How old were your kids?

[dez1978]

When you left them home alone? Recently lol. Not in the 80's.

Mine are 10.5 & 7. Quarantined from school. They have ipads so they can call or text us, a blink camera so I can see them, and neighbors available in case of an emergency. They are not afraid to be alone, and likely would just play on their tablets for the entire time. They are both capable of making sandwiches, snacks, getting drinks etc. We live in a rural, safe area, with some great neighbors who would also help keep an eye on things. Our state does not have a legal minimum age to be home alone. and it would be about 4 hrs. I can't stay home from work so I'm trying to figure out a way to make this work. Would this be enough for you to feel comfortable? I really have no doubts that they would be fine. My biggest concern is other people thinking it's an issue honestly.

ETA: It would be from like 8 am to noon. So they'd have breakfast before I left, and I'd be home for lunch, and they can get snacks.

 

[Buzz Rules]

When you left them home alone? Recently lol. Not in the 80's.

Mine are 10.5 & 7. Quarantined from school. They have ipads so they can call or text us, a blink camera so I can see them, and neighbors available in case of an emergency. They are not afraid to be alone, and likely would just play on their tablets for the entire time. They are both capable of making sandwiches, snacks, getting drinks etc. We live in a rural, safe area, with some great neighbors who would also help keep an eye on things. Our state does not have a legal minimum age to be home alone. and it would be about 4 hrs. I can't stay home from work so I'm trying to figure out a way to make this work. Would this be enough for you to feel comfortable? I really have no doubts that they would be fine. My biggest concern is other people thinking it's an issue honestly.

I’m not an attorney but I think your best bet would be to ask your local police about the legality in the matter. Your state may not have a law, but your county might.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Legally here children can stay home alone at age 10 as long as they have the ability to contact an adult in an emergency.
And they can babysit at the age of 12.

What you are doing would be illegal here.

 

[Southernmiss]

When you left them home alone? Recently lol. Not in the 80's.

Mine are 10.5 & 7. Quarantined from school. They have ipads so they can call or text us, a blink camera so I can see them, and neighbors available in case of an emergency. They are not afraid to be alone, and likely would just play on their tablets for the entire time. They are both capable of making sandwiches, snacks, getting drinks etc. We live in a rural, safe area, with some great neighbors who would also help keep an eye on things. Our state does not have a legal minimum age to be home alone. and it would be about 4 hrs. I can't stay home from work so I'm trying to figure out a way to make this work. Would this be enough for you to feel comfortable? I really have no doubts that they would be fine. My biggest concern is other people thinking it's an issue honestly.

Mmmm. How far away would you be? How long would it take for you to get home?

I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with a 7 year old being home with just a 10.5 year old for 4 hours several days.

Just because stuff happens... toilet overflows, kid is bleeding, etc...

 

[prairie_girl]

10.5 would be too early in my opinion. I honestly don't remember how old my daughter was when I started leaving her alone. Maybe 12? I know she was 13 when I left her alone for the night and I was super nervous about it but she did fine.

 

[dez1978]

I’m not an attorney but I think your best bet would be to ask your local police about the legality in the matter. Your state may not have a law, but your county might.

There are no state or county laws here.

Legally here children can stay home alone at age 10 as long as they have the ability to contact an adult in an emergency.
And they can babysit at the age of 12.

What you are doing would be illegal here.

It's not illegal here so thats not a factor.

Mmmm. How far away would you be? How long would it take for you to get home?

I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with a 7 year old being home with just a 10.5 year old for 4 hours several days.

Just because stuff happens... toilet overflows, kid is bleeding, etc...

I am 10 mins away. Neighbors who the kids can also call are 2 mins. I just don't want to ask them to watch them the whole time bc well, quarantine. But if it was an emergency, they'd be fine helping out.

The stuff happens thing is a concern. But honestly, it would be like that in 2 years when they are 10 & 12. I don't think my kid at 12 would be any better at handling a overflowed toilet than he is now lol. Tho my 7 yr old is like super good about stuff like that. He's calm and would totally think to put some towels down and at least try to stop the mess (which is prob what I'd do at first too).

