Do you ever leave your kids at home alone? I know that our local schools have the police officer come in and talk with the kids ALL the time (starting in 3rd Grade) about being home alone, etc. They have been trained to be 'latchkey' kids... sad for some because they are home alone all the time.

Just curious as to your feelings on this...
1) At what age did/will you leave your kid(s) at home alone?
2) How long (minutes, hours)?
3) How far away do you go (distance, time to get home)?
4) Do you have a cell phone that they can reach you at?

Believe it or not, my kids do not want to go everywhere that I do, ha ha. I REALLY dread that part of Summer! I have to get away once in awhile or I go nuts. I'm so used to having my freedom -- I'm a stay-at-home mom.

What are your beliefs in regards to leaving the kids home alone.

Thanks for sharing!

1) At what age did/will you leave your kid(s) at home alone? I left her home alone starting at age 14, she has also traveled alone to NYC to her cousins house--she is 16 now.

2) How long (minutes, hours)? the whole day (8 hours) sometimes longer than that if I have to work more than that.

3) How far away do you go (distance, time to get home)? hard to say... if I had to guess, about 2 hours away

4) Do you have a cell phone that they can reach you at? yes but Grandpa lives 3 blocks away and Grandma lives about a block away.

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SPJRNTGADL!

haven't done it yet because my kids are in kindergarten and 2nd grade. I work at home so being a "latchkey" kid isn't something they will have to deal with (and I hope they never do). I would say probably age 10 or 11 to stay home alone for a couple of hours. I only say that because the local babysitters are that age 11-14 or so. Once they are in high school they have jobs and/or boyfriends/after school activities and don't babysit anymore I know I stayed home alone to babysit at 11 to 12

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The Red Cross offers a program to our elementary every year starting in 3rd grade. Both my kids went and we started leaving them then for a few minutes a time and only a few minutes away. Gradually it became longer and longer (though we don't go a far distance yet). We have left them for several hours. My youngest is more independent than my oldest (a birth order thing) and wants to stay home more. She's just ending 4th grade (though she's a Sept. birthday, so she's older) - oldest is 13 & in 7th grade. They both stay home whenever they don't want to go where we're going. They don't answer the door. We got caller-id when they started staying home alone so they know who's calling and only answer if they know who it is. They are allowed to go outside as long as the neighbors are home and outside, too.

They've never had a problem. Oldest was allowed to take a local babysitting course at age 11 and started watching younger neighborhood kids (near our house when we are home). Youngest wants to and will be allowed to take the same course next summer (she'll be almost 12).

DH & I both have cell phones. Oldest got one when she turned 13.

Lisa

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When my DS was 11 we started to leave him home for short periods of time. We have a 6 year old that I did not leave with him. We have cell phones and a several neighbors that we are very close to. (close in proximity and relationship!) He also could not leave the house or go on the internet. (also, no power tools, weapons, stove... these are boys you know!)
Then he took a babysitter course and at 12 we started to let him watch our 6 year old. Same rule, no leaving the house etc. This week I let them go outside and ride bikes while we were gone and a neighbor hit one with a 4 wheeler and bent the tire of the bike. The kids were OK praise God!!!

You really need to judge based on how responsible you child is. Some kids mature faster and are ready earlier. In WI I believe they have to be 12 to babysit, not sure if it is a law or a suggestion. I was really nice to get to this stage with our son because now my DH and I can be more spontaneous with our date nights!
I think having a cell phone makes a big difference, so I definately suggest one if you don't have one.

Well, I grew up in the 70's, and was raised by a single mom. When my sister was 12, and I was 9, we stayed home by ourselves. Even walked home by ourselves from school!

Not today-- no way no how. I have 6 yr old son, and a 14 yr old daughter. They have never stayed home alone. I can't say for sure when I would do that, but I know it's not any time soon.

Holly

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Hey Holly, how you doin?

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SPJRNTGADL!

I am a SAHM so I am home most of the time when the kids get of the bus. There has been about twice a school year that I am about 20 minutes behind the bus (sometimes I can't help it at the doctors office, etc.). So both of my kids have keys hidden in teir backpacks for this type of thing. They come in and lock the door behind themselves and call my cell immediately. They can get a snack that does not require cooking and they start their homework. Most times I am home by then.

I have left them at home alone when heading off to a parent booster meeting and my hubby is almost home (within minutes). We have a great neighborhood and neighbors that keep an eye out for my kids when we do this.

My kids are 10 1/2 and 8.

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I'm hanging in, how are you?

Holly

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Forgiveness is love in its most noble form. -Anonymous

12 if there is a sibling or friend there or 14 alone. 4-6 hours to start (evening out). no more than 15-30 mins away and cell phone on and also the number of the restaurant or place.

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rhapsody112@gmail.com

Well I say 12 or 13, because that is when babysitting courses are offered through our rec department.

HOWEVER, I work in a middle school, 6th, 7th and 8th graders--anywhere from 12 through 14 or 15. AND, this is not the best time to start leaving some of the kids alone. These are the ages when they start pushing for some independence. That is not always bad by any means, because if your children are smart and lucky enough to be strong enough to think for themselves and not let themselves get hung up with the kind of kids who can lead them down a different path, good for them. However, Middle School is also the MOST challenging personally for kids. This is when peer pressure kicks in for good. Bullying is harder in middle than high school by a long shot. Peer pressure runs rampant! I live and work in a fairly affluent community (came from a school district where 88% of the kids were on subsidized lunches for instance, whereas this district the subsidized total is under 5%!!). However, this also means that oftentimes even in two-parent families, to be able to afford this community, both parents work outside the home. A number of our "affluent" and fairly priviledged kids are exposed to drinking and smoking, drugs, and, sex. Sex of the Bill Clinton "it" variety as well as the consummate your marriage type of sex. SO.....you are the best judge of how mature and trustworthy your own child is, and you must make that call. Just remember, keep an eye on your child's friends, because what they do may very well be more important than what you believe your own child would do.

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Well, I always thought around 11 for quick errands since I started babysitting when I was 10. But now that my daughter is almost 11, I can't imagine leaving her home alone. She is very mature and responsible. But, the world is just so different now. I can't stop thinking about what if I had a car accident while running to the store or something. She wouldn't want to be left home alone either. We just talked about it over the weekend. She said she'd be afraid.

I am thankful I don't work. I can't imagine having to leave a pre-teen/teen home alone. To me that is asking for trouble.

Unless dd starts listening to the rules, never. She's almost 7 and if she's in the right mood I can take a quick shower and she'll play with her little brother. But only when she's in a good mood.

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