How old does a child have to be???

[marydmjj]

I'm trying to figure out where to look to find out how old a child has to be to be left alone. I'm assuming it varies from state to state so I guess I'm asking specifically about Washington State.

I can't find anything on the state web site and have tried ask.com and google.

Thanks for the help.

 

[barkley]

per my google search only 2 states (neither washington) have state laws regarding this. you need to call your local police department to find out what local ordinances may be in effect. also, if you rent-some complexes have their own residency requirements in the contract (we lived in one that spelled out at what age/what hours kids could be unsupervised-and though it was tougher than any local law because it was part of the rental agreement it was enforcable as a basis for eviction).

oh, and just as an fyi (i fielded a lot of questions about this when i was in social services) just because a law or ordinance is in place it does not prevent investigation by child protective services or the police in the event some well meaning nieghbor or concerned person calls in to report an unsupervised child (although they would have to be calling to report that the child is being neglected or endangered due to the lack of supervision-not just "but he's on x years old and should'nt be left home alone").

if you have a local child care council they can offer pretty good information on local ordinances too (as well as the local schools).

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

It is also not necessarily a chronological age but more of an emotional age. I had one DSD that I could leave alone while I ran to the grocery store or whatever, short trips. I have another DSD that is 15 and I still wouldn't want to leave her alone due to emotional issues. Just my 2 cents.

 

[we3disneygo]

I think in IL it's 12......but not sure, this past summer i let dd12 stay home while i went to the corner gas station to get gas.....and return a dvd, of course i called her on my way and on the way home, she thought that was funny.........

 

[Marseeya]

I started leaving my DS alone for short trips to the grocery store right around the corner when he was 10. I never felt comfortable enough to leave town with him home alone until he was well into his 13th year.

DD is 10 and I've made quick trips, but I'm not comfortable with it at all, so I'll probably quit or not go beyond 10 minutes when I'm gone. She's not nearly as mature as DS was at that age.

I know it sounds weird because of all of DS's problems, but he just has a lot of common sense. If someone knocks on the door, he wouldn't answer. If someone calls, he looks at caller ID. If something were to happen (fire or whatnot), he'd know what to do. DD just can't think on her feet.

 

[golfgal]

http://www.nccic.org/poptopics/homealone.html

 

[MAKmom]

In Pa It's 10 to be alone & 11 to babysit another child.

 

[SC Minnie]

Daycares around here stop taking children after 5th grade. If you aren't a SAHM you have to make some sort of arrangement or have them come home alone.

 

[TheRatPack]

WOW, I'm amazed at all the 10's on there. I could never leave my dd (10) or my ds (11.5) alone at home. I'd be freaking out LOL

I had a spastic moment last night in the grocery store when I couldn't see him down the aisle I thought he'd be and finally had the front desk call him.....he was sooo embarrassed but I was shaking. It's a tiny store, only one door in and out but still I was so scared.

I wasn't left alone until I was around 15 or 16 though, so maybe that is where my feelings stem from.