Would you leave a 6-7yo home alone for 10-30 min?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| If she is asking to and wants to, and knows how to use the phone (both to call you annd DH and WILL answer if you call) then totally fine, IMO. Obviously some kids would be too immature but if you are considering it, then she isn’t one of those. Presumably you’ve already run over any obvious additional rules for when you are gone..which for us at that age were no going outdoors, no answering the door, no kitchen. And I assume you know your neighbors and so does she. Then fine. Don’t overthink it. She will just sit and play on the iPad or whatever anyway. |
Anonymous
|
No.
Unless you're out in the yard or something, in which case yes. |
Anonymous
| Ten minutes while I walk the dog, with a phone? Yes absolutely. More than that, no I’m personally not comfortable. |
Anonymous
|
No, and where I live it's against the law. The risk is that you get held up by an unforeseen circumstance and the kid has an accident, leaves the home to look for you, or generally can't cope.
My kids are now teens, indeed one of them is in college, and being a little more thoughtful about their upbringing hasn't turned them into snowflakes. |
Anonymous
| OP, is some states it is illegal to leave children that young along. Here are a few. Learn your own state's and county's laws. https://www.findlaw.com/family/parental-rights-and-liability/when-can-you-leave-a-child-home-alone-.html |
Anonymous
| Not unless there was truly no other option. |
Anonymous
| I probably would wait until 8. |
Anonymous
| Absolutely not |
Anonymous
Agree. Absolutely no. |
Anonymous
| It’s against the law where I live, so absolutely not. |
Anonymous
| I probably would. Age, maturity, circumstances, and the amount of time would all influence my decision. |
Anonymous
|
I've left my 6yo at home when she's been home sick to go pick up my son from preschool. It's 15 minute walking round trip. She was on the couch watching TV the whole time. I felt totally fine with it (we live in a small apartment building, she could get a neighbor if she needed). That said, I can't imagine letting my son do the same at her age. Very different kids.
This is fairly common in my neighborhood, at least among people I've confessed this to. Lots of dogs being walked around the block, quick trips to the corner store, etc while 6-7yo are content at home. I'd say 20 mins would be my maximum comfort level, and no driving involved, but that may just be bc I'm in a city and driving feels risky vs walking. |
Anonymous
| No bc it’s illegal. |
Anonymous
|
No,
Can't you simply put her in the car and bring her? What if something happens to you? What if you get in an accident and are incapacitated? Remember Dax Tejera? He had a lethal heart attack while his kids were left alone. Remember Madeline McCain? What about fire? Someone comes to the door? Someone breaks in? |
Anonymous
| Nope. I have two rule-following girls and I didn’t do this until they were each 10. |