Would you leave a 6-7yo home alone for 10-30 min?

[Anonymous]

I have 3 kids ages 6-14. Youngest is almost 7. As of now, we have never left her home alone. We have left her home with older siblings for short periods of time.

When oldest was 8, I started leaving him home when I drove younger sibling to sports close by. I would be back within 10-20 minutes. My middle child was not left home alone until he was 10. My youngest is very well behaved and rule follower. She has seen siblings stay home and now also wants to stay home while I drop off siblings at sports.

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

I think that's probably just a little too young. I feel like there's a big difference in maturity between almost 7 and almost 8.

[Anonymous]

I'd probably allow it. Does she know how to get in touch with you if needed? Are there rules she has to follow when you're gone? Just make those clear and carry on.

[Anonymous]

No, because in MD the minimum age is 8. Six feels young to me, but you know your child. Would they know what to do if there was a fire or other emergency?

[Anonymous]

Depends on the kid. I'd be fine with telling a 7 yr old no.

[Anonymous]

I would if the child felt comfortable. I would also make sure they have a way to contact me--either a cell phone or via the Amazon Fire app.

[Anonymous]

No. I stuck to 8 for all of my kids, even though the 3rd one would have been happy by herself earlier. Most of my friends thought I was reckless for leaving an 8 year old home alone for 30 mins!

[Anonymous]

My 6 year old would not be comfortable with it, so no unless it was an emergency (in which case I do think she's mature enough to follow directions and not get herself into trouble, but I would not do it unless there were no better options). To me it's really relevant whether the kid would be like "no problem, see you when you get back" or be super stressed by it.

I think by 8 for sure, this would be fine. 7 is borderline, we'll see how she feels.

I definitely would not leave kids at any of these ages at home alone with a younger sibling, and potentially not with a pet either.

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

I've done this when the child was sick and I needed to take siblings to school. I knew he would just lay on the couch. I don't know if I'd leave an energetic kid alone.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the kid and how far away I'm going. If the practice is a mile away on neighborhood streets and the kid wants to stay home I'd seriously consider.

[Anonymous]

No, I wouldn't, especially if the only reason is that she wants to stay home. She can just as easily sit in the car and entertain herself for 10-30 minutes as she can when sitting at home.

[Anonymous]

No I wouldn’t.
I left mine at 5 once for less than 10 mins while I walked the dog in the pouring rain to get her to go to the bathroom. So I’m not totally against it in certain situations.
At 6 or 7 though on a regular basis for 30 mins while you’re driving? Nope.

[Anonymous]

No. Mine is 7.5 and shes not ready. She freaksnout when someone goes into the back yard while shes inside playing and doesnt tell her. But she also has some underlying anxiety issues.