Mine started at 13, so that's not so different. Here's the thing, though. It's not like it's a long day. Kids sleep until about noon. Then they make something to eat, do some chores, eat again, work on their summer reading and math (which takes mine weeks because school doesn't come easy for them), eat again, do chores, eat again, then maybe go to a friend's or the pool before we get home. They really only have a few hours alone each day because they sleep most of it away.

Also, sometimes they have plans - like some volunteer work, vacations, day trips with us or friends.

The kid next door has been left alone like that. Parents didn't want to pay for camp, or whatever. He's 16 now. He's very much into his video game and smoking pot.

Keep your kid engaged in something. Supervision doesn't matter as much as engagement.

I'm a nanny.

The kids I take care of right now are 10 and 12 and if I was their parent, I would be ok with the 12 year old alone in the house during work hours.
It seems very boring to be alone all day every day, but whatever the reason is, I would be confident with the 12 year old to do what he is supposed to do. Most likely his day would be spent reading, playing with the dogs and playing with a friend who lives next door (lots of outside space away from the road.)
He was that way 1.5 year ago when I started working for them and I would honestly not have any concerns (other that I would feel bad for him not going to any fun camps.)
His 10 year old sister on the other hand.. she is almost 11 and I'm pretty certain when she is 12 I would NOT want her alone in the house for that long every day.

So bottom line - it really depends on the child.

I'm with you, OP! It is a bad idea for any child to be alone that often all day. Even if he had the responsibility of watching a younger sibling it would add structure to his day.

Are you sure no one is ever checking in on him? At 12 I wouldn't think it should be every day but maybe a neighbor or friend's parent occasionally? Do the parents call or ever stop by at lunch? Maybe they are working shorter hours in the summer? He's almost a teenager and they tend to sleep late. Does he have evening activities? You are the aunt, not the parent, and it's not up to you anyway. At 12 I was babysitting younger siblings.

Anonymous wrote:He could stay home a week here and there. But I wouldn't allow a 12 year old to just sit around all summer. That's asking for trouble.

+1, but I wouldn't let a kid sit at home doing nothing ll summer even if I were a SAHM and there with them. That is the bigger issue to me.

This seems fine from my perspective. My husband and I both work and I lament that my son will have to go to camps every summer from 8 to 6. I look forward to the day when he can stay home and just veg for much of the summer, sleep in, watch tv, hang out in the neighborhood with friends..... As long as he has a friend or two within a short bike distance, I bet his days are spent sleeping in until 10:30, lazing around for a hour or so, go to a friend's house and wander to the park or strip mall or whatever, watch tv and play video games, and home by 6 or 7. Sounds pretty amazing to me.

I think it's asking for trouble especially if he is immature. What the heck is he doing all day? Playing on line going into chat rooms? Boredom breeds mischief. I with Op on this one.

Summer camps can be expensive. Maybe they don't have the money to spend on summer camps, or maybe he just wanted to be home the entire summer and be a bum. I let my kids be bums for 5 weeks of the summer. But I do send them to summer camp for several weeks because I WFH and I can't get much done when they're at home. Kids need a break from so much structure. One summer of being a bum won't ruin his life. For the most part, I did nothing all summer when I was young, too. We didn't have the internet, or even cable tv, for that matter. My parents couldn't afford summer camps. I have siblings, though.

Anonymous wrote:Could anyone here imagine leaving your 12 yr old home alone for summer days and have "mow the lawn" on his list of chores?

Yes, if it were a reel mower.

Could anyone here imagine leaving your 12 yr old home alone for summer days and have "mow the lawn" on his list of chores?

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP. He does have a friend who lives near by so I am sure he will see him. I guess I am a old fuddy duddy, I am surprised by almost everyone being okay with this. I guess I'll have to be okay with it too.

No, a real old fuddy-duddy wouldn't bat an eye at the idea of a 12-year-old being self-sufficient for the summer.