Minimum age for a kid to stay at home for a few hours or a full day in Montgomery county
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Anonymous
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Right now we are before care, after care, day camp when school closed, and summer camp. I wonder what is the minimum age for a kid to stay at home for a few hours (how many hours?/day) or a full day in montgomery county without getting into trouble?
I just hear from someone that they are not planning to sign up their kid at summer sump because he is 12 years old and can stay home by herself while parents work remotely. I am a bit surprised and I wonder what kids would do at home for the full summer? |
Anonymous
| 12 is old enough. I did this in montgomery county and took the bus to the library a lot. I went to the pool with my friends. It was hot and boring but also felt free, creative and independent. Our parents worked and we were latch key kids |
Anonymous
| I don't know legally, but age will totally depend on the kid. I have one who was fine at 8 for a couple hours. Would sit and read. Other not until 11ish. |
Anonymous
| I think 12 is fine for the occasional teacher work day or whatever but not the whole summer. But I would not want my 15 or 16 year old with no structure all summer either. |
Anonymous
I agree with this. My kid doesn't go anywhere when there is a teacher day and he is completely bored by noon or 1. I think for the occasional day it's fine, but not for a summer. And no need for before and after care at this age. |
Anonymous
| The law says 8. I leave my eight year old alone for up to an hour, but that’s my limit, not a legal one. You may legally leave an eight year old alone all day long. |
Anonymous
| Depends on how responsible your kid is, do you know the neighbors and neighborhood, is there someone close by if they need something, what will they probably do when you’re gone, do they understand basic safety and first aid and how to apply to themselves or others, can they unclog a toilet or at least turn the water off until you get home, do they know how to use or know not to use the stove...it seems basic for a 12 yo but these things aren’t always taught, on the other hand some 8 year olds have no problems staying home alone. Many things to consider beyond age |
Anonymous
+1 I would leave a little longer. |
Anonymous
You clearly weren’t a LMC/MC child of the 80s. And no, it’s not more dangerous now. We just have mechanisms to hear about every issue or crime in the country in real time, thanks to the 24-hour news cycle and social media. |
Anonymous
So...parents will be home. Working remotely. Kid won't be home alone. At 12 I was watching other people's kids by myself, and I'm in my 30's now. |
Anonymous
| I babysat at 12 in the 80’s. |
Anonymous
| I remember babysitting at 11... |
Anonymous
| We can track our kid's every movement now... |