home all day is not a tool. It's convenient for the parent.
Giving them a little bit of independence each year of their young lives makes them successful and able to take care of themselves and figure things out without mommy doing everything for them.
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| Posted 7/29/15 8:43 AM |
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HomeIsWithU
Baby #2 on the way!
Member since 9/07 7816 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
At 12 or 13 I was coming home after school and watching my younger brother until mom got home from work. By 14 I was babysitting neighbors kids (young babies no less). I think as adults sometimes we forget how mature kids can be by their early teens. Depending on the child, I would consider leaving them home all day at 14 or 15. Lets not forget that at 14 they can get their working papers. IMO if they're mature enough to get a job, then they're mature enough to take care of themselves at home for a day.
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| Posted 7/29/15 8:45 AM |
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Posted by busymomonli
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by stinger
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by busymomonli
My kids are 12 and 15 and stay home all day alone. They did it last year as well. They are totally fine. My oldest has a part time job in the evenings (when I am home to take her) and my youngest got too bored with camp. And, to be honest, I am not going to pay almost full price for him to be a CIT and do all the grunt work! (I personally think a CIT should be free, but whatever).
Aside from being a little bored at times, they have been doing great. They make their own lunch, call me if they need something, and know that neighbors are there (if they have an emergency). My daughter got a lot of summer work for her upcoming AP classes, so she uses the days to work on it.
This is more IME also with kids these ages.
I think it is hard for parents whose kids are not of age yet to pick an age and I get that. I do think that a little at a time is so much better than, go get out now, you are 18 and should be independent lol. I don't know how you get that way without being able to do things throughout the years.
Agree. Never say never until you are there. I think the 12 and 15 yo siblings is perfectly reasonable.
And this thread is now making me thinking of the effects that "helicopter" parenting has had on our society and kids who are entering and out of college now.
Exactly. I was reading a board one time, can't remember where but it was not here as there were a lot of men on it but the question was, what age would you allow your child to go to the mall with their friends. I was amazed at these answers. 18, 21. I really hope they were not serious but many were. How do you hold your kid back for that many years and then expect them to go live on their own. I was married at 21 lol.
I definitely agree with this. There are moms on my local FB group that still, at 15, will not let their child go to the mall with friends. My daughter went for the first time at 12. She was completely responsible and mature and I felt like she could handle it. Would I let my son go at 12? Probably not. He is nowhere near her maturity level at 12. Luckily, he has absolutely no desire.
This year, at 15, my daughter went away to a college psychology program at Gettysburg College, stayed in the dorms, found her way around campus, used her meal card. The only problem that came up was that she didn't want to come home! I totally felt like she will be more than ready for college when it gets here. She's been taught independence from the start.
My child is like that too. They are so ready to go away to college. But they are the type that I allowed them to do a little each year and they just get up and go on their own places and are able to take care of themselves at home.
You can't just throw your child out in the wild and expect them to be able to do things on their own if they have never done it before. My mother did everything for us as she was a SAHM for 20 years. It took me longer when I moved out to learn how to do things and I don't want that for my kids. I want them to feel confident that they can take care of themselves and other things without having to call me to ask how to do it.
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| Posted 7/29/15 8:46 AM |
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jlm2008
LIF Adult
Member since 1/10 5092 total posts
Name:
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Posted by stinger
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by busymomonli
My kids are 12 and 15 and stay home all day alone. They did it last year as well. They are totally fine. My oldest has a part time job in the evenings (when I am home to take her) and my youngest got too bored with camp. And, to be honest, I am not going to pay almost full price for him to be a CIT and do all the grunt work! (I personally think a CIT should be free, but whatever).
Aside from being a little bored at times, they have been doing great. They make their own lunch, call me if they need something, and know that neighbors are there (if they have an emergency). My daughter got a lot of summer work for her upcoming AP classes, so she uses the days to work on it.
This is more IME also with kids these ages.
I think it is hard for parents whose kids are not of age yet to pick an age and I get that. I do think that a little at a time is so much better than, go get out now, you are 18 and should be independent lol. I don't know how you get that way without being able to do things throughout the years.
Agree. Never say never until you are there. I think the 12 and 15 yo siblings is perfectly reasonable.
And this thread is now making me thinking of the effects that "helicopter" parenting has had on our society and kids who are entering and out of college now.
Ding ding ding, we have a winner! I work in a Law School, grads are 25 if not a bit older. Mommy and Daddy still call here for their "children" because these 25 yr old adults can't do anything by themselves!!!!
