You'll also want to establish specific rules about food. You will probably feel safest if you don't allow your child to cook any food except in the microwave. You don't want to worry about accidental cooking fires or burners being left on.
Parents should know that the home-alone trial stage can be misleading. The arrangement typically goes well because both the parent and the child want it to be a success. The danger comes when a child has become comfortable with being home alone and begins to crave even greater independence.
Boredom can breed the temptation to have a friend over, go outside in the front yard, or take a quick walk. That's when the potential for danger or trouble escalates. The tween and early teen years are when most parents typically agree to let a child stay home alone.
However, adolescence is also entering the picture and with it the desire to test rules and challenge authority. If you choose to let your child stay home alone, you'll need to be vigilant in checking that the rules are being followed while you are away.
Kids often capitalize on the fact that working parents are stressed and tired and aren't careful in checking for details. Finally, try to find a neighbor who is aware your child will be home alone. Ask him to keep a discreet eye on your home and your kid and to call you if any unwanted behaviors or actions are noted.
Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Leaving Your Child Home Alone. Updated Updated May American Academy of Pediatrics. Updated May 14, Psychol Rep. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFamily.
And back in , a mom named Susan Terrillion was arrested for leaving her 8- and 9-year-old children alone at a vacation rental home while she ran out for 45 minutes to pick up food.
Laws vary for a few different reasons, Esqueda says. Court interference usually only occurs in situations where a child is potentially in harm's way. In the case of children being left home alone, a court would usually interfere under the principle of investigating possible neglect. Disparities also exist because children mature and develop at varying rates, Esqueda explains.
The three states currently with laws regarding a minimum age for leaving a child unsupervised at home are Illinois, Oregon and Maryland, according to the U.
Alabama The state has not set a minimum age for children being left home alone or for their babysitters. Alaska State child abuse and neglect reporting laws don't specify an age at which it is acceptable to leave a child home alone. It is up to the parents to decide when it is safe and appropriate to do so. By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Arizona The Arizona Department of Child Safety states that Arizona's statutes laws do not designate an age when a child can be left alone.
Leaving children alone is included in the category of supervision. When calls come into DCS, specific questions are asked to help determine if there is a problem for the child. These may include: Does the child know how to reach the parent? Does the child know how to get emergency help? Is there a neighbor to go to? Is someone checking in on the child?
Arkansas Arkansas does not have a legal limit on the age at which a child can be left home alone. Additionally, there are no regulations about leaving children in charge of siblings or others; however, it is not advised that an infant or toddler be left in the care of a sibling under the age of California No age is specified by California law, but the state offers a checklist of questions for parents to go through before determining if their child is ready.
These are the minimum ages. Not every child is ready then. The State guidelines are as follows: Children 8 years or younger should not be left alone. Children between the ages of 9 years and 12 years, based on level of maturity, may be left alone for brief less than two hours periods of time; and, children 13 years and older, who are at an adequate level of maturity, may be left alone and may perform the role of babysitter, as authorized by the parent, for up to 12 hours.
Hawaii No definitive law or guideline exists in Hawaii; however, the state cites the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that adults supervise children until about the age of 11 or Idaho Idaho lacks a specific law, guideline or mention of the issue on government websites.
Indiana Indiana has no specific law or guideline. Iowa Iowa has no law or guideline. Each situation is unique. Kansas In Kansas, there is no clear legal definition as to what constitutes an unsupervised child, according to the Kansas Department for Children and Family.
Children years should be left for only short periods, depending on their level of maturity Children 10 and above probably can be left for somewhat longer periods Kentucky There is no law or guideline in Kentucky. According to WeHaveKids. Maryland One of the three states to have a law on the books, Maryland requires that no child be left alone under any circumstances if the child is under the age of 8.
Legally speaking, was it OK to leave my 7-year-old by himself? In my case, in New York state, the answer is yes. Parents and guardians need to make intelligent, reasoned decisions regarding these matters. Knowing that legally I was in the clear and would be able to say that to any nosy neighbors lifted a huge burden, but almost as important was the conversation I had with Holly Schiffrin, psychology professor and researcher at the University of Mary Washington who specializes in helicopter parenting.
We talked a lot about competency, and about how parents are often so involved in their kids lives that they, in essence, rob them of the opportunity to develop the confidence they need to do things on their own -- which can carry over into their adult lives. Even though my son is only 7, I have seen his frustration and disappointment at not being trusted to do things that he thinks he is capable of.
When he was nearly 5 and I was teaching him to ride a bike, he called me out a couple of times for not giving him the chance to do it on his own. So even though it made me nervous, one afternoon last week I gave him the key to our mailbox and told him to go down to the mailroom six floors below to get our mail.
The result: he handled it beautifully. In fact, he made friends with another family in the elevator and was responsible enough to come back and tell me about it before asking to go out and play on the front steps with them -- which we did.
Emboldened by that experience -- and trying to negotiate the needs of three children, two of whom wanted to take the elevator back up to our apartment after hanging out on the steps while the third wanted to take the stairs -- I decided to see how my son would do supervising his almostyear-old sister for three minutes in our apartment while I took my 4-year-old down the stairs and back up.
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