Leaving kids in room question

[Dorisk3]

All I know, if the law catches you leaving 9 year olds alone, you are going to be in big trouble- country, city or suburbia.

 

[jcpuppy.com]

All I know, if the law catches you leaving 9 year olds alone, you are going to be in big trouble- country, city or suburbia.

Sorry, that is not true, not all states have numerical ages set for leaving a kid alone. many states do..like age 12, but not all states

If you find the law that states that all states have a specific age where kids can't be alone or can be..you let me know.(like a federal law)
I have lived in several states and can tell you the law varies.

there are a lot of 14 year olds that shouldn't be alone and a lot of 11 yr olds that can!!

I was babysitting other people's kids at age 12yrs old. Weren't other people here?

 

[Allison]

I think the main area people are disagreeing with you is your comparisons to the way things are at home or what you did at a certain age. It is a lot different when you are in a strange place surrounded by people you don't know than when you are at home in your own environment.

 

[Dorisk3]

We live in a fairly suburban environment- I personally would not feel comfortable leaving a 9 year old alone- maybe for like a half hour, but that would be it. I realize all kids have different maturity levels. But there is a difference between babysitting at 12 and a 9 year old kid. Things were different when we were kids, I know that- but in this day and age, I would not leave my kids alone even with a 12 year old babysitter- no matter how strict a home environment may be.

Just fyi, did a quick search on yahoo concerning children home alone laws, and only Maryland and Illinois have them, with Illinois giving an age of 14 and Maryland cites this(a) A person who is charged with the care of a child under the age of 8 years may not allow the child to be locked or confined in a dwelling, building, enclosure, or motor vehicle while the person charged is absent and the dwelling, building, enclosure, or motor vehicle is out of the sight of the person charged unless the person charged provides a reliable person at least 13 years old to remain with the child to protect the child. The site (Nt'l Childcare Information Center) went on to say that basically it's up to the individual state's protective services to sort out particular situations. There may be no law, but I'm willing to bet most protective services would think that 9 is too young to be alone except for only short periods of time- certainly not in a hotel room in a different state while the parents are out having dinner or cocktails.

 

[Sherri]

There's no way I'd leave 9 year olds alone anywhere, let alone a hotel room.

I thought I read through the posts and no where did I see that the children in question were 9. I agree 9 is too young, but which post stated that was their ages?

 

[zurgswife]

I thought I read through the posts and no where did I see that the children in question were 9. I agree 9 is too young, but which post stated that was their ages?

OP didn't post the ages on this thread but on the link below posted number 13 they did. That is one thing about message boards if you post something anywhere it is fair game to be used later on. Especially if other posters think the info is relevant.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=12488319#post12488319

While I fall on the side of the arguement that every kid is different and my kids have stayed home alone or with siblings at a young age (which I'm sure most on these boards wouldn't do). It was at home in an envirornment they were familiar with. I think in a hotel I probably wouldn't have made the same choices. We didn't start leaving our kids at Disney until the oldest was 11 and had had babysitting experience with other kids outside our family already. We also talked to them on the walkie talkie every 15mins or less and were in the same resort having dinner. They were not asleep.

 

[Sherri]

OP didn't post the ages on this thread but on the link below posted number 13 they did. That is one thing about message boards if you post something anywhere it is fair game to be used later on. Especially if other posters think the info is relevant.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=12488319#post12488319

While I fall on the side of the arguement that every kid is different and my kids have stayed home alone or with siblings at a young age (which I'm sure most on these boards wouldn't do). It was at home in an envirornment they were familiar with. I think in a hotel I probably wouldn't have made the same choices. We didn't start leaving our kids at Disney until the oldest was 11 and had had babysitting experience with other kids outside our family already. We also talked to them on the walkie talkie every 15mins or less and were in the same resort having dinner. They were not asleep.

Thanks for the link- I can't believe I missed it.

 

[jcpuppy.com]

OP didn't post the ages on this thread but on the link below posted number 13 they did. That is one thing about message boards if you post something anywhere it is fair game to be used later on. Especially if other posters think the info is relevant.

[.

How kind

Just want to point out, everyone posting their cool pics of their kids are leaving them vulnerable to child stealers/porn/perverts etc...

I didn't realize someone would care enough to search thru my posts enough to repost it here, even knowing I left out the ages for a reason.

