Home alone?

[starwishing]

I was wondering how old were your children when you first started leaving them home alone??? (Like for an hour to run to the grocery store, for a few hours to go to the movies, or what about overnight?) My ds is seventeen, & will be turning 18 in a couple weeks, and I have honestly never let him stay home alone over night!!! YES, I am aware of the fact that he will be going off on his own soon to college, and starting his life! My dd is 12 & I have never even ran to a grocery store without her, (unless her brother is watching her) and it got me thinking about other parents, and if I am as uptight as my kids say I am!!!

 

[Holy Mackerel!]

My oldest son was 10 for the 1st time. just about 1/2 hour

 

[beck0321]

I'm not a mother, but I know my mom left us around 11 or 12 all day during summer. However, we had a nieghbor that was a SAHM so we could always go to her if we needed something urgently. We lived in a small neighborhood that consisted of a block basically and everyone knew each other. Also my sister was 9 or 10 at the time, but I watched after her. It really wasn't a big deal at all.

 

[mickeyboat]

I was staying home at around 10, and babysitting my baby brother alone at 11. I can't imagine leaving my kids alone at those ages, though. I traveled on a plane by myself on a two week trip to a friend's house when I was 17.

I would say 12 and 18 would be plenty old enough to leave alone for longer periods of time. The 18 year old should be able to stay overnight alone.

Denae

 

[noodleknitter]

11 ish. Depended on the kid.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

We're going throught this now. My DsD will be 11 soon and we're trying to decide when we start loosening to reins and leave her alone for a bit. I was home alone at 9 years old (latch key kid) everyday after school from about 3 until my parents got home around 6. But, that was 30 years ago and times, they are a changin'. I'm more protective because she's my DsD and if anything happened, I don't know how I would ever look my husband or her mother in the eye. I couldn't live with myself.

 

[Hedy]

I'm 22, and my parents started letting me stay home when I was 11 (about to start 6th grade). I started babysitting at 12.

 

[joshsmom]

I was staying home at around 10, and babysitting my baby brother alone at 11. I can't imagine leaving my kids alone at those ages, though.Denae

Me too, only I had two younger sisters I was watching. However, that was 27 years ago!!! My DS is 10 and I have left him home alone to run to my mom's (in the same town, not gone more than 15-20 minutes) and he's fine with that. I don't think I would leave him home alone while I went grocery shopping--not yet. He says he's not comfortable with that. He will be 11 in January and I am going to let him take the lead. As he is more comfortable with the idea of being home alone, we'll discuss how long I'm willing to leave him. But he has to be comfortable first and I have the final say. I AM the mom, afterall!!!

 

[shirleyb]

It depends on the kid. My two DS's are totally different and one is much more responsible than the other. That being said, at around 11 or 12 for most kids to stay alone for a few hours I think is fine. My kids can always reach me or DH on the cell if they need to.

ETA: My 17 yo son just spent the night alone for the first time a few months ago.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Wow...my mum and grandparents started leaving me alone for an hour or two when I was 6! Starting when I was 8, if the sitter couldn't make it, I got to stay home alone after school. Then I started staying home alone after school for good when I was 10.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I leave my almost 10 year old home everyday for 7-10 minutes while I pick the others up from school. It still scares me, but I felt it was neccessary for her. Also I can see the house from where I am

 

[minnieandme]

I started leaving DS12 home when he was around 10 but it was only for about 15-20 minutes. I always took DS8 with me. Now that they're a little older, I can leave both of them home while I go shopping or something. If they ever need anything, I feel good knowing that they can go to my mom's house right down the street.

 

[starwishing]

We're going throught this now. My DsD will be 11 soon and we're trying to decide when we start loosening to reins and leave her alone for a bit. I was home alone at 9 years old (latch key kid) everyday after school from about 3 until my parents got home around 6. But, that was 30 years ago and times, they are a changin'. I'm more protective because she's my DsD and if anything happened, I don't know how I would ever look my husband or her mother in the eye. I couldn't live with myself.

Times are definitely different!! When I was 13 I was babysitting a 3 year old & his 1 year old baby sister!!! (Way in over my head!!) Thankfully my mom came to her senses and told the woman it was too much for me at that age.

 

[Princess89]

I've often wondered about this. I left DS10 home for a 5 minute run up to the store, took DD3 with me, and he was fine with it. But I felt horrible for doing it. His friends stay home for 30 minutes in between the time they get home form school and the time their parents get home. To me my DS is a little irresponsible and immature. I would not want to leave him for a long period of time, so I would say that it really depends on the child.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Age 11/12 or 6th grade. Right now she is 10 and I will leave her when I pick up her sister, which takes 5 minutes.

I like to work up to it so we can work out the "kinks".

 

[CEDmom]

Maybe when she's 25 . I just let my DD7 ride around the block with a friend and that was a big deal for me.

Honestly though once my DD hits middle school at age 11 she'll be home alone for about 1/2 hour after school. I suspect she'll be ready by then.

 

[minnieandme]

Honestly though once my DD hits middle school at age 11 she'll be home alone for about 1/2 hour after school. I suspect she'll be ready by then.

It's surprising how fast 30 minutes goes by. Once they get home, check the house and find a snack, you'll be home already.

 

[Hannathy]

When my DD was 9 we let her come home from school alone occasionally for about 30 minutes. or If I needed to go somewhere for the same amount of time.
She's 14 now. In sixth grade she could stay home herself and she was babysitting other kids. When she was 13 and my DH had to go to the ER at midnight I woke her up and told her we were leaving and she stayed at home with her 6 yr old bros. both slept right thru. Left her alone if needed at 12 for as long as needed.

My parents left me home alone on weekends after I believe 11th grade, I know I could drive, Believe me there was no way I was going to their Country Music Concert weekends and camp in a trailer to. Now Disney I went with them!

I have to agree with your kids you need to loosen up a bit ...kids can never learn independence if they are never given any.

 

[lyzziesmom]

I was left home alone at age 8 with my 1-year old brother while my parents walked around the block. I was babysitting at 12 for other people's kids, up to 5 kids at a time. Now that my DD is 8, I can't imagine leaving her home alone. Sometimes I will let her and DD2 outside alone (in the fenced yard while I'm in the house) or leave them inside while I'm outside, but we are still on the same property.

 

[Griggle]

After much campaigning from DH and DS11, DS joined the ranks of a few million other kids that go home to an empty house after school this month.

We went over "the rules" so much with him, I couldn't help but think of the movie "The 39 Steps" and was waiting for him to break down at the mere mention of a key word.

What helped (me) with the decision was that he gets off the bus at 4 and DH is home by 5 so, it's not so bad...And, for the Fall, on Monday/Tuesday's he's got activities where my gf picks him up at 4:30..I'm home Fridays so, it's really only Wednesday and Thursday that he's surfing porn sites and cooking while we're not home.

Really, not so bad.