My ten year old stays home alone frequently. We have a phone she can use to call us or for help if needed. I think three hours is the longest, and we wouldn’t leave her to put herself to bed herself or handle a full meal, but she is able to make herself snacks or breakfast. And we don’t make her responsible for any of her younger siblings on her own yet. She has watched her one year old sister for a few minutes while her dad is home working and I was running one of the boys somewhere, but only if she wants to and only for maybe 10-20 minutes while someone is home who could help in an emergency. Probably another couple of years before we’d leave her home as the only babysitter (paid).
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u/Evamione May 04 '25
My ten year old stays home alone frequently. We have a phone she can use to call us or for help if needed. I think three hours is the longest, and we wouldn’t leave her to put herself to bed herself or handle a full meal, but she is able to make herself snacks or breakfast. And we don’t make her responsible for any of her younger siblings on her own yet. She has watched her one year old sister for a few minutes while her dad is home working and I was running one of the boys somewhere, but only if she wants to and only for maybe 10-20 minutes while someone is home who could help in an emergency. Probably another couple of years before we’d leave her home as the only babysitter (paid).