Age to leave kids home by themselves

At what age is common nowadays to leave a kid home alone by themselves?

ETA: I think I was 13 when I started to be home alone by myself...

Message edited 7/3/2020 3:22:27 PM.

Re: Age to leave kids home by themselves

For how long, and how far will you be?

Re: Age to leave kids home by themselves

Usually middle school since there is no before or after care.

Age to leave kids home by themselves

It depends on how long you’ll be gone and what time. My daughter started staying home alone the summer after 5th grade. She was home alone for about a half hour in the morning before the bus came for camp and the same in the afternoon. This then continued in 6th grade with the school bus. But, I wouldn’t leave her home alone at night if we wanted to go out. Maybe if she had a sibling, but not completely alone.

Age to leave kids home by themselves

No legal age in NY. You need to consider age, maturity, length of time they will be alone, and do they know what to do in an emergency. Do they know to get out of the house if there's a fire? Do they know not to open the door for strangers? Do they know how to get in contact with an adult if they need to?

Re: Age to leave kids home by themselves

Once DS was in 6th grade (turned 11 that December), he took the bus home and spent several hours at home until we got back from work. On one or two occasions when he was feeling under the weather, he spent the whole day at home. He had a cell phone and I could check up on him.

Age to leave kids home by themselves

During the pandemic I’ve left my 10 and 8 year olds home together if I have to run out quickly for something (less than 15 minutes) and to go for walks.

Next year we were thinking of letting my 10 year old come home alone after school (he’ll be almost 11 and in middle school) but I work 5 minutes from home and it would only be 2x a week.

Age to leave kids home by themselves

28

Re: Age to leave kids home by themselves

Age to leave kids home by themselves

My kids won’t even go into the kitchen alone, so it’ll be a looooong time for us!!

Re: Age to leave kids home by themselves

I will leave DD who is 10 for 20 to 30 min tops only during the day. And only if I'm going local like to a store for something quick, the gas station or to my Father in laws to drop something off.
And I'm not even 100% comfortable with it, but she's fine.

I started babysitting at 12 but my parents lived right across the street and were always home when I sat.

I would say 12 to 13 would be ok for a few hours at a time

Re: Age to leave kids home by themselves

Depends how long and how far. When DS finished 5th grade we gave him a phone and that's when I felt comfortable leaving him at home while I ran a quick errand very close by. Then at 11 or 12, we left him for longer time, but usually we were also close to home.

Re: Age to leave kids home by themselves

Age to leave kids home by themselves

Depends on maturity level of the child. 12 or 13 usually.

Re: Age to leave kids home by themselves

Mine were 11 and 12 when I starting leaving them alone

Age to leave kids home by themselves

I started coming home after school to an empty house until my parents got home from work in 3rd grade. I've left DD home at age 9 to drive her brother to school for 15 minutes. She's very mature and I'd probably leave her for longer during the day.

Age to leave kids home by themselves

From anecdotal evidence, my family, friends, this board, are helicopter parents and haven't taught their kids how to be responsible or have basic life skills. I stayed home alone after school from about age 10-11 I think...long time ago, so not quite positive, But I do know I babysat a cystic fibrosis baby at age 12.

Re: Age to leave kids home by themselves

13-14 for us.

Re: Age to leave kids home by themselves

Really just started bc of quarantine.

If I just run an errand I don't want taking the boys. My oldest will be in 6th grade and just turned 11 and my younger will be in 4th and will be turning 9 soon.
I left my 11 year old in charge for an hour. He has a phone and I also asked the neighbors to keep an eye on the house.

Probably an hour or so during the day now at 11. Not at night till he's older and the rules are no answering the door, making any food, inviting anyone over, etc. Half the time they are so busy with video games they don't even know.