What age did you leave your child home alone?

Question

My son is 10 years old. I’m wondering if we can leave him alone for a couple of hours.

Accepted Answer

When I worked for CPS, this is some of the questions I’d ask a kid to see if they’re ready:
Are they comfortable being left home alone?
Do they have a phone to be able to reach you? (And know how to use it/know your number)
Do they know what to do in an emergency? (If there’s a fire, if they’re bleeding, if someone is trying to break in, etc)
Do they know that 911 can bring an ambulance, fire truck, and policemen (believe it or not, I’ve found many kids didn’t know 911 could bring all three)
Are there rules about being left home alone and what are those rules (keep the door locked, no playing outside, no using the stove, etc) 
You can ask your kid all these questions. See how they do. If they don’t know the answers to some of these, tell them the answers and then ask them again a few weeks later to see if they’ve retained it. 
Also, check your states laws. Most states don’t actually have any laws surrounding a specific age because it’s more about maturity level than a specific number, but a few states do have laws on this.

Answer

my parents started leaving me home alone in 5th grade, so around 10 or 11. i’d say it really depends on maturity level

Answer

This depends on your state laws and the maturity level of the child.
Where I live it's age 12.

Answer

i wasn’t comfortable home alone until like 13.... have you asked him?

Answer

I think in a lot of states it’s illegal now before the age of 12.

Answer

my sister is 11 and has stayed home by herself this summer while my dad and step mom go to work. her mom doesn’t work too far from the house, so she can get there in 5 minutes if anything happens.

Answer

Not until they’re a teenager. I would say 14.

Answer

🤯🤯🤯🤯

Answer

My parents left me home alone babysitting my siblings (including my sister who was a baby) was I was 11. But I was mature for my age and could handle being by myself. It really depends on the kid I think

Answer

I don’t know about where you live, but around here they offer “Stay Home Alone” type courses for kids to learn safety precautions before they start staying home alone. 😊

What age did you leave your child home alone?

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

25+ million

4.8 stars

20+

Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy

1st Year (Baby & You)

Baby Products