I would also like to point out when we go our kids will be 1 month from being 10

Again, I have agreed with folks and the points they made..there was somethings pointed out I hadn't considered. I appreciate their help, especially the info for some child care options.
I am not sure why others have this need to beat a dead horse? Must be a full moon.
If you prefer you can stone me for even asking for help.

 

[mdhkitten]

I left out the ages for a reason.

Just so that we understand, why did you leave the ages out? I think that is all that anyone really wants to know.

 

[jcpuppy.com]

Just so that we understand, why did you leave the ages out? I think that is all that anyone really wants to know.

Because I was simply looking for general answers..like generally speaking most folks felt over 13 was safe, a few felt older was better some felt younger at home was ok.
I wasn't looking for people to judge my ages of kids. I just wanted generally what folks felt. The poster that decided to dig thru and find the ages of my kids had only one purpose and that was to start trouble, and the one that posted the link even knowing I asked for it not to be really only wanted to start trouble and be hurtful.
Not any of those people were looking to be helpful, just to be busy bodies.

Every kid and situation is different, and I found it interesting that many wouldn't even leave their teenagers alone? That truly baffles me..some kids must be really dumb, conniving or untrustworthy? What will happen when they are 18 years old? You just dump all the junk of the world on them and hope they swim?
I am NOT disagreeing with folks here that being a strange place makes a big difference.
i did find it interesting that folks felt the kids being awake was better?! Who is going to get into more troube- the kid who is awake or the one asleep? Granted outside problems(like fires) can occur anytime and being asleep makes you more vulnerable, BUT that could happy as easily as if an adult was there or not. Age in a situation like that doesn't necessarily save your life..many adults die in those situations. Then, again what is the likelihood of that happening?

Again I found all the thoughtful posts interesting and offered many useful points of views. The busybodies..well obviously they need to do some more Disney trip planning to help them stay out of other people's business

 

[Sherri]

I just want to clafify something. It seemed to me like everyone was focusing on the age of 9. I wasn't sure if they jumped to that conclusion or if it was posted by the OP. We all come here for advice and not to judge. I would feel terrible if my intentions of asking the age would have been misconsrude as wanting to start trouble.
I feel it all depends on the maturity of the child or in this case children.
I also feel like it depends on the situation. If the children are left with cell phones - or I should say if you take a cell phone and they can call from the room if they should wake up and need you, then I feel as if it is fine if you are some place that you can back easily. I think if you go out before bed and let them order a movie on TV and go downstairs for a drink with you DH it is fine to. In those cases you wouldn't be far. I wouldn't be worried about the security of the room, the locks are secure and only you and your DH would have the key to enter the room. Since they are all nine (triplets???) then you don't have one 9 year old watching younger siblings and they will be fine as long as they can communicate with you. Maybe others won't agree with me, but then again thats wat these forums are about, getting advice froem a wide a range of people. I sure hope nobodys intentions are to put down or be hurtful because that would make me feel badly too.

 

[ChristusG]

I'm sorry you got flamed asking for opinions. I do believe that 9 years old is too young to be left alone. Not because of the child or what they would do, but because of the wackos that are out there in today's world. I know there is a very slim chance of it happening, but you hear of things happening to people in hotel's all the time. Or if there was a fire or something....a child would probably panic and may not know what to do. That's my reasons for not letting a child stay alone.

 

[Dorisk3]

Why ask for advice and then when it's given call people busybodies?!?!? If you really wanted advice- you would have given full information of the ages of your children-how can someone give advice without it. For all we knew you could have been talking about 5 year olds.

With that said however, just have a good vacation and enjoy yourself. This busybody has dedicated far too much time to this thread. I have no doubt you will do what's best for you and your children!

 

[zurgswife]

.
I wasn't looking for people to judge my ages of kids. I just wanted generally what folks felt. The poster that decided to dig thru and find the ages of my kids had only one purpose and that was to start trouble, and the one that posted the link even knowing I asked for it not to be really only wanted to start trouble and be hurtful.
Not any of those people were looking to be helpful, just to be busy bodies.

The busybodies..well obviously they need to do some more Disney trip planning to help them stay out of other people's business

Hey chill out....I just was answering a question asked by another poster. I wasn't trying to be hurtful or to start trouble.

