Anonymous
Post 03/19/2024 11:18     Subject: What age can child be home alone for an hour?
Anonymous wrote:Unless there are special needs, this is the most conservative I would be and I think you could possibly be more permissive depending on the kid.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/children-youth/child-supervision-guidelines#:~:text=11%2D12%20years%20old%20may,with%20a%20plan%20in%20place.


I think the guidelines may have changed recently. My oldest was 7 when my third child was born. I clearly remember reading that we could leave an 8 year old home alone for short periods of time.

My youngest is now 7. We leave her for 20 min if I have to drive an older kid to school or sports very close by. She has multiple ways to contact us.

I think you feel more comfortable if you have older kids. My oldest is now 14, almost 15.
Anonymous
Post 03/19/2024 07:59     Subject: What age can child be home alone for an hour?
Why can’t you just take your 6 or 8 yr old with you? This 8s very young to keep them home alone just for the sake of your convenience. 10 minimum for short intervals (under an hour) and if they were responsible
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2024 22:49     Subject: What age can child be home alone for an hour?
Mine didn't want to stay home alone until 6th grade. And we started slowly, 30 minutes here and there.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2024 12:34     Subject: What age can child be home alone for an hour?
Anonymous wrote:Debating this in our house now. Our responsible 8 year old says she's ready, but DH is not. But there are times when it would come in handy, like I'm running late getting home and he needs to leave for something. It feels like unnecessary scheduling stress when DD could just hang out for 20-30 minutes until I get back. She knows she can run to the neighbors in case of emergency, knows not to use the stove/microwave or open the door for anyone.


Honestly it should be fine. Our rule at the younger ages was always “no kitchen- period”. They’d just sit and watch a show. For 30min it is fine.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2024 12:29     Subject: Re:What age can child be home alone for an hour?
8-10 depending on the kid but for me it depended a lot on where DH and I were.

Attending a PTA meeting at school around the corner, or at supermarket 3min away? 8ish-9 was fine for my kids.

Or are we talking picking up a sibling 25min away in traffic (where I could be easily delayed, and can’t return quickly if there is an issue) and DH is at least 1/2 hour away also? Probably 10.

Two very different scenarios from my perspective.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2024 12:18     Subject: What age can child be home alone for an hour?
Debating this in our house now. Our responsible 8 year old says she's ready, but DH is not. But there are times when it would come in handy, like I'm running late getting home and he needs to leave for something. It feels like unnecessary scheduling stress when DD could just hang out for 20-30 minutes until I get back. She knows she can run to the neighbors in case of emergency, knows not to use the stove/microwave or open the door for anyone.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2024 11:57     Subject: What age can child be home alone for an hour?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Leaving a 6 yo home alone is nuts, especially the PP that doesn’t tell the kid she’s leaving. What if there is an emergency?

We felt comfortable once in middle school. So, 11. No landline, and the kid didn’t have a cell phone yet at that age.


I think you might be referring to my post about my 6 year old not noticing if we're home if he's watching TV. That doesn't mean I don't tell him I'm leaving. Of course I do, and make sure he has a phone and can call me if something happens.


I still think it’s nuts to trust that a SIX year old will respond appropriately in the event of something like a fire. Or anything else unexpected/problematic.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2024 06:56     Subject: What age can child be home alone for an hour?
8, but parked in front of a screen and only for short periods of time.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2024 06:03     Subject: Re:What age can child be home alone for an hour?
Anonymous wrote:I tell this story anytime I see a thread on this topic. Several years ago in our town a mother ran out to get something from the grocery store less than 5 minutes away. Her 10 and 12 year old were home alone and made some toast. The toaster caught on fire, the boys called their mother who rushed home and called 911. In that time period the entire house became engulfed in flames, the boys ran upstairs for whatever reason and couldn't escape. They both died. I will never not think of this - and while we constantly review with DS what to do in this situation - call 911, go outside, jump from the second floor if you have to, don't use the toaster, here is our fire extinguisher, we have a family emergency plan, etc. - no trip to the store is worth it for me because you never know how someone will behave in an emergency until it happens. DS is about to be 11 and will be taking the Red Cross Babysitter Certification as part of the steps for when we will leave him at home. Regardless it won't be until at least 12 and even though it's not the most convenient for us, I can handle waiting a little longer.


I have a similar story from my country of origin. Kids were 12 and 10. They were badly burned in a house fire. I was very young abd cannot remember if they survived.

I put food on the counter and tell my kids not to do anything besides watch TV and use the bathroom if I leave for an hour. They are not even allowed to use microwave. And I have them on video call the entire time.

I
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2024 16:40     Subject: What age can child be home alone for an hour?
2 or 3 if napping
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2024 16:28     Subject: What age can child be home alone for an hour?
My kid doesn't have a phone, but knows that she can "call" us on the doorbell cam if they really need to get in touch with us.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2024 16:15     Subject: Re:What age can child be home alone for an hour?
I think 16 unless your child is mature for his/her/their age.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2024 15:55     Subject: What age can child be home alone for an hour?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Fairfax County guidelines (there are no laws about this in Virginia, just guidance)

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.


I think 8 year olds can easily be left at home.

I don’t think 16 year olds should be left overnight however. I think kids should be 18 for that.

Some of my issue with leaving kids home alone is that there aren’t home phones to dial 911. I wish Alexa could do it.


This is why many, many people maintain a home phone line. It is like $10 per month.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2024 15:25     Subject: What age can child be home alone for an hour?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Leaving a 6 yo home alone is nuts, especially the PP that doesn’t tell the kid she’s leaving. What if there is an emergency?

We felt comfortable once in middle school. So, 11. No landline, and the kid didn’t have a cell phone yet at that age.


I think you might be referring to my post about my 6 year old not noticing if we're home if he's watching TV. That doesn't mean I don't tell him I'm leaving. Of course I do, and make sure he has a phone and can call me if something happens.


Also, fwiw, I have only done it once. It's not like this is a regular thing.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2024 15:24     Subject: What age can child be home alone for an hour?
It's really clear based on this thread that this is very kid dependent.

And parent dependent too.

Kidnappings and horrible accidents can always happen, but I refuse to raise my kids in a state and culture of fear. Mental health & anxiety in children is through the roof.

I'd rather my kids feel independent, capable and competent from an earlier age.