Enough said!Wow. I am kind of suprised at some of the ages (not in an "OMG, you terrible parents" type of way). I still walk my kids to and from school and never thought about leaving them alone. I know ds would be fine. He is 9 and pretty self sufficient, but not dd, and never them together (trouble together!).
I don't consider myself over protective, but I grew up in Chicago, the daughter of a cop.
Who in the world would hire an 11 year old child to babysit??
I thought that was pretty darned hysterical--though it turned out DD and DS were home (I was working) once when the 15 year old was stung by a bee. He called the house in a panic (he was not allergic--but had never been stung) and she knew how to get the stinger out with a credit card (actually her library card), advised taking a Bynadryl (if he is normally allowed to), and put some ice on it for the pain (while staying with him until he was calm and both were convinced he would not have an allergic reaction). I don't think I could have ahndled it any better.
)--two were 16-18 in those years but one was 11-13 and she was fantastic and I never had a worry with her. The last babysitter we ever had before letting the kids stay in their own was in her 50s. She came highly recomended from several people at church adn we had spent quite a bit of time with her. I came home to find the kids in tears becuase she screamed at them for not wanting to learn to play piano (neighbors across the street told ne htey heard the yelling!
) and shse had left the burner on the stove on after making Mac N Cheese. So I guess I can say I am a lot more concerned about teh maturity and responsiblity level of a babysitter than the age.
Who in the world would hire an 11 year old child to babysit??
Poor kid.
Funny that I would find this thread this morning.
We would NEVER leave our kids unattended. My eldest is eleven, still way too young, imho. Most states have laws that state kids under 12 can not be left alone. I know that some have 14 at the legal age.
Just yesterday I was watching Judge Judy where she said no child should be home alone who is 12 or under.
Our situation is with a neighbor kid. He is 9 years old. He is been left alone all summer. No other siblings are still at home. He has practically lived at my house all summer long. I feel sorry for him. He is very lonely and loves to spend time with my sons. He also loves my pantry. lol
My husband has had enough. He wants him banned from the house. I feel very sorry for his situation and always have an open door for him.
He was here all day yesterday. I sent him home when we sat down to eat supper. He sat on our door step and waited for us to finish. When I told him to go home he told me that his mother was out of town and his father was out with his friends to dinner and a concert and wouldn't be returning until late. His dad told him to be home at dark. He came in and played, but I felt terrible sending him home to a dark and empty house.
He was back ringing my door bell at 8am this morning. He came in, woke up my sons and eat breakfast with us. They played video games, where I hear him use inappropriate language. This has been problem with him this summer. After two warnings he did it again and I told him to go home. He walked past me and muttered, "suck it", as he past!
And here I've been his champion all summer!
He actually rang my bell again as I was typing this! He was crying and handed me a note. I thought it would be an apology, but it says he is NEVER coming over again! lol
No way should a kid that young be left alone.
