Anonymous wrote:In Maryland, it's illegal to leave a child under 8 years old unattended, locked, or confined in a home, car, building, or other enclosure, requiring a responsible person at least 13 years old to provide supervision.

Here's a more detailed explanation:
Maryland Law:
Maryland Family Law §5-801 makes it a crime to leave a child under 8 unattended, locked, or confined.

Consequences:
This violation can result in fines or imprisonment.

Supervision Requirement:
If a parent or guardian needs to leave a child under 8, they must ensure a reliable person at least 13 years old is present to supervise the child.

Applies to all enclosures:
This law applies to any building, dwelling, or enclosure, including motor vehicles.

Cool. No fifth grader is seven years old, so this is irrelevant.

In Maryland, it's illegal to leave a child under 8 years old unattended, locked, or confined in a home, car, building, or other enclosure, requiring a responsible person at least 13 years old to provide supervision.

Here's a more detailed explanation:
Maryland Law:
Maryland Family Law §5-801 makes it a crime to leave a child under 8 unattended, locked, or confined.

Consequences:
This violation can result in fines or imprisonment.

Supervision Requirement:
If a parent or guardian needs to leave a child under 8, they must ensure a reliable person at least 13 years old is present to supervise the child.

Applies to all enclosures:
This law applies to any building, dwelling, or enclosure, including motor vehicles.

We have a garage keypad that our 7th grader (still 12) uses to enter the house. Our neighbors are aware she is home by herself, and they have a key in case she can't get in. She also has an Apple Watch in case she needs us.

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to assume English is not your first language but in the US daycare is for babies.

Why are you such a jerk? It's obvious what OP is talking about, and yes, some daycare centers do in fact provide after school care. We know exactly the kind of person you are. Nasty white lady who hates immigrants.

Mine started the hour-a-day thing after spring break of 4th grade.

He was allowed to use the microwave for things we had done with him before, but no oven /stove / toaster oven / etc. No big kitchen knives. Screens with parental controls were allowed once his homework was done. We had gone over what to do in an emergency, when to call 911 vs trying to reach us, what neighbors to try if he needed help.

He did forget his house key once. Sitting in the backyard for an hour in mid May didn't kill him, but it did make an impression and he never forgot his key again.

Which brings me to the real point: I think it's helpful to get a routine established when the stakes are relatively low: an hour at a time, when the weather is generally decent. I'd rather have that time in the spring than jump straight into multiple hours in the fall (leading into winter). It's a good practice run.

We have a keypad on garage and on front door.
I’d be ok doing this now and again, not every day though. Not for safety, just because my kids an only so likes doing other things after school, activities, playing with friends, shooting hoops etc.

20:24 here - Also get a ring camera if you can. You’ll be able to monitor when he gets home or if anyone comes to the door

He will be fine. Go over which neighbors house he should go to if there is a problem.

By 11, I was home alone with my 4 younger siblings and at 9 by myself. he will be fine.

Anonymous wrote:I did, but as a PP mentioned there were strict understandings around the use of small kitchen appliances and screens.

+1

Same

I did, but as a PP mentioned there were strict understandings around the use of small kitchen appliances and screens.

We got a house phone similar to landline for this purpose. We use Tin Can service which allows you to program specific numbers +911, but a normal landline would work too.

Yes it’s fine. I have my 10 year old DS set up with Facebook Kids Messenger so he can text me from his tablet when he gets home and if he needs anything. He knows he needs to use that time to do his homework and assigned reading, not to play outside or ride bikes or whatever until I get home.