Reply to Can a 16yo watch a 12yo overnight, every night?

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Reply to "Can a 16yo watch a 12yo overnight, every night?"

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[quote=Anonymous]Who are these people overreacting? So long as there is a strong support structure, I would have no issue with this. Nor is this a college essay opportunity -- this is really normal, and not just in other countries. I know many people in my neighborhood that work overnights, and a setup like this is not uncommon barring other options.

As for legality, for maryland:

https://www.mulroneylawfirm.com/child-home-alone/#:~:text=By%2011%20to%2012%20years,for%20any%20period%2C%20except%20overnight.

[quote]13- to 15-year-olds can be allowed alone at home for any period, except overnight.[/quote]

So 16 is fine.

[quote]It is sufficient to leave a child under 8 years old at home alone if you provide a reliable individual at least 13 years old to remain for protection. For families who rely on their older children and responsible teens for babysitting, you will not have to worry about breaking the law.[/quote]

So, legality not an issue at 16.

DC: No age guidelines or rules, but you are expected to use your best judgment re:maturity of the child. This feels perfectly defensible: https://cfsa.dc.gov/page/faqs-cfsa

Virginia doesn't officially have guidelines but this Fairfax county site pretty explicitly lays this out: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/children-youth/child-supervision-guidelines

[quote][b]Babysitting Age Guidelines[/b]
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.[/quote]

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