We plan to keep our nanny until our kids can drive. It's not that you can't leave a 13 year old home alone (I was actually babysitting all day during the summer when I was 13) - it's the constant driving to after school activities, lessons and play-dates that make me think our kids' nanny is going to be with us for years!

As long as that 13 yr. old is mature and has proven himself responsible, then yes he can be left home alone for periods of time, however I wouldn't recommend leaving him alone for overnights or multiple nights, etc.

But if you do not trust your child, even if that child is 16 or 17, then you don't necessarily need a nanny, but you may not feel comfortable leaving him alone for long stretches of time either.

Well, considering the fact that parents here tend to have nannies, the answer would be: you're never too old to have a nanny.

I would definitely say it depends on the individual child but legally (in most states) children can be left home alone starting at 8-yrs-old and they can be left home with younger siblings (babysitting) when they're 13-yrs-old.

It depends on the child. Usually yes.

Is 13 an appropriate age to start leaving a child home alone?