10 year Old Home Alone?

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Hope you feel better Snowangel.

I was able to leave my ds alone at 10, but not my dd, because she wasn't ready yet. It really depends on the child and circumstances.

Good luck.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I started leaving DS at 10 for a run to the food store. Took the cell phone and called him to check on him. Day care can be a problem. I know in FL the center opened at 7 a.m. It was okay for the job I had about 2 miles away. Now I drive 32 miles to work. But I've lucked out and have a center nearby that opens at 6 a.m. The problem is they close at 6 p.m., and I'm not always there by then. Sometimes a Friday drive can get me off the highway at 6:15. So now he stays with a neighbor after school. She's the one telling me to loosen the strings. He stops at home to take the pups outside, then changes and goes to her house. It works. And there was one day he was sick (he's 12 now.) She came by to check on him and called him a couple times that day...along with me calling him. Would I have let him stay without her checking? Absolutely not. I'd be taking days off from work if I didn't have her around!

Hope it works out for you!! It's tough!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You answered your own question, she has proven that she is not mature enough to handle the responsibility. I hope you can find alternate arrangements.

I am sorry you had a bad week...hopefully next week will be better.

Ditto....

I worked up to it. Like a trip to the gas station, run to the store for a few items, etc...When we were confident it was allowed for her to stay home which ended up to be in 6th grade at 11yo. But that was only for trips to the store and stuff.

If it was because I was at work I would make alternate arrangements, unless I had no choice (for whatever reason) then I would give her alot of "crash courses" in "staying at home".

 

[Keli]

I'd be as concerned about my dd not telling me the school stopped by as I would about the fact she opened the door in the first place. Did she recognize the school personnel? Maybe that's why she felt it was ok to answer but the not telling your about it, well, that is reason for concern to me. Also, how did your neighbor know she was home alone? I'm wondering if something more than you currently know about could have happened. DD would be getting the third degree from me right now, lol.

Either way I think that your dd isn't quite mature enough to handle being home alone just yet. But this could be a very good learning experience for her.

 

[Sleepy]

You should have done what I did.....a test. First day you decide to leave the house, go away for about 25 minutes, return and knock on the door. See what she does. Same could be done for the phone. Leave the house and go to a pay phone.

 

[Rasta_Chik]

When I was around ten my mom started letting me stay @ home by myself and we both agree that Ive always been really mature about it when I was younger than that if I was sick and she had to work shed try to get off early so Id more than likely still be asleep. However my sister first stayed home by herself at ten and she called the police, no one knows why, and then freaked out when they got there and wouldnt let them in...It was a big mess! Shes 13 now and still cant stay at home by herself so it really depends on the kid when they are mature enough to stay at home

 

[SC Minnie]

DD 10 stays at home for an hour after school. She will be in 6th grade next year and daycare doesn't take kids from middle school. There are no after school programs for middle school. I felt it was better to let her stay home in 5th grade while we had the option of daycare if it didn't work out. We have neighbors that are around during the day as well as DH and I both are less than 5 minutes away. She also knows the rules.

My brother and I stayed home alone all day during the summer and after school when I was 5 and he was 9. It depends on the children and on how close an adult is if the child needs something.

 

[va32h]

I stayed home alone from the age of 9 on, but I don't think my dd, who is now 9 will be ready for that anytime soon. Behavior-wise, she'd be fine, but she has a vivid imagination, and is quite dramatic - she'd be hearing burglars everytime the house creaked! She also doesn't react well under pressure. If someone came to the door, I fear she would panic, no matter what the circumstance.