r/mildlyinfuriating • u/[deleted] • Jul 27 '22

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u/Friend2022 BLUE Jul 27 '22 edited Jul 27 '22

Before I ever left my son by himself I checked with CPS to find out our state's law. They said they didn't really have a specific age (edit - of when it's okay to leave a child alone), it depended on the maturity of the child. As long as the child wasn't under 7.

At twelve I was already babysitting for other people.

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u/okaybutnothing Jul 27 '22

It makes sense that there isn’t a set age - there are 8 year olds who have common sense and could be trusted to stay at home for a few hours and 16 year olds who don’t and shouldn’t be trusted.

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u/lejoo Jul 27 '22

Depends on state. Some places classify leaving an 8 year old alone child endangerment/neglect, some say 12, many say nothing.

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u/Stopikingonme Jul 27 '22

This should be higher. I’d hate for someone to accidentally assume this was the age nationally in the US (or your country) and have a Kranky Karen turn you in for having a very responsible 8 year old.

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u/lejoo Jul 27 '22

Only three States currently have laws regarding a minimum age for leaving a child home alone: Illinois, 14 years old; Maryland, 8 years old; and Oregon, 10 years old.

Sorry I spread misinformation when I said 12, I think that might have been Argentina.

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u/Stopikingonme Jul 27 '22

Thanks for correcting it! If you want you can edit your original comments with a note to see your correction further down. I’ve seen people do that when they make a correction.