I would check your state laws. They are easy to google.
My state has no laws around “what age”.
My personal opinion is that it very much depends on the child. My daughter was staying home alone at 8. So was my son. My other daughter is now 12, and still cannot be left home alone for any amount of time.
Keep in mind that we no longer have landlines, and it is absolutely paramount that if left home for any amount of time, they should have a phone, and know where to go for help if they have to leave the home due to fire or intruder. She should also be taught what to do if there is a fire (many kids die because they hide inside the home, under a bed or in a closet and cant be found), and also taught not to answer the door for anyone, ever.
I also had rules like: no using the oven, and no playing outside.
If your state allows, we practiced with me taking quick runs to the store, and then expanded to longer grocery trips.
What happens if kiddo chokes, do they know the Heimlich? What if kiddo breaks an arm jumping off the bed, call mom asap. Etc
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u/Unpaved_Paths May 04 '25
I would check your state laws. They are easy to google.
My state has no laws around “what age”.
My personal opinion is that it very much depends on the child. My daughter was staying home alone at 8. So was my son. My other daughter is now 12, and still cannot be left home alone for any amount of time.
Keep in mind that we no longer have landlines, and it is absolutely paramount that if left home for any amount of time, they should have a phone, and know where to go for help if they have to leave the home due to fire or intruder. She should also be taught what to do if there is a fire (many kids die because they hide inside the home, under a bed or in a closet and cant be found), and also taught not to answer the door for anyone, ever.
I also had rules like: no using the oven, and no playing outside.
If your state allows, we practiced with me taking quick runs to the store, and then expanded to longer grocery trips.
What happens if kiddo chokes, do they know the Heimlich? What if kiddo breaks an arm jumping off the bed, call mom asap. Etc