Anonymous wrote:Totally fine in my opinion.

Something we did with my kids was run through what to do in bad scenarios. That had to show me where the fire extinguisher and fire blankets were. They knew not to answer the door. And they knew not to microwave metal or microwave at all while I was out.

You expect an 8 year old to put out a fire? No

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not. Think of what could happen and how you would defend yourself in court having left her alone at home. I also would not put up with a fight about it. Adults make the rules and children follow them.

While I think you're right about not putting up with the daily fight - parenting in a "think of what could happen" mindset, endlessly, is a recipe for raising anxious and depressed kids who don't know how to move about in the world.

Kids are not anxious and depressed as their parents supervise them. Be real.

Anonymous wrote:for those of you saying no- do you let them play outside by themselves?

Only in our backyard with lots of check ins. Too many bad things happen and it's not worth the risk. These kids have two parents and parents need to change up the schedule and work together.

Anonymous wrote:I would not. Think of what could happen and how you would defend yourself in court having left her alone at home. I also would not put up with a fight about it. Adults make the rules and children follow them.

While I think you're right about not putting up with the daily fight - parenting in a "think of what could happen" mindset, endlessly, is a recipe for raising anxious and depressed kids who don't know how to move about in the world.

I would tell her that the fighting is a sign that she doesn't have the self control and maturity to be trusted. If she can fix that consistently, and help make the mornings and afternoons run smoothly for the rest of this school year she can ask you again about the fall. But if she continues to fight or whine, the answer will continue to be no.

I don't negotiate with small terrorists. Her fighting you shouldn't lead to her getting what she wants.

Of course. 8 year olds (neurotypical with atleast an average IQ) are perfectly capable of staying home alone for an hour or two, let alone 15 minutes. My stepdaughter wasn’t the most mature 8 year old, but she handled an hour before school and an hour after school at that age.

Anonymous wrote:I would not. Think of what could happen and how you would defend yourself in court having left her alone at home. I also would not put up with a fight about it. Adults make the rules and children follow them.

This. Bad idea plus you are rewarding her bad behavior

No. 8 is too young too be home alone. I definitely wouldn’t do this- if she isn’t mature enough to behave normally and leave the house with you because you are the parent and says so, she isn’t mature enough to have the privilege and responsibility to be home alone.

I would not. Think of what could happen and how you would defend yourself in court having left her alone at home. I also would not put up with a fight about it. Adults make the rules and children follow them.

I would allow it to.

What I would not allow, is a constant argument over it twice a day for the last year. Thats crazy.

for those of you saying no- do you let them play outside by themselves?

Totally fine in my opinion.

Something we did with my kids was run through what to do in bad scenarios. That had to show me where the fire extinguisher and fire blankets were. They knew not to answer the door. And they knew not to microwave metal or microwave at all while I was out.

No, and the subject should be closed. No means no. Bring it up, whine, and there are consequences.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is she scared

Nope. We went to Paris last summer and she confidently told me she's ready to navigate the metro and go sightseeing alone next time lol

Kewl

100% I would let her do this. Do some teaching: sounds like she already knows how to call dad and aunt from the iPad - does she know how/when to call 911? What to do if someone comes to the door? Does she know your cell phone number by heart? Her address by heart? What to do in the event of a fire? All of that is very learnable by a responsible 8 year old. Tell her no cooking/eating/internet and do it.