Deborah Lohse was left home alone with her two brothers after school, starting in fourth grade. She remembers a lot of bickering and a “boat full of Brady Bunch.” She and her brothers were also tasked with preparing dinner before their people came home. But she doesn`t feel comfortable letting her 10-year-old daughter do the same. California does not have a law on the age at which a child is willing to stay home alone. You are confident to apply your judgment when it comes to safety and preparedness. Although you can legally leave a child alone at home at any age, it is advisable to exercise discretion and assess your child`s maturity and development. Tamsin Ing, who has two children, Ollie, 6, and Charlotte, 10, knows all too well the challenges of being left home alone. Since she spent her childhood as a turnkey child of a single mother, she decided that her children wouldn`t pass that too. The Red Cross offers a babysitting course for children aged 11 to 15 to prepare them to care for young children. If your child is responsible for caring for younger siblings, consider enrolling them in this course, where they will receive a certificate and a healthy dose of self-confidence, as well as an opportunity to earn extra money. She will provide basic first aid, CPR, emergency plans, and learn how to entertain and keep young children on time.
Finally, leave a fully charged cell phone for the child so you can call or text them to check in. Keep in mind that if your child is in trouble because you left them home alone, the law could hold you criminally and civilly liable for their actions. If you`re able to work or make another commitment where you can`t be with your child regularly when they get home from school, most child care experts suggest looking for an extracurricular activity they can participate in rather than leaving them to fend for themselves. A good choice are art classes, school sports and organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club. Another option is to make an agreement with the parents of a friend of your child, where they monitor your child for a few hours each week in exchange for your other tasks. “Whaaat? It`s crazy,” says Bethany Cardwell, a mother of two under 7 who lives in Discovery Bay. “I can`t imagine leaving children under the age of 10 alone. I can`t imagine that. One child may be willing to stay home at age 12, while another may need to be supervised until adolescence. Ask yourself if your child keeps your word and does what they say. When he goes out with friends, is he good at letting you know where he`s going and getting home on time? Basic fire safety training is essential, as is awareness on how to call for help in an emergency.
Your child should know their address, phone number, phone number, and how to communicate with friends and family. They must be able to engage in constructive activities, know how to prepare a basic meal or snack, and not be afraid too easily. Neighborhood safety is another thing to consider, just like you know your neighbors. When in doubt, seek the advice of the pediatrician, teacher and others who know him well. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists 11 or 12 as the appropriate age to leave children at home, but only during the day and no more than about three hours. The national KIDS Safety campaign recommends leaving no child under the age of 12 alone at home. All the parents were already there. You have to run fast around town to pick up something like a gallon of milk, a dentist appointment, or something at work. You don`t want to bring your child, but you`re not sure you can legally leave them at home. Anne Kinsey is a writer, businesswoman, minister and coach who is passionate about inspiring others, achieving their career dreams and believing in possibilities. She lives with her husband and three children in rural North Carolina, where they enjoy the outdoors and serve vulnerable youth together.
Leaving a child home alone has some benefits, said Sabrina Schuck, Ph.D., executive director of the School of Child Development at UC Irvine.
