In Maryland:Older Sibling Babysitting a Younger Sibling-age specifics?

[Spoisal]

Does anyone now the Maryland law regarding an older sibling babysitting a younger sibling? I know that if you are not a sibling, you must be 13 years old to babysit any child younger than 8....but I thought there was a different rule for sibling care. (i'm talking about short periods of time)......

My kids are only 7 & 5 - so this doesn't come close to concerning me yet, but my neighbor has these issues now.......thanks for your help!

 

[Christine]

'Home alone' rules


by Becky Myers
Family Advocacy Program


Summer is here and parents are making the difficult decision of whether their children are old enough to play outside by themselves or stay home alone during the summer. Supervision protects children and laws are in place to ensure this occurs.

Maryland law states that all children under the age of 8 must be supervised at all times. A child must be 13 years old to babysit other children including siblings. A child who is between 8 and 12 can be left alone for short periods of time, but the law does not say how long a child 8 to 12 can stay alone. Parents are required to judge what is appropriate.

 

[eeyore0062]

I started babysitting for my brother when I was 12 and for others when I was 13. I think it depends on the kids involved, but I guess they have to set a blanket rule so others don't take advantage.

 

[snoopy]

Geez, when I was a little kid in Baltimore Maryland I started babysitting for my younger brothers and sister (some were infants!) when I was about 8.

Different times.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

It doesn't matter if the kids are related or not--still 13yo to babysit a child under the age of 8yo and 8yo to stay alone. We did start leaving our DD, then 12yo, for short periods of time with her youngest brother (when he was a baby), but we were always close by (at a ballgame up the street) and could come home when he woke up, got cranky, etc. Probably only did that a coouple times, though. She was almost 13yo at that time.

T&B

 

[grlpwrd]

I can't recall where I got this link, but someone on a board (here or someplace else where I frequent?) may have posted it:

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

HTH

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I can't recall where I got this link, but someone on a board (here or someplace else where I frequent?) may have posted it:

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

HTH

That was me...I was too lazy today to repost the link, but it is interesting to read about the laws in other places. Interesting that most states do not have guidelines to leaving kids home alone.

T&B