Is it common for middle schoolers to be home by themselves in the mornings?

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine has a daughter starting middle school (6th grade) at a school that does not have any sort of before school program. She and her husband both leave the house for work at 6, so this year her daughter will be responsible for getting herself up, ready and to the bus stop on her own. If she misses the bus she's just screwed. This makes me wonder how typical of a scenario this is for middle school age kids.

[Anonymous]

I was on my own in mornings starting in 2nd grade. Way too young. I see no problem with 6 grade as long as she is mature.

[Anonymous]

It doesn't seem crazy to me (though I'm not sure my 6th grade ds would be up to it), but what happens if the daughter wakes up and is sick. Does she just stay alone?

[Anonymous]

It's not crazy at all. Not common in this area, because other than DC the middle schoolers often have the earliest start times, but it's not a big deal. My teenager was home alone in the a.m.'s because I also had a job with a very early start.

If anything, I'd say that a preteen/young teenager is less likely get themselves in trouble staying alone for an hour at 6:00 a.m. then at 3:00 p.m..

[Anonymous]

Most of my 8th grade students are alone in the morning.

[Anonymous]

My neighbor does this. He missed the bus once and asked me to drive him. His mom needs to work to pay the bills and feed her family. I work at home a few days a week so it was not a big deal.

My son would take the bus home and be alone in the afternoon some times. I don't see why he couldn't do it in the am.

If he were sick I would have him call me and I would drive home. I have left my sick middle schooler at home by himself.

[Anonymous]

My 12 year old and most of her friends would be 100% capable of doing this and I'd be fine with it. My DH is more protective and would probably be uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

My 6th grader (elementary school) got himself to the bus each morning because the start time was so late.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem crazy to me (though I'm not sure my 6th grade ds would be up to it), but what happens if the daughter wakes up and is sick. Does she just stay alone?

OP here. It doesn't seem crazy to me either, but it certainly seems less than desirable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 12 year old and most of her friends would be 100% capable of doing this and I'd be fine with it. My DH is more protective and would probably be uncomfortable.

The only problem I see with it is if she misses the bus she has to stay home from school. I consider my DD to be a fairly typical 11 year old and I definitely think there would be mornings where she wouldn't get it together in time.

[Anonymous]

I think it is fine especially if you are in touch via text. Are you asking because you're going to pass judgment on your "friend"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem crazy to me (though I'm not sure my 6th grade ds would be up to it), but what happens if the daughter wakes up and is sick. Does she just stay alone?

OP here. It doesn't seem crazy to me either, but it certainly seems less than desirable.

Maybe for your kids, it is undesirable. This is an expensive area, with intense jobs so people have to work. People make choices/trade offs that work for their families. By middle school it's fine if the kids take some responsibility. Stop being so judgmental and MYOB.

[Anonymous]

As long as there is a back up plan if he misses the bus..or it does not come..I think it is fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem crazy to me (though I'm not sure my 6th grade ds would be up to it), but what happens if the daughter wakes up and is sick. Does she just stay alone?

OP here. It doesn't seem crazy to me either, but it certainly seems less than desirable.

My job pays me $63K per year which is certainly less than desirable. That's life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem crazy to me (though I'm not sure my 6th grade ds would be up to it), but what happens if the daughter wakes up and is sick. Does she just stay alone?

OP here. It doesn't seem crazy to me either, but it certainly seems less than desirable.

Maybe for your kids, it is undesirable. This is an expensive area, with intense jobs so people have to work. People make choices/trade offs that work for their families. By middle school it's fine if the kids take some responsibility. Stop being so judgmental and MYOB.

Oh dear God relax! I'm not "passing judgement" and FYI. She is very nervous about how this is going to go over. I'm just wondering if it's common for middle schoolers to be in a situation where if they don't make the bus they are basically on a situation where they have to stay home.