 

[dez1978]

10.5 would be too early in my opinion. I honestly don't remember how old my daughter was when I started leaving her alone. Maybe 12? I know she was 13 when I left her alone for the night and I was super nervous about it but she did fine.

Lol, its strange how differently ppl can think about these things. Bc I don't think I'd feel comfortable leaving a 13 yr old alone all night. But this is why I wanted opinions, to see how other ppl would feel. Or what they would do.

 

[Cadiewampus]

I am thinking with both our sons it was probably 9. Georgia does not have specific age on the books

 

[Tattylou]

I started to leave my older one home alone around 10.5 (but not with his brother there - who is two years younger) and only for 15-20 mins here and there. Now they are 11 and 13 and I leave them longer. I don’t think I would leave a 7 year old with only a 10 year old for 4 hours unless it was an absolute emergency. I think it’s sort of young for the 10 year old to be “in charge” of a sibling that age for that long. I’m a mandated reporter and I think if something bad happened and one of them was injured that we would probably be advised to file as neglect with those ages alone for that long. It’s not illegal, but it would probably be questionable enough that we would be advised to file. Child and family services would likely screen it out based on all the things you’ve said, but it would definitely be a conversation. Just another perspective.

 

[prairie_girl]

Lol, its strange how differently ppl can think about these things. Bc I don't think I'd feel comfortable leaving a 13 yr old alone all night. But this is why I wanted opinions, to see how other ppl would feel. Or what they would do.

It was only once and really, I only did it because my parents were less than 10 minutes away and my sister was a five minute walk away so I knew someone could get to her quickly if needed.

 

[mjkacmom]

I left my kids home alone starting at 10, my oldest was 12/13 before watching her 4 siblings.

 

[soccerdad72]

11.576 and 7.182

 

[dez1978]

I started to leave my older one home alone around 10.5 (but not with his brother there - who is two years younger) and only for 15-20 mins here and there. Now they are 11 and 13 and I leave them longer. I don’t think I would leave a 7 year old with only a 10 year old for 4 hours unless it was an absolute emergency. I think it’s sort of young for the 10 year old to be “in charge” of a sibling that age for that long. I’m a mandated reporter and I think if something bad happened and one of them was injured that we would probably be advised to file as neglect with those ages alone for that long. It’s not illegal, but it would probably be questionable enough that we would be advised to file. Child and family services would likely screen it out based on all the things you’ve said, but it would definitely be a conversation. Just another perspective.

Thank you. That is a good answer. If it weren't for the current quarantine situation and the fact that my workplace is stupid, this wouldn't even be a consideration. Tons of other ppl have got to WFH when they have had family members ill but for some reason they stopped that. I'm thinking too many took advantage of it and now that we are so short staffed we are closing down a ward, they are doing everything they can to force staff to come to work, which I get. But I'm not on the wards or part of the 24 hr shift staff, so its irritating me. Part of me wants to be like "well fine, I'll just stay home the whole time and not check email or anything and burn all of my sick time" but then the other part of me is like "no you should be responsible and make it to work as much as humanly possible" stupid work ethic. I really do love my job, but the way administration gets to do things vs the way those of us actually working gets to do things is really making me mad today.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Legal minimum in my state is 11, 13 if watching another child. 10 and 7 seem young to me to be left alone. Especially 7. I’m an emergency a short time should be ok though. I have 5 kids, from littles to college age and I’ve always left them alone around 12. My 11 year old would kill my 6 yo if I left them alone together, hopefully your kids get along enough to do this.

 

[DLgal]

How capable are they of handling an emergency situation where the neighbor is unresponsive to their attempts to get help? Do they know what to do if someone falls and splits their head open and starts bleeding? What about if someone starts banging on the door aggressively? What about a weather or natural disaster emergency where you can't immediately get to them? What about if they smell smoke and can't get out of the house easily? Do the kids both know your phone number by memory as well as their full address? Do they know how to call 911 and have good enough communication skills to explain an emergency situation? Are they generally calm and level headed and mature kids?

