[Singlemom619]

In another thread we started talking about leaving children home alone...

So I'm curious what other people think about this topic, ages, ect...

Here's what I said in the other thread:

In my county they "Advise" that a child can be left alone for 1-3 hours at 10 years old. Then at 12 or 13 (don't remember which) they can be left alone for several hours. This is during the day time only.

They say it's based on the child's maturity and responsibility levels....

I remember being a latch key kid in kindergarten.... I had two older siblings that were in 3rd and 4th grade and we were home alone every day until 5-7 PM... Sometimes they'd go to their freinds' homes and I was home alone.

I'm not saying it's right - and I have rarely ever left my kid alone (last year at 9 I left him once to drive 2 miles to Blockbuster to drop off the movie that was overdue and this year at 10 I've left him to drive 1 mile to the grocery store to grab butter and milk.)

I just think you need to be aware of the rules in your area - and just because a child is home alone at 11 or 12 after school for a few hours does NOT mean they're being abused or neglected. For all you know the mother is doing everything she can to get by and can't afford after school programs.

And then I found this information:

According to the National Child Care Information Center, only Maryland and Illinois have specific laws stipulating the age at which a child can be left home alone.
However, the National SAFEKIDS Campaign recommends that no child under the age of 12 be left home alone.
When you're ready to leave your child home alone for the first time, be sure to:

• Consider your child's age and maturity level. For example, if your child is extremely impulsive, you might want to wait until he or she is older than 12.
  
  
• Begin with several "dry runs" where you leave your child home alone for short periods of time.
  
  
• Leave a phone number where you can be reached. If possible, provide a land line in addition to your cell phone number, just in case your company's service is disrupted for any reason.
  
  
• Call home to check on your child.
  
  
• If possible, make arrangements for your child to check in with you, or with a relative or neighbor, while you are out.
  
  
• Thoroughly prepare your child for staying home alone. Consider using a book, such as Dottie Raymer's Staying Home Alone, to discuss what it means to make safe choices.
  
  
• Be specific in discussing your expectations and how you would like your child to use his or her time. For example:

  • Is the TV allowed?
  • If so, are there any channels that are off-limits?
  • Do you want your child to answer the phone?
  • Should homework be completed before you arrive?
  • May your child use the computer?
  • Can your child have friends over while you're not at home?
  • Can he or she go to other friends' houses?

• Make sure your home is childproof. For example:

  • Are medications kept in a locked cabinet?
  • Are there firearms in the home?
  • If so, are they in a locked cabinet and/or do they have child safety locks?
  • What could your child potentially get into that might cause harm?

• Practice handling emergencies. For example:

  • What would you do in an emergency?
  • What if someone were trying to get into the house?
  • What would you do if there were a fire?

• Ask your child if he or she feels confident and ready to stay home alone. If he or she is hesitant, hire a babysitter and reconsider this issue in six months.