What age can you leave kids home alone in Virginia?

[Anonymous]

Would you feel comfortable leaving your 5 year old home with your 11 year old for an hour or two while you take middle child to a sporting practice?

I looked on VA website and it looks like there are recommendations but not any legal enforcement of age when kids can stay home alone.

What age have you allowed kids to stay home?

[Anonymous]

11 year old alone? Yes. 11 year old responsible for a 5 year old? I would not feel comfortable with my own 11 year old in that position, but I can’t speak for all.

[Anonymous]

I’d leave the 11 year old but take the five year old with me - I’d leave them both if I was taking a walk in the neighborhood to start - but that sounds like a big leap to start

[Anonymous]

No, no way.

[Anonymous]

Op - also if you leave your kids home do you have a land line phone? We don’t have one and kids obviously do not have cell phones yet. Does it even matter? Could we just tell them to go to a neighbors if there is an emergency?

[Anonymous]

If you are going to do this, you should get a landline OP.

[Anonymous]

I would leave the 11 year old alone, but not with a 5 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:11 year old alone? Yes. 11 year old responsible for a 5 year old? I would not feel comfortable with my own 11 year old in that position, but I can’t speak for all.

I have 2 calm girls mature for their age. When my older DD was 11 (going on 30) yeah I left her with my younger 5 (going on 12) year old. Both were responsible for their age. If they weren’t responsible, not a chance! It totally depends on your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would leave the 11 year old alone, but not with a 5 year old.

I was babysitting a next door neighbor’s infant when I was 12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op - also if you leave your kids home do you have a land line phone? We don’t have one and kids obviously do not have cell phones yet. Does it even matter? Could we just tell them to go to a neighbors if there is an emergency?

I taught mine how to call the police from iPads on the WiFi

[Anonymous]

With MY 11 yr old? Sure. But 11 can vary a lot.

[Anonymous]

No. Bad idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:11 year old alone? Yes. 11 year old responsible for a 5 year old? I would not feel comfortable with my own 11 year old in that position, but I can’t speak for all.

+1 The oldest can stay home but I think you have to take the 5 year old with you. I’d give the youngest another two years before they start staying home with the oldest - so 13/7 yes, 11/5 no not yet.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but my 5yo would annoy my 11yo. We have a dumb phone (Jethro) that the kids use to call me if I’m out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op - also if you leave your kids home do you have a land line phone? We don’t have one and kids obviously do not have cell phones yet. Does it even matter? Could we just tell them to go to a neighbors if there is an emergency?

I taught mine how to call the police from iPads on the WiFi

that doesn’t work if the power is out…so a fire. for example.