But to answer OP, I think I was about 12 when I stayed home alone all day.
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| Posted 7/29/15 10:01 AM |
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Posted by jlm2008
Posted by stinger
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by busymomonli
My kids are 12 and 15 and stay home all day alone. They did it last year as well. They are totally fine. My oldest has a part time job in the evenings (when I am home to take her) and my youngest got too bored with camp. And, to be honest, I am not going to pay almost full price for him to be a CIT and do all the grunt work! (I personally think a CIT should be free, but whatever).
Aside from being a little bored at times, they have been doing great. They make their own lunch, call me if they need something, and know that neighbors are there (if they have an emergency). My daughter got a lot of summer work for her upcoming AP classes, so she uses the days to work on it.
This is more IME also with kids these ages.
I think it is hard for parents whose kids are not of age yet to pick an age and I get that. I do think that a little at a time is so much better than, go get out now, you are 18 and should be independent lol. I don't know how you get that way without being able to do things throughout the years.
Agree. Never say never until you are there. I think the 12 and 15 yo siblings is perfectly reasonable.
And this thread is now making me thinking of the effects that "helicopter" parenting has had on our society and kids who are entering and out of college now.
Ding ding ding, we have a winner! I work in a Law School, grads are 25 if not a bit older. Mommy and Daddy still call here for their "children" because these 25 yr old adults can't do anything by themselves!!!!
But to answer OP, I think I was about 12 when I stayed home alone all day.
So true. I hear this more and more about parents with kids in college trying to call about their grades and coming running to their rescue.
Our jobs are to raise our children to be able to take care of themselves and it doesn't just start when they are 18. It has to be a process.
I have to even explain this to my own mother who thinks a mother's job is to do everything for their kids and don't understand why I have taught my oldest to do their own laundry (which they usually don't anyway but can and has before).
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| Posted 7/29/15 10:43 AM |
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Seawolf
LIF Adult
Member since 3/14 1336 total posts
Name:
Scrumba
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Am I the only person here who babysat for $$ when I was in, like, 6th grade??
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| Posted 7/29/15 10:45 AM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by jlm2008
Posted by stinger
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by busymomonli
My kids are 12 and 15 and stay home all day alone. They did it last year as well. They are totally fine. My oldest has a part time job in the evenings (when I am home to take her) and my youngest got too bored with camp. And, to be honest, I am not going to pay almost full price for him to be a CIT and do all the grunt work! (I personally think a CIT should be free, but whatever).
Aside from being a little bored at times, they have been doing great. They make their own lunch, call me if they need something, and know that neighbors are there (if they have an emergency). My daughter got a lot of summer work for her upcoming AP classes, so she uses the days to work on it.
This is more IME also with kids these ages.
I think it is hard for parents whose kids are not of age yet to pick an age and I get that. I do think that a little at a time is so much better than, go get out now, you are 18 and should be independent lol. I don't know how you get that way without being able to do things throughout the years.
Agree. Never say never until you are there. I think the 12 and 15 yo siblings is perfectly reasonable.
And this thread is now making me thinking of the effects that "helicopter" parenting has had on our society and kids who are entering and out of college now.
Ding ding ding, we have a winner! I work in a Law School, grads are 25 if not a bit older. Mommy and Daddy still call here for their "children" because these 25 yr old adults can't do anything by themselves!!!!
But to answer OP, I think I was about 12 when I stayed home alone all day.
So true. I hear this more and more about parents with kids in college trying to call about their grades and coming running to their rescue.
Our jobs are to raise our children to be able to take care of themselves and it doesn't just start when they are 18. It has to be a process.
I have to even explain this to my own mother who thinks a mother's job is to do everything for their kids and don't understand why I have taught my oldest to do their own laundry (which they usually don't anyway but can and has before).
My coworker realized when she went back to work FT when kids were well into high school that she did too much for them. Her 16yo called her to ask her how to reheat leftovers in the microwave!!
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| Posted 7/29/15 10:47 AM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Posted by Seawolf
Am I the only person here who babysat for $$ when I was in, like, 6th grade??
By 7th grade I was babysitting sat nights and also during the summer I sat for a baby and her 2 brothers during the day.
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| Posted 7/29/15 10:48 AM |
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busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2050 total posts
Name:
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What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
My 15 year old is working two jobs right now. One at McDonalds, and she babysits twice weekly (going on two years now). She's a go getter and I think she'll have no problem adapting to real life. She does her own laundry and even has her own debit card!
