What age can kids be home alone?

[Anonymous]

I was 4 in SU but I think neighbors knew i was home alone in an apartment building. In case of fire and they would have dragged me out.

[Anonymous]

absolutely depends on the kid.

[Anonymous]

I qmwas an 80s latch key kid. We were alone most of thr time.

[Anonymous]

Don't ask DCUM. You will only get flames of being the most neglectful abuser ever. Ugh.

You know your kid -- and you know in your gut if your kid is ready.

[Anonymous]

Fairfax County: Child Supervision Guidelines-- yes these are guidelines and YMMV- but I have found them useful

Can I leave my child alone?

There are no laws in Virginia that say when or for how long a child can be left alone. Working with other jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County has developed these supervision guidelines for parents and caretakers to consider before leaving a child alone.

Parents are ultimately responsible for making decisions about their children’s safety. Every child is different and must be assessed based on their maturity, skills and comfort level to be home alone.

Is my child ready? Does he or she:
•understand instructions and follow important rules?
•know how to ask for help from friends, neighbors, and police?
•make good decisions when away from you or other adults?
•know when to contact you and 911 when needed?
•feel comfortable and confident about staying home alone?

Age Guidelines
•8 years old and younger should always be in the care of a responsible person. Children this age should never be left unsupervised in homes, cars, playgrounds or yards.
•9-10 years old may be ready to be left unsupervised up to 1.5 hours during daylight and early evening hours.
•11-12 years old may be ready to be left unsupervised up to 3 hours during daylight and early evening hours.
•13-15 years old may be ready to be left unsupervised more than three hours but not overnight.
•16 years old and older may be ready to be left unsupervised overnight for one to two days, with a plan in place.

Babysitting Age Guidelines
•10-12 years old may provide care of other children for up to three hours with the help of an adult.
•13-15 years old may babysit infants and children but not overnight.
•16 years old and older may watch children overnight.


https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/children-youth/child-supervision-guidelines

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have very young kids, and am wondering how old children need to be nowadays to be home alone, commute to school, and babysit. Almost 30 years ago, I was babysitting at 10 years old (and had a certificate from my state university's cooperative extension program), but I've heard that the times have changed. I am not trying to be a free range parent or anything; I'm just wondering what the norm is in the DC area.

33

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:10 minutes at 6
20 at 7
30 at 8
Hour at 9
2 hours at 10
Unlimited daylight hours at 11
Overnight at 13

you're crazy and lucky nothing ever happened to you kid. easily could have, especially leaving a 13 alone overnight. What would even warrant that????

NP. My mom was a nurse who worked nights and my dad traveled a lot. There was ZERO problem leaving me home alone at 13 (it was rare though). Another mom picked me up at 7:30 for a school carpool.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate the experiences you shared and the Fairfax guidelines. I hope my kids are responsible earlier, but given their personalities now it might take longer. -OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't ask DCUM. You will only get flames of being the most neglectful abuser ever. Ugh.

The DCUM response I hate even more than that is, "my kid is mature and responsible enough to be home alone, I'm sorry you're such an awful parent that your child isn't."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was 4 in SU but I think neighbors knew i was home alone in an apartment building. In case of fire and they would have dragged me out.

I don't know what "in SU" means, but I agree that it depends on the context as well as the kid. I grew up in a doorman apartment building and we knew lots of neighbors so I think my brother and I stayed home alone earlier than we would have in a house in the country.

[Anonymous]

We're in MD, so I waited until DS was 8. I definitely would have been comfortable leaving him to run to the store, etc. before then. I currently have a 7 year old who is more mature than most grown ups, and she hates being dragged to the store with me, but she's stuck with me for a few more months.

[Anonymous]

I started leaving my oldest alone at 9 for short periods of time. Never more than an hour.

I would not leave him with his younger sibling alone, ever. They are not ready to handle that. Just him, he is fine. We went over clearly what to do in any possibly situation that might arise and he felt comfortable. It's been fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have very young kids, and am wondering how old children need to be nowadays to be home alone, commute to school, and babysit. Almost 30 years ago, I was babysitting at 10 years old (and had a certificate from my state university's cooperative extension program), but I've heard that the times have changed. I am not trying to be a free range parent or anything; I'm just wondering what the norm is in the DC area.

33

LOL. Right?

Times have sure changed and look at how well it's worked out. A generation of kids with higher rates of failure to launch than any before them and kids going to college texting mom 24-7 to review every move. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started leaving my oldest alone at 9 for short periods of time. Never more than an hour.

I would not leave him with his younger sibling alone, ever. They are not ready to handle that. Just him, he is fine. We went over clearly what to do in any possibly situation that might arise and he felt comfortable. It's been fine.

This is where we are and it's unfortunate. I think either kid is ok alone, but can't be home together. it's still very limiting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Fairfax County: Child Supervision Guidelines-- yes these are guidelines and YMMV- but I have found them useful

Can I leave my child alone?

There are no laws in Virginia that say when or for how long a child can be left alone. Working with other jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County has developed these supervision guidelines for parents and caretakers to consider before leaving a child alone.

Parents are ultimately responsible for making decisions about their children’s safety. Every child is different and must be assessed based on their maturity, skills and comfort level to be home alone.

Is my child ready? Does he or she:
•understand instructions and follow important rules?
•know how to ask for help from friends, neighbors, and police?
•make good decisions when away from you or other adults?
•know when to contact you and 911 when needed?
•feel comfortable and confident about staying home alone?

Age Guidelines
•8 years old and younger should always be in the care of a responsible person. Children this age should never be left unsupervised in homes, cars, playgrounds or yards.
•9-10 years old may be ready to be left unsupervised up to 1.5 hours during daylight and early evening hours.
•11-12 years old may be ready to be left unsupervised up to 3 hours during daylight and early evening hours.
•13-15 years old may be ready to be left unsupervised more than three hours but not overnight.
•16 years old and older may be ready to be left unsupervised overnight for one to two days, with a plan in place.

Babysitting Age Guidelines
•10-12 years old may provide care of other children for up to three hours with the help of an adult.
•13-15 years old may babysit infants and children but not overnight.
•16 years old and older may watch children overnight.


https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/children-youth/child-supervision-guidelines

They don't suggest leaving an 8 yr old in the yard alone? I'm pretty sure I left my kids in the yard alone by age 4. obviously, it depends on the kid.

My kids are 7 and 9. I leave them home alone for up to 30 min if I need to run to the store.