Is there a right age for a child to be able to stay home alone?

The age gap between my boys is large - 8 months, 9 years and 19 (my step-son). For that reason, I have never left my 9 year old home alone. I left him alone for about 10 minutes and dropped the baby off at daycare, This is the first time ever that he was home alone. He was all excited. I told him not to answer the door or phone and stay in his room. Since I did not have to figure this out with my step-son, I am not sure when it is okay for my nine year old to be home alone.

What are your thoughts?

Is there a correct age that a child should be left home alone?

What about time length? A couple hours for errands? A work day? Overnight? What age would you allow your children to be home alone for each of these.

Tags: alone, home, kids, overnight, time, workday

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Permalink Reply by Quinn Smith on February 29, 2012 at 6:28pm

I was scanning through a few blogs and found this article on a Safety Service for my children. It seemed interesting so I checked it out. Here's the article: http://www.tsue-thatswhatshesaid.com/2011/09/keeping-your-child-saf...

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Permalink Reply by Emma Kaufmann on March 13, 2012 at 6:35am

Here in MD children can be left alone at eight which seems really young!! I do sometimes leave my eight year old alone but only when the 11 year old is there too - but only for a few hours.

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Permalink Reply by Reesa Mckenzie on March 18, 2012 at 9:08pm

I think age 13 is the age where they are able to completely understand and able to rationalize their decisions. In Canada the law states a 12 year old is able to stay home alone. it is the parents decision if they think their child is responsible enough to stay home alone.

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Permalink Reply by Megan on April 8, 2012 at 12:09pm

11 if i member right

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Permalink Reply by Arline Saiki on April 9, 2012 at 2:38pm

In NY, it's illegal to leave a child under 12 at home alone. A twelve year old should be fine for a couple of hours. I wouldn't leave anyone under sixteen alone for a whole workday or overnight. Even a sixteen year old can differ greatly in temperament and ability. You have to know your own child.

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Permalink Reply by Debra Ferrie on April 26, 2012 at 6:28am

I let my very responsible son first stay home alone around age 10-10 1/2. This would only be when I dropped my daughter at dance. ow at 11 1/2 , he is allowed to be home for up to an hour, even more,as long as I'm not going too far.

I still take my 9 year old with me every where. But once I let her stay home with him when I ran to CVS.

I think it depends on the child, on where you live, on your neighbors and on how far you'll be and how long you'll be gone. But under 10, I personally don't feel they are mature enough.

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Permalink Reply by Arline Saiki on April 26, 2012 at 7:39pm

In NY you have to be 12 to stay home alone. It also depends on the maturity of your child. I wouldn't leave a child longer than a few hours though. All day is asking too much.

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Permalink Reply by Ronna Mandel on April 30, 2012 at 10:46am

My son who has just turned 11 was not ready to be left alone for quite awhile. I actually waited until he indicated to me he felt ready so we tested it out with leaving him home early mornings while I drove my older daughter to school. I started with small trips and like you mention above, have now worked up to leaving him while I run quick errands. I don't feel he is ready to be left alone in the evening while other kids his age might be. There are no hard fast rules as with each child it must be a decision based on maturity, safety and so many other factors as closeness with neighbors, etc.

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Permalink Reply by Nightowlmama on April 30, 2012 at 11:41am

Its different in all city's. Here it's 13. always use best judgement. Even some 13 yr old are not capable of staying home alone for short periods of time