What age did you start leaving your child home alone?

[Anonymous]

My daughter just turned 10, and I was wondering if it is typical to start leaving kids home alone at this age. As of yet I've never done it, but I was considering letting her stay home instead of having to tag along (which she hates) to her sister's gymnastics class. This would be one day a week for an hour and a half.

[Anonymous]

That's fine and good experience for her. Just make sure she knows how to reach you and not to answer the door or phone and not to cook.

[Anonymous]

At 8 mine started staying home for short periods. At ten she stays home any time she doesn't want to come with me somewhere.

[Anonymous]

At 8 30 minutes to 1 hour about once a week. I would go for a walk, to a neighbors, to the store.

By 9 we had left him home up to 2 hours about once a month.

We built up how long he would stay home alone.

At 11 he would stay home for 5 hour on a regular basis.

He is 13 now and stays home all day sometimes.

I have 2 we did the same with the other who is now 11. He is actually a little more responsible so he could stay home alone for longer periods earlier.

Staying home together was a little more complicated but they stay home together without fighting all day now.

They can't have friends in. They must call to go to a friends. They can only use e microwave and toaster oven for food. (We have a gas stove).

[Anonymous]

With DD we did for a few minutes at 7, up to an hour a couple times a week at 8. At 9 she became a bit more tentative and fearful, so she rarely stayed home alone, and then only for an hour or less. By 10 she was ready to do more, so she started staying home alone for 2-3 hours several times a month. At 11, she can now occasionally stay home alone all day, and comes home from school to an empty house at least once a week.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends in the child.

My 12 year old can stay home but can't have friends over.

My 9 year old cannot stay home alone because he does like to.

The siblings can stay home together for short periods of time.

[Anonymous]

my 8 year old stays home for short periods of time, an hour or less.

[Anonymous]

My mom started leaving me home alone at seven and I didn't like it. I thought it was scary.

[Anonymous]

Interesting how "old" parents think kids need to be in order to stay home alone (8, 9, 10+)-- but go on over to the thread about flying alone and those parents are sending their 6 year olds on to planes alone and bashing people who think that's crazy!

I would leave my 7 and 9 yr. olds at home for a quick walk around the neighborhood (30 min.) but I would never send them flying without me at this age. I guess everyone has their own standards. My 9 yr. old is fine staying home by herself for an hour or two (daylight, no meals needed). She likes staying home by herself. I have a friend with a 12-13 yr. old who won't stay home by herself. I guess it depends on the child's track record and self-security.