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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
My boys are 5 and 7 so still too young. I work with them on knowing my cell and safety all the time. Strangers, etc. They don't really ever answer the phone unless I tell them it's ok.
Yesterday I had to run to the local pharmacy to pick up my Kindergartner's prescription. I didn't want to take him out in the rain so my neighbor came over for 10 mins so I can go run out.
Her kids are older so I asked her when she started leaving them. She said she thinks 4th grade and that was for 10 minutes and she would call me and ask me to watch the house while she runs out bc her DD or son are home.
Thoughts? I know my boys aren't ready, but not too much longer till my older DS is ready?
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Posted 1/25/17 12:22 PM  |
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jea128
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Member since 5/05 3415 total posts
Name:
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How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
DD is almost 10 and I feel comfortable leaving her now for no more than hour during the day if I'm just running an errand not too far. So far, I haven't left her with her younger brother. I'm worried they would fight. When she's by herself, all she really does is watch TV or play on her ipad.
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| Posted 1/25/17 1:10 PM |
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mrsrainbow
LIF Adult
Member since 1/17 1465 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
I think my niece was around 12 when my sister started leaving her to go for a quick errand.
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| Posted 1/25/17 1:14 PM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
Posted by jea128
DD is almost 10 and I feel comfortable leaving her now for no more than hour during the day if I'm just running an errand not too far. So far, I haven't left her with her younger brother. I'm worried they would fight. When she's by herself, all she really does is watch TV or play on her ipad.
That what I was thinking. My oldest will be 8 this year. I think maybe 4th or 5th grade if I have to run out for a quick errand. Not food shopping or anything longer, but something quick. Plus it's good I have my neighbors around us who I'm friendly with and will always keep an eye on the house too. I still have a few years. Not rushing it.
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| Posted 1/25/17 1:21 PM |
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Eireann
Two ladies and a gentleman!
Member since 5/05 12165 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
I will leave my 9 and 6 year olds for 10/15 mins while I drop off their older sister to dance or whatever. I would be comfortable leaving my 11, 9, and 6 year olds for an hour or so during the day. Overall, I think I would agree with your neighbor.
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| Posted 1/25/17 1:23 PM |
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2BadSoSad
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6791 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
My son is in 4th grade, I have left him briefly, no longer than 20mins-half an hour, TOPS, to go pick up my DD from school or to run the 7-11 for milk.
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| Posted 1/25/17 1:31 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
I have a fourth grader, and under no circumstances would leave her home alone. Probably middle school...12ish maybe. I'm probably in the minority though.
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| Posted 1/25/17 2:33 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19453 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
To me, fifth or sixth grade is an appropriate time. So about age 10 1/2 or 11 depending upon the maturity of the child. I would start off small, 10 or fifteen minutes and work up to an hour.
Message edited 1/25/2017 2:45:35 PM.
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| Posted 1/25/17 2:43 PM |
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
this is so funny because I remember being home alone when i was like 9 my brother was 13... but it seems like nowadays we never leave our children alone ever. we used to be left in the car all the time too. I do find it frustrating I can't run out of the house for even 10 minutes but at the same time I wouldn't want to leave her alone until she is probably 8 or older.... and for an hour, it would have to be 12 or older...
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| Posted 1/25/17 3:02 PM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
Posted by LSP2005
To me, fifth or sixth grade is an appropriate time. So about age 10 1/2 or 11 depending upon the maturity of the child. I would start off small, 10 or fifteen minutes and work up to an hour.
Totally agree with this. Kids walk themselves home in Middle School. I'd imagine (and hope) my kids would be mature enough to be home alone for a while. But, my middle child is the most mature... so I may have to wait for her to watch her siblings.
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| Posted 1/25/17 4:04 PM |
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mnmsoinlove
Mommy to 2 sweet girls!
Member since 3/09 8585 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
I think 11 or 12. Is there a law that says what age they can legally be left?
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| Posted 1/25/17 6:00 PM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
I Want to say 11 or 12, I thought the law was 12 but could be wrong.
My son is 8 and is such a knuckle head I can't picture ever leaving him alone.
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| Posted 1/25/17 6:14 PM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
I believe there is no law that states an age in NYS...as a mandated reporter, I am usually told by our social worker (we run all CPS concerns through them prior to calling) that the case will be taken by CPS if the child states that they were alone and they were scared.
