What age do you let your kids stay home alone? - Page 2

[MaryKate]

I would agree that it depends on how mature the child is.
I don't think it is a matter of age, more of maturity.

[BubbiesMami]

I voted for 12 only because it wasnt till my DD turned 12 that I started letting her home alone. Even letting her home alone is ONLY if I run to the store quick or if I know I am only gonna be gone for under an hour. Nothing is to say when my son hits 12 he will be mature enough to let home alone though

[AnnMarie]

It looks like 12 was the most popular answer. I'm still not sure what age I'll let my kids stay home alone. It could very well be different for each child. Then how do you deal with the feelings they could have about another being able to stay home alone sooner? Maybe it's best just to pick an age after all? :LOL An age that I think they would all be OK alone. I still have time to figure this all out as my oldest is only 11 and I'd never let her stay home alone at this point. lol

Thanks!

[Ann-Marita]

For a long time, my dd didn't even want me to leave the room without telling her that I would be right back! I decided that I would never push her in this area - that I would only leave her when she and I were both comfortable with the situation.

From the time she was about 6, dd has been able to let me drive around to the corner store for a necessity in the morning - at most a 5 minute trip, I can walk it in 15. She's 8 now and not long ago commented, "Oh, you left and came back already? I didn't really notice." She had been playing quietly in her room and (even though I reminded her of the safety rules and said, "I'll be right back" as I left) she was concentrating so hard on her play that she didn't miss me at ALL. I didn't know whether to feel glad that a trip to the corner store is "no big deal" to her, or worried that she hadn't been, I don't know, on a higher alert level, so to speak.

Let me say that my dd is very level-headed. She generally only has to be told a safety rule once and it really sticks. Of course, I still go over them. But she IS very mature and logical for her age. And we have very good neighbors, including an EMT next door who is often home during the day (and who I would trust with my life), and some SAHM's on our block, including one who has a home day care.

I am trying to get a walk in to my day more often, and we have worked out a system where I can go for a walk for about 20 minutes. I have my cell phone, and she knows how to call, and I am walking around (and around) the local blocks so I can run right home if needed. She can look out her window and come get me when she sees me (as I go around and around). We both feel pretty good about this system - she even encourages me to "Walk longer, Mama. It's good for you."

In a few years, I would like to be able to leave her for a couple of hours in the morning while I work (very very part time). Right now she comes with me to work, but that gets old for her sometimes. I don't know when this will happen - it will just depend on her maturity level (not her age).

Ann-Marita

[MommaCheesehead]

I started leaving my son alone for short periods of time when he was 10. He was a very mature 10 and we have 2 big dogs which made me feel better about doing it. He's almost 12 now and has been allowed to spend as much as a few hours alone now.