What age did you start leaving your kids home alone?

[shatzjsl]

My DD10 wants to be left home alone this summer instead of daycare. Uh, yeah, that's gonna happen. But it got me to thinking. What age will I let her stay home alone? I don't even let her stay home to run to the store.

What age did you start leaving your kids home alone?

 

[Blueeyes101817]

probably when i was 10 or so i was home alone while mom took my brother to school or went to the store or something like that..i was probably 12 or so when i was allowed longer

 

[msdznyduck]

Probably when they were about 10 or so, just to run to the store, or another errand. When they were about 12, a little longer, and now that they are almost 14 and 16, I am comfortable leaving them for the day, while I work (I am very reachable..........just in case) I can not forsee leaving them overnight for a very long time, though.

 

[grinningghost]

About age 11, I started leaving her home when I made short trips to the store. About a year later it was for longer periods, and at 13 I was pretty comfortable about letting her stay alone. Although she still doesn't like being alone at night for very long - and she's about to turn 15. I always make sure we're in cell phone contact in case she gets "scared".

 

[antbritt]

IDue to circumstances beyond my control my DS started getting hisself on the bus at 11 and then being home alone for 3 hours after school at the same age.
I started leaving my DD at home at 10 to run to the HS to get my DS and it ctually caused me to physical have a hard time for awhile there. But it actually helped her to feel comfortable to stay alone for small periods of time. In september she started Midlle school and after school care was no longer an option. So I changed my hours at work and I go in later ( so I can put her on the bus) and then she comes home at 330 and is alone till 530 . She is doing ok but I always have it in my mind until I hear here voice that she is in the house. I personnally think though that each kid is different and some kids are ready earlier then others/ Oh yeah and 1 weekend a month I work so she is for the most part home all day alone then. Those days really bother me. But I think that you also have to teach kids how to handle themselves.
Its funny though when I was 9 we had to walk to and from school 1 and 1/2 miles !!! Its amazzing how the things I did I would never let my kids do!!
I think maybe you should try to work the amount of time for her to stay aolone that way it will build up her confidence and your own peac of mind. But I do not think that the whole summer at home alone is good . My daughter goes to camp the bus picks her up and drops her off. It is very costy though but also tax dedeuctable.

 

[Shel]

Last summer my dd (10) stayed home alone, and during the school year she leaves for school after we go to work. Her school is about 1 block away, and she doesn't have to cross the road. Plus I work 5 minutes away & am totally accessible to her by phone, and come home to have lunch with her every day. She's an only child & does quite well. The down side is that she has to stay inside all day, but as soon as we get home she's out the door & in her backyard. It works for us!

 

[dcg0317]

I also belive it depends on how mature the child is, I know that my DS 11 is not ready to stay home alone and doesn't want to, also NH has a State Law saying no child under the age of 13 can be left home alone.
Dcg

 

[newholiday]

9yrs, 11mos for short periods of time started

This summer (at age 12) he'll be home 2 full days/wk (some wks 3 full days) and 1/2day Wed
I work 4mins from home and make sure I take my lunch break in the middle of the day on these days and I call home often.

there's always neighbors home during the day too
and no we dont let him stay home at night

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd, now 10 1/2, was very skittish about being left alone. But when she turned 10 last fall, she felt she was ready. So, we left her home to run to the store etc. Only for about 1/2-1 hr. at most. Now, she is okay with a few hours. But, not after dark. Not yet. It all depends on the child I think. Now, with caller ID, she can decide what phone calls to answer. And with the barking nutty golden, she doesn't worry about going to the door. Just lets the dog bark.

 

[shatzjsl]

Thanks for the replys. Maybe next summer we'll give it a try.

 

[Dcat2u]

My daughter is 10 and finishing the 5th grade, this will be her last summer at daycamp. After 5th grade on post (Ft Hood) they have to go to the middle school camp, that doesn't start till after 8am which doesn't do me any good since I have to be to work at 7am. My oldest is turning 13 next week and this will be her first summer at home by herself, however she will be at the dance studio 3 days a week.