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| Posted 1/25/17 6:33 PM |
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Millie3
LIF Adult
Member since 7/13 1280 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
My 6&8 yo boys? Probably never ever ever 
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| Posted 1/25/17 7:18 PM |
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Sixofus
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/13 594 total posts
Name:
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How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
My older boys are 9 and 11. I've been leaving them home alone for an hour or so for about 2 years. I don't leave them with my 5 and 3 yos though. I was babysitting when I was 11.
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| Posted 1/25/17 8:06 PM |
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Disneygirl17
LIF Toddler
Member since 11/16 496 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
Posted by BargainMama
I have a fourth grader, and under no circumstances would leave her home alone. Probably middle school...12ish maybe. I'm probably in the minority though.
No you're not. I feel the same way. It's not that I don't trust her, I just don't think she's ready.
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| Posted 1/26/17 9:33 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
Posted by Disneygirl17
Posted by BargainMama
I have a fourth grader, and under no circumstances would leave her home alone. Probably middle school...12ish maybe. I'm probably in the minority though.
No you're not. I feel the same way. It's not that I don't trust her, I just don't think she's ready.
I don't trust other people. Our house is wired up with cameras, but you never know. Not to mention, god forbid something happened to me while I was out, and my 9 year old was home alone.....
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| Posted 1/26/17 9:38 PM |
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Jenn79
One more?
Member since 2/12 2410 total posts
Name:
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
Posted by mnmsoinlove
I think 11 or 12. Is there a law that says what age they can legally be left?
I asked a cop recently. He said as long as they can call for help. There is no specific age. I would imagine it means being able to call for help and tell someone where they are etc.
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| Posted 1/26/17 11:05 PM |
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
Posted by Disneygirl17
Posted by BargainMama
I have a fourth grader, and under no circumstances would leave her home alone. Probably middle school...12ish maybe. I'm probably in the minority though.
No you're not. I feel the same way. It's not that I don't trust her, I just don't think she's ready.
I am the same. I think maybe 12 I would start leaving them quick. Any younger, I'm not too sure
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| Posted 1/27/17 5:23 AM |
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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7612 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
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How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
End of 5th grade for VERY quick errands (returning Netflix/library book); 6th grade for longer errands, slowly building up. In 6th grade my DS Will get off the bus before I get home so he'll need practice before then!
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| Posted 1/27/17 5:57 AM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
DS1 is 8 and pretty responsible, but I can't imagine leaving him home even for a quick errand for at least several years. I'm not even sure I'd feel comfortable with that at 10 and certainly not if his younger brother is also there. The younger one is more likely to cause problems being left unsupervised.
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| Posted 1/27/17 6:45 AM |
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jodi714
Love my little girl!
Member since 2/06 3621 total posts
Name:
Jodi
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How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
I think it depends on the child. I could've left my 8 y/o when she was 6 (I wouldn't and didn't). She's responsible, mature, and doesn't get into things. She would just watch her iPad and wouldn't even know I was gone. She's also not a fearful kid. I'll probably leave her for short errands this summer or fall when she is in 4th grade. I do leave her when I walk the dog for 10 mins. I always have my cell and she'll call me if she needs me (usually she wants a snack). My 11y/o stepson is a nervous kid. We aren't worried about him being alone but he gets nervous. We have left him once (when 10) for a short time and he was fine.
Most of my friends tend to start leaving their kids in 4th grade.
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| Posted 1/27/17 2:08 PM |
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
Posted by Sash
I Want to say 11 or 12, I thought the law was 12 but could be wrong.
My son is 8 and is such a knuckle head I can't picture ever leaving him alone.
There is no law in NYS
I would probably leave my DS (who is 9, almost 10) if HE was comfortable, to get milk or bagels or something.
My SO's DS, well, he will be 25 before we can leave him alone...
Together, I'm not sure honestly.
I think it is a case by case basis. You know your kids 
Message edited 1/27/2017 2:28:43 PM.
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| Posted 1/27/17 2:26 PM |
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Rosie0613
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/10 875 total posts
Name:
Rosie
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Re: How old till you leave kids for a quick errand?
My niece started staying home alone at 12. She comes home from school and gets off the bus an hour before my BIL gets home from work. She started that this year since she is in Junior High and they don't have any after school programs.
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| Posted 1/27/17 9:33 PM |
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