Is it ok to leave 8 year old home alone?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| 8yo son had a mild fever and I left him on the sofa reading a book while I dropped younger siblings off at school. He knows how to use the phone and I had my cell with me. Round trip took 10 minutes. |
Anonymous
| Yes, it's fine. |
Anonymous
| fine |
Anonymous
| Yes, it's fine. |
Anonymous
| Fine, depending on the eight year old. |
Anonymous
| Fine, especially when sick - he's less likely to suddenly find the energy to do something stupid. |
Anonymous
| Yes, totally okay. |
Anonymous
| OP here. Son is very well behaved. Doesn't do crazy impulsive things. My husband is worried that some busy-body will report to CPS that we left him alone and all hell will break loose. |
Anonymous
| We leave our 7 year old for short errands like this. It's actually legal in DC, I think, where there isn't a fixed age for being alone. |
Anonymous
| Yes I have a 7 & 9 year old and I've left them alone for up to an hour, we've worked up to it over time. |
Anonymous
How would they even know? |
Anonymous
|
Yes, we have for over a year now when my DH runs me to the Metro quickly in the morning.
I also let him walk to our neighborhood park with his younger sibling (4 streets over) to play. I am trying to give him some opportunities now to go do stuff. He is going to be in MS soon! |
Anonymous
| I would NOT, not worth the risk. |
Anonymous
What's the risk and at what age will you be ok leaving your child home alone? |
Anonymous
OP here. Husband worries that DS will tell one of his friends and his/her uptight parents might report us. |