Youngest age to stay home alone
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Anonymous
| Setting aside what’s legal here for a minute just for discussion purposes. What’s the youngest age you would think your child is capable of staying home alone for 15 minutes? For an hour? For several hours? I’m thinking my thoughts on this are different than some of my neighbors and friends, so looking for an unbiased opinion. |
Anonymous
| My 8 year old can definitely stay at home on their own for a couple hours. |
Anonymous
|
So much of that depends on the kid.
I now leave my 10 year old home for up to an hour. He has a gizmo and can call me and several retired or at home neighbors near by in an emergency. |
Anonymous
|
Here are the guidelines for Fairfax County. Keep in mind, they are guidelines- you know your child best.
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/children-youth/child-supervision-guidelines 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. |
Anonymous
| Ok OP here… Thoughts on leaving a 6 year old home alone for 20 minutes? This is crazy, right?? |
Anonymous
I was a latchkey kid for hours at six, I think it lasted all year before my parents finally accepted that my anxiety about being alone wasn't going to go away and paid for aftercare. I never caused any problems, I just cowered in the basement convinced someone was going to break in, watching Inside Edition very loudly so I wouldn't hear the imaginary burglars. That said, I think I could have handled 20 minutes, but it would be illegal a lot of places. |
Anonymous
No, that's not crazy. |
Anonymous
| I tho knits fine for s few mins on very rare occasions. Like not 5 days a week after school. I left mine at 5 once for 10 mins to walk my dogs in the pouring rain. She was totally fine. |
Anonymous
No, take them with you. |
Anonymous
| Yes, that’s a bad idea. |
Anonymous
| I left my 8 year old home once because she didn't want to come pick up her sister. I was gone the length of a Bluey, so it wasn't a big deal and she was fine. |
Anonymous
Yes. |
Anonymous
I have a 6 year old that I would leave home alone for 20 minutes if he were watching a video or something. He had a phone and knew how to reach me. |
Anonymous
|
It REALLY depends on the kid. My 5 yr old would be totally fine for 20 minutes. Hell, I've probably left her in the house alone for a half hour while I've been outside talking to a neighbor or someone working on the house, and she's happily humming to herself and coloring.
I have a 10 year old who would somehow cause a flood and light the house on fire while procuring a giraffe in labor, in the span of 20 minutes home alone. |
Anonymous
No, I didn't do it, but I don't think it's crazy. |