Home Alone

My son is still too young but at what age did you start allowing your child to stay home alone for short periods of time?

My husband and I were having this conversation yesterday.

Re: Home Alone

At around 10 for short periods- like I'm running up to Dunkin Donuts for a coffee or running down the block to drop something off.

She's 11 now and I will leave her for longer- up to an hour so- during the day- when we won't be too far.
Or if I have to run to a work event and DH is still at the gym or something and we are crossing for like up to an hour where she'd be alone

She has a cell phone now too so I feel better that I can text and check in and she can reach us quickly if needed

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My DD is 13 now, we leave her alone for maybe 3 hrs at most right now but she's very responsible. We also just started leaving her home with our DS who is almost 9, the longest she's watched him was for 20ish minutes.

Home Alone

I think it depends on your kid. If you have one who is very responsible at a young age and knows from right and wrong then i don't think it matters what age. I've left youngest when she was 5 to go to the corner store for 15 mins. She is also smarter and knows how to do things most kids her age have no clue how to do.

Home Alone

I started letting DS 1 stay home when he was 10. I did it for DS 1 and 2 when they were 10 and 8 because while DH was working, I didn't want to bring them out during the beginning of Covid if we needed something.

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I think around 10/11. They had no choice when middle school started so that was about that age.

I actually trust my youngest more than the oldest now and the youngest is still a teen.

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i think 10 maybe 9 though lol and its my DD.

she just turned 11 on the first.


She is responsible enough. i have left her for more than 2 hours uninteninally at first. had to take my DS to the dr she couldnt come DH was at work. didnt realize how far it was and of course god forbid they took us on time!!! she was fine.

told her if any issues just to knock next door but my DH checked in on her through out alexas lol and i texted her lol

after that i did it more often like i had a wake and funeral and didnt make it back in time from school or had to leave before my DH got home and just let her stay.


I do not leave my DS with her cause i dont trust them not killing each other though have started for quick 15 minute top trips or maybe a little longer (like running to pick up food or running to the school to grab something etc)


I dont think my DS would be mature enough at 10 to be by himself or would want to. Def. not at 9 lol he is 8 now and he is still very immature for his age!

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Around 11 but he’s immature and even that age was suspect for us. But so far he’s still alive and our house is always intact when we get back.

Home Alone

I would leave DD now for a 1/2 hr or so- she's 9 1/2, but very mature. DH thinks she's too young though.

Home Alone

My kids are not very responsible and also have special needs so i leave them alone very infrequently. At most 20 minutes. I really think it depends on the children. Sometimes 10 year olds are more responsible and capable than an 15 year old. When I was young, I stayed home and watched my younger sister starting at 10 years old every day.

Home Alone

Thanks everyone.

Our DS is very mature/responsible, but still too young. I asked him today how he would feel staying home and he said scared. This is the same kid who asked for a house key the other day though so he could get off the bus by himself so he’s all over the place.

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Re: Home Alone

Posted by Sash

Around 11 but he’s immature and even that age was suspect for us. But so far he’s still alive and our house is always intact when we get back.

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Home Alone

We left our son home for short periods around 10. He's 12 now and he's home for long periods when his dad is working, and I'll leave him alone when I meet friends for dinner. I think the latest I've left him was 10pm.

He's fine alone - he's mostly just playing video games or watching YouTube. He has a way to reach us both (text or call) and he has friends near his dad's house, and my neighbor is a nurse.

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When DS1 started 6th grade (10 turning 11), he was home by himself after school for several hours.

He’s 13 now and will watch DD (4) sometimes for an hour or so, usually while she’s sleeping. I don’t leave him with DS2 (9) though for more than 15-30 minutes because they’re more likely to fight.