Latchkey Kids lists the minimum age requirements for kids to stay home alone by state. Many states do not have a set law in place. In Maryland a child can stay home alone starting at 8. Children between the ages of 9 and 12 are considered to be tweens.
It is up to each parent to decide when a tween should be left home alone. When considering whether your tween is old enough to stay home alone, evaluate the following:
- The tween's maturity. Is your tween mature or is your tween impulsive? If impulsive, staying home alone might not be the best option.
- How has the tween handled being home alone in the past? A good rule of thumb is to start your tween out by leaving him/her home alone for an hour, then go increase to two hours. If your tween is uncomfortable or nervous, wait some time before leaving your tween home alone. Some tweens are just not ready to be left alone.
- How will the tween handle a household emergency? Fire? Call 911. Injury? If minor, apply band aid, ice, then call mom. If serious? Call 911.
- Will your tween be allowed to cook? It is wise to set a rule that your tween is not allowed to cook unless an adult is present. Many household fires are caused by not turning off the oven.
- How will the tween handle phone calls? You could have the tween answer all phone calls and take a message. Or, perhaps, you would prefer the tween to only answer calls from mom, dad, or a trusted friend. Let all other calls go to answering machine.
- Does your tween know all important numbers -- mom work, mom cell, dad work, dad cell, Grandma? Leave all important numbers in a prominent place in the house or on a message board with phone numbers.
- How will the tween handle the front door? Will the tween answer the front door? It would be best to have the tween ignore the knock on the front door, since it might be a delivery person, someone selling something, or a repair person.
- What is the tween supposed to do if a friend calls to play outside? Is the tween allowed to go outside? Should the tween not answer the phone?
Each family needs to decide how to handle a tween staying home alone.
Comments
Great article! I think I was left alone at home for brief periods starting around 8 or 9. I remember being so happy to be able to read in quiet! ;) Your list to evaluate is really great. I would suggest the parent and child sit down and go over your list together and even type them up and have the child sign them. Staying home alone is a privilege and the child should understand the trust factor that goes into you allowing them this privilege.
Oh and this may sound silly, but I was not allowed to answer a knock at the door, ever. Even if my parents were home. They said it was the grown up's job because you never know who it could be. Still to this day I don't answer my door unless I know who it is and am expecting it (unless its ups or mail. lol We have cameras so I can see who it is when they pull in and when they get to the door) otherwise I make hub answer!
I'm the child of a single mom, so I grew up being left home alone often. Personally, I liked the independence and I usually kept to the computer, but it all depends on the kid. Some kids are too irresponsible to be left alone at age 16, my kids are just 12 and 9 but they are responsible. so you have to know your kid. The idea of my children being harmed or lost is not something anyone wants to consider. I found an article by anationofmoms about a service that can protect your family via your cell phone. And, at the bottom there is an opportunity to enter a drawing for 6 months of that service just by liking them on Facebook. You might find it interesting: http://anationofmoms.com/2011/08/protect-your-family-giveaway.html
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