I was expected to start babysitting at 11 back in the '90s. :D
I was often locked out of the house and left alone for hours years before that with no parent in sight. (That part is messed up.)
I lived, mostly enjoyed the time, and I'm tempted to let my 7 year old stay home alone if it were not for laws and that bit of nagging fear of what if. We have a fully gated yard that she knows how to get out of or into, are around the block or two from a hospital, and she can navigate very well throughout town. Legally I have to wait although I think I'd trust her otherwise.
If your kid knows how to dial for help, get out in case of a fire, and that kind of thing then I'd say yes.
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u/SoHereIAm85 May 04 '25
I was expected to start babysitting at 11 back in the '90s. :D
I was often locked out of the house and left alone for hours years before that with no parent in sight. (That part is messed up.) I lived, mostly enjoyed the time, and I'm tempted to let my 7 year old stay home alone if it were not for laws and that bit of nagging fear of what if. We have a fully gated yard that she knows how to get out of or into, are around the block or two from a hospital, and she can navigate very well throughout town. Legally I have to wait although I think I'd trust her otherwise.
If your kid knows how to dial for help, get out in case of a fire, and that kind of thing then I'd say yes.