You asked a question that seemed very specific to your own situation and what you planned to do. You have since changed the post. The question is now a very general question and does not direct specificially at your kids and what you thought would be ok to do with them. If that had been the orginal post I'm sure you would have had less people directing you personally.

I thought I was very clear in my posts that like you I think it depends on the child's maturity..obviously you missed that part.

Besides I've got 2 trips coming up I think I'm doing fine in the Disney trip planning department.

 

[zurgswife]

PS...I'll be sure to wave very nicely at you if I see you during your up coming trip. I really am a nice person...Ask just about anybody...

 

[pickles]

We all come here for advice and not to judge. .

I agree with you. I think the poster must feel pretty hurt and attacked by now. After all been threatened to have kids taken away and all kinds of "isn't that illegal" and "how dumb you must be for even asking" attacks have been made.

If they are just at the buildings quiet pool or something I am not sure what harm that is, especially since the poster seems confident about her kids staying put and following directions.
I think, it may be different if they were planning to go to a theme park or something.

Maybe a helpful hint is "what is the most affordable baby sitting service at Disney?" that may help all of us!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Assuming an average to above average level of responsibility, I would say during the daytime for less than 1 hour, my minimum age would be 12.

During the nighttime OR for more than 1 hour, my minimum age would be 16, unless one of my children or a relative of age 18 or over was there with them, then below 16's would be okay.

In addition, if I had only one child, I wouldn't leave them in the room alone, even if 16, for more than one hour.

Off Disney property, I think age 18 would be my minimum.

I would still require phone check-ins as well.

In a house, you have neighbors that will look out for your children. You have secure locks and possibily a security system. In a hotel room, you have a great deal more people with access. And no neighbor would notice an unusual person entering a room.

These ages will of course vary with the child's level of responsibility, but these would be my general guidelines.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Every kid and situation is different, and I found it interesting that many wouldn't even leave their teenagers alone? That truly baffles me..some kids must be really dumb, conniving or untrustworthy? What will happen when they are 18 years old? You just dump all the junk of the world on them and hope they swim?

It would have nothing to do with kids being dumb, conniving or untrustworthy. It has to do with all the crazy people out there. Which do you think it more risky: having a nameless child's picture on the internet with no more information than perhaps the state they're in, or leaving them alone in a room in a place filled with strangers and no neighbor's house to run to if there is a problem. If they burned their hand, or if a fire began, would they know what to do? If one of them got sick, would they know what to do? If someone broke in or if a stranger knocked on the door and said they were sent by their parents to check on them, would they believe them and let them in?

Kids argue, kids might jump on a bed or break something, but that probably isn't what's entering most posters minds.

Of course it needs to be gradual. Not "dumped on at age 18". But, I am a high school teacher and 95% of the drinking, drugs and impregnation happens when there is no adult present. Frankly, I was 19 and had an argument with my mother about taking the subway into NYC by myself. She was petrified.

There were posts last week about mothers who took children 10 and 11 years old into the ladies' room with them instead of letting them use the men's room.

Many people do not feel comfortable leaving their children alone.

Personally, I think starting at age 11 - 12 or so, there should be a little extra independence- maybe walking home from school with a group of friends, or being able to stay home alone for an hour or two, but when pre teens or young teengers are allowed to come and go as they please, problems are inevitable.

As far as child care options:


In room child care is available 24/7 from www.kidsniteout.com and www.all-about-kids.com

The Poly, Grand Flo, AKL, WL, Y and B Club and Dolphin all have Kids Camps with certified counselors. You need not be staying at that resort to use the resort's Kid Club Service. The one at the Poly and AKL have been reported to be the nicest. They have food, couches, a sleeping area, tv's, activities and AKL has the animals on the savannah to look at. I believe they accept children ages 3 or 4 (must be potty trained) to 13. I think an older child (like 9-10) might prefer AKL.

There is also a service, it might be Fairy Godmothers, not sure, that will take your child around the park, for a fee. If you needed it during the day, this might be better because they would be more entertained.

In addition, if you dine at Shula's at the Dolphin, child care during your meal is free!

Good luck to you.

 

[jcpuppy.com]

www.all-about-kids.com[/url]

Good luck to you.

has anyone used this service and how did you like it?
This one sounds reasonable.

Thanks for this url

 

[Allison]

Why did you change your post so much from what your originally asked?