when children are old enough to stay home alone

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hasbeen's avatar

hasbeen

Excuse me, Flo?

6,504 posts
Jan 13, 2013 10:27 AM
ZWICK 4 PREZ;1364998 wrote:There's no discussion. She's too scared to go in a basement. We're not throwing a baby into that mix.
ZWICK 4 PREZ;1364350 wrote:It's just funny that they want their daughter to babysit our kid that's coming in April but we have to babysit her still at 13. You're not installing much confidence of your kids ability in me lol

I'm assuming there will be a discussion. They just won't be happy about it.
Jan 13, 2013 10:27am
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Jan 13, 2013 11:03 AM
wes_mantooth;1364987 wrote:I left my kid home at age 3. He was potty trained, could get to his own beef jerky and candy. Much cheaper than hiring a babysitter so I could go out and do some coke and hire some hookers.

3? You're a *****. Kids can get that shit at 2:00, and they still have a diaper on!
Jan 13, 2013 11:03am
j_crazy's avatar

j_crazy

7 gram rocks. how i roll.

8,372 posts
Jan 13, 2013 3:20 PM
My daughter is 4, she's never getting left home alone. After remembering how i was, kids can't be trusted.
Jan 13, 2013 3:20pm
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Jan 13, 2013 7:25 PM
We started off with short trip or quick runs to the store she was 10 years, the age of 11 she was responsible to be alone and baby sitting
Jan 13, 2013 7:25pm
T

thavoice

Senior Member

14,376 posts
Jan 14, 2013 11:36 AM
WebFire;1364458 wrote:My son is 9 and he stays home by himself for small bits at a time. But he is responsible.
Yeah.....my nephew starting at 10 was allowed to stay home alone by himself for small bits of time...hour or two. 13 is most def old enough to be home alone and easily old enough to babysit someone else.
Jan 14, 2013 11:36am
M

MontyBrunswick

Jan 14, 2013 11:42 AM
I was about 10-11 (if I recall correctly) when I started staying home alone. Then again, I was a good kid and never got into anything (never got detention, etc).

And girls mature faster than boys, so 13 is plenty old enough in my book.
Jan 14, 2013 11:42am
Fab4Runner's avatar

Fab4Runner

Tits McGee

6,196 posts
Jan 14, 2013 12:09 PM
I really can't remember how old I was, but 13 is most definitely old enough to be alone for a few hours.
Jan 14, 2013 12:09pm
Pick6's avatar

Pick6

A USA American

14,946 posts
Jan 14, 2013 1:39 PM
Do not remember the age I was allowed, though I assume it was pretty young.

When I have kids, I wont pick a certain age, but decide based upon when I feel they are responsible enough to be left home alone.
Jan 14, 2013 1:39pm
M

Manhattan Buckeye

Senior Member

7,566 posts
Jan 14, 2013 9:02 PM
ZWICK 4 PREZ;1364330 wrote:At what age did you let your children stay home alone for a few hours?

My brother-in-law and his wife are going to a basketball game tonight. They have a daughter who is 13 years old. They asked if they could drop her off before they went to the game. It's not a problem, but I'd think a 13 year old would be old enough to stay home by herself for a couple hours. My wife thinks its different bc she's a girl but I'd think girls would be more responsible than leaving a boy by himself.


When did you/ would you feel comfortable leaving your kid at home for a couple hours at a time?
13 should be old enough as long as she's reasonably mature. 5th/6th grade was when my parents left to go shopping, dinner or whatever for the night. I'd just hang out in the study and go through my Dad's record collection.

That being said, I made the mistake of leaving a 12 year old cousin at home alone and he didn't take to it very well. So I suppose it depends on the child.
Jan 14, 2013 9:02pm