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At which age will you leave your LO home alone?

FordlorFordlor member
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months

I took a walk down memory lane today and was thinking about my childhood.  I remember being eight years old and being left alone (sometimes with my older brother) during some afternoons on the weekends while my parents went golfing.  So that got me thinking- what age would I let DD stay home alone?  Is there laws about this? 

WDYT?  When will you let your DC stay home by themselves? (in this example, I mean for three to four hours)

To answer my own question, I haven't decided yet.  Eight seems awfully young to me though. 

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Re: At which age will you leave your LO home alone?

  • mrsmattomrsmatto
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  • CrazycrustaceanCrazycrustacean

    It depends. The ages are getting younger & younger. FOr instance 8 years old is way younger than when I was 8 years old (24 years ago). Times were also way different. Ya know? 

     

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  • MrsVictoriaBMrsVictoriaB
    I guess it depends on their maturity. I was left home alone around 8 and did just fine... the thought of that now makes me nervous for my kids but we'll see

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  • alheystekalheystek
    I guess I haven't really thought about it. It makes me sad to look this far down the road. Maybe as soon as he's in middle school? I recall being home alone in middle school.
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  • trizzietrizzie member

    I don't remember how old I was when I was left alone...I want to say 11?

    I have no idea when I will allow that. I have a mild panic attack thinking about it. :)

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  • avz2azbavz2azb
    I don't remember when I was left home on my own, 9 or 10 maybe. I don't know about when I will leave DD. It'll depend on her I guess. 
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  • KeepingItLowKeyKeepingItLowKey
    I think I was left after school around 9 or 10. I started babysitting at 11. I babysat for my cousin's kids when I was 13. Now her kids are 15 and 16, and they still call my parents to come over for an hour or two to stay with them when they have to go somewhere. Crazy.

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  • MadringalMadringal member
    Probably middle school age.  But I don't think a 13 year old should be left alone in charge of anyone younger then 8 or 9.
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  • Mrs.McLovinMrs.McLovin member

    If I leave a bottle out, DS will be fine. He knows how to turn on the tv.

    j/k

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  • jen_k2jen_k2

    I'm thinking DD will have to be 12. She's 9 y/o right now and while she is a very responsible and well behaved child, I'm too paranoid. Also, I really don't have any reason to leave her home alone right now.

    The Red Cross offers babysitting sitting classes starting at age 11 and I'd like her to complete this before staying by herself. Not that she would be watching DS at that point or that I wouldn't teach her myself about safety- just as a reinforcement.

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  • SBear12SBear12 member

    I remember staying home watching my younger brothers in a particular house that we moved out of when I turned 10... so I'm assuming I was about 9? That seems awfully young now, though.

    But I was 11 when I officially started babysitting, for my former teacher's kids (2 under 2, no less!). That seems really, REALLY young to be caring for babies. I guess it was a different world back then, almost 20 years ago.

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