These types of basic emergency questions need to be answered based on how capable your kids are. Every kid is different.

For my part, I wouldn't even consider what you have proposed. Not under any circumstances. But that's based on MY kids and what they were like at those ages.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I think you know your kids best. If you think they are safe and responsible and if you think the neighbors are reliable in an emergency, then you probably know best how to make lemonade out of your lemony situation.

The "stuff happens" thing, like the toilet overflowing could happen if you take them to a babysitter's house, too and then you'd still have a flooded house.

As long as they know the basics like - fire: get out and then call 911 or medical emergency: call 911, then call mom and neighbor or don't ever let a stranger in the house or tell a stranger that they're home alone unless the 911 operator is telling them that the stranger is from the police/ambulance/etc.

It's a big responsibility for your kids, but they wouldn't be the first ones to have to take that on.

 

[mousefan73]

I see no issue in your situation. I mean you are 10 minutes away. Many people are seriously unavailable for longer periods while still being on their own property..

edit: I never answered the question.. Yes I did leave my kids home alone at this age.. Even younger for a few minutes here and there. If one kid was sick or sleeping, YES I was that bad mom that would let that kid sleep and drive my other kid to daycare ( 10 minutes max away time) at toddler ages.

 

[ShayBells]

I have a 12 year old and could not leave him alone. That is 100% me because I wouldn’t feel fine with it.

If you feel fine with it and you are 100% sure it’s legal don’t let others give you doubt and I probably wouldn’t tell people you are doing it (but your neighbors you trust and family.)

If the only thing that is holding you back is other’s opinions… it’s just easier to live life without other people knowing every little thing.
But also I would be 100% certain that it is legal before doing it cause parents across the world right now are dealing with legal issues right now because of this same thing.

 

[mousefan73]

BTW if other judge you and call you out, then respond with " well if you are so concerned, why wont you offer to check up on my kids while I am working. "

 

[dez1978]

I think you know your kids best. If you think they are safe and responsible and if you think the neighbors are reliable in an emergency, then you probably know best how to make lemonade out of your lemony situation.

The "stuff happens" thing, like the toilet overflowing could happen if you take them to a babysitter's house, too and then you'd still have a flooded house.

As long as they know the basics like - fire: get out and then call 911 or medical emergency: call 911, then call mom and neighbor or don't ever let a stranger in the house or tell a stranger that they're home alone unless the 911 operator is telling them that the stranger is from the police/ambulance/etc.

It's a big responsibility for your kids, but they wouldn't be the first ones to have to take that on.

we've practiced fire drills and what to do there, and not to ever answer the door unless it is one of the neighbors mentioned. The rule is to stay inside and not open the door for anyone. I should add that my bff lives a 2 min walk away and she is a nurse and can handle any bumps, bruises, evaluate anything like that to see if more is needed and she is off work next week and said she'd make sure she's home during those hours. Heck she'd prob watch them if I asked but since theyve been exposed I don't want to ask that. The other neighbor is a retired couple, both used to be teachers and have sort of become surrogate grandparents for them. They both can see our house from their windows and could be there in 2 min or less.

I know by the time I was 10 I was home every day for a couple hours after school and all summer long, but that was in the 80s and no one worried about it then lol.

I see no issue in your situation. I mean you are 10 minutes away. Many people are seriously unavailable for longer periods while still being on their own property..

edit: I never answered the question.. Yes I did leave my kids home alone at this age.. Even younger for a few minutes here and there. If one kid was sick or sleeping, YES I was that bad mom that would let that kid sleep and drive my other kid to daycare ( 10 minutes max away time) at toddler ages.

This is very true. We are in a pretty rural area. There are lots of people with 40-50 acres who are out and about while their kids are at home sleeping or watching tv. And I too, have left one home alone if they were sick while I took the other to daycare. Daycare is like 1/4 mile away and prob less if I just cut thru the field.