My 12 year old needs some work. Boys are different though, and he won't do things unless I tell him too. He is the one I'm worried will live with me until he's 40.
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| Posted 7/29/15 10:52 AM |
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jlm2008
LIF Adult
Member since 1/10 5092 total posts
Name:
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Posted by Seawolf
Am I the only person here who babysat for $$ when I was in, like, 6th grade??
No, you weren't. I was around that age when I started babysitting for a 1 yr old with Cystic Fibrosis, full days!
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| Posted 7/29/15 10:55 AM |
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Pomegranate5
LIF Adult
Member since 2/11 4798 total posts
Name:
Pomegranate5
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Posted by Seawolf
Am I the only person here who babysat for $$ when I was in, like, 6th grade??
Yes!
Not to mention I have left my two small children with a very responsible 15 year old for the day so I can't imagine not trusting my own child to care for themselves at that age.
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| Posted 7/29/15 10:56 AM |
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Posted by Seawolf
Am I the only person here who babysat for $$ when I was in, like, 6th grade??
Not sure what age I was but maybe 13/14 and I did every weekend for awhile and many NYE's.
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| Posted 7/29/15 11:05 AM |
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Posted by stinger
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by jlm2008
Posted by stinger
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by busymomonli
My kids are 12 and 15 and stay home all day alone. They did it last year as well. They are totally fine. My oldest has a part time job in the evenings (when I am home to take her) and my youngest got too bored with camp. And, to be honest, I am not going to pay almost full price for him to be a CIT and do all the grunt work! (I personally think a CIT should be free, but whatever).
Aside from being a little bored at times, they have been doing great. They make their own lunch, call me if they need something, and know that neighbors are there (if they have an emergency). My daughter got a lot of summer work for her upcoming AP classes, so she uses the days to work on it.
This is more IME also with kids these ages.
I think it is hard for parents whose kids are not of age yet to pick an age and I get that. I do think that a little at a time is so much better than, go get out now, you are 18 and should be independent lol. I don't know how you get that way without being able to do things throughout the years.
Agree. Never say never until you are there. I think the 12 and 15 yo siblings is perfectly reasonable.
And this thread is now making me thinking of the effects that "helicopter" parenting has had on our society and kids who are entering and out of college now.
Ding ding ding, we have a winner! I work in a Law School, grads are 25 if not a bit older. Mommy and Daddy still call here for their "children" because these 25 yr old adults can't do anything by themselves!!!!
But to answer OP, I think I was about 12 when I stayed home alone all day.
So true. I hear this more and more about parents with kids in college trying to call about their grades and coming running to their rescue.
Our jobs are to raise our children to be able to take care of themselves and it doesn't just start when they are 18. It has to be a process.
I have to even explain this to my own mother who thinks a mother's job is to do everything for their kids and don't understand why I have taught my oldest to do their own laundry (which they usually don't anyway but can and has before).
My coworker realized when she went back to work FT when kids were well into high school that she did too much for them. Her 16yo called her to ask her how to reheat leftovers in the microwave!!
Oh my lololol.
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| Posted 7/29/15 11:05 AM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
My older DS is 8, almost 9 and I will let him stay home while I run an errand or two. But I won't leave my younger DS who is 5 home with him. I would think that by the time they're 10 and 7 I will leave them together for short times. And for longer periods by 12 and 9. Obviously they will have to prove that they're responsible enough with the short times before I up the time they're alone. It's super important to me to try to raise responsible and independent children/eventually young men.
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| Posted 7/29/15 11:44 AM |
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curley999
Family!
Member since 5/05 2314 total posts
Name:
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
In NYC many kids commute by themselves to high schools in other boroughs on public transportation typically with transfers. This is around 14 years old. Children need to learn independence and experience different situations to be confident and grow. Staying home is pretty safe.
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| Posted 7/29/15 2:29 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Posted by Seawolf
Am I the only person here who babysat for $$ when I was in, like, 6th grade??
I babysat a 6 month old when i was 12 years old.
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| Posted 7/29/15 2:35 PM |
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StarsStripes
LIF Adult
Member since 12/12 1192 total posts
Name:
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What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
Middle School Age for an hour or two...in HS I would leave them home alone all day. My parents did it all the time, it was fine.
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| Posted 7/29/15 3:49 PM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: What age would you leave kids home alone all day while you work?
12 or 13, that's what we did for my stepson. I think unless you have a child that age you can't really answer the questions. Your parenting changes and evolves as the kids get older. It's differet stages and phases!
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| Posted 7/29/15 7:17 PM |
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