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Poll. What do you think is the minimum age you can start leaving a child alone in the house for short periods of time? How about longer periods?

Posted by bc/nc (aka HDNAGNDA) Sep 12 '11, 08:45

Let's consider short to mean a run to the store, be back in 20 minutes or so, whereas longer is you and your S/O getting dinner or a movie.

My wife says 10 yrs old for short periods. She says at least 12 for longer periods but my jury is still out on that.

Responses:

That sounds about how we did it. -- nm - Jim Sep 12, 09:14
My 2-yr-old has decided she can change her diaper. As far as I'm concerned, my job raising her is done. -- nm - Mop (196 lbs) Sep 12, 09:10 1
- "And you're going to have to start buying your own LEGOs now. These are daddy's" -- nm - oblique Sep 12, 09:15
My kids are 11 and 8. I'll leave both home together for short periods (30 minutes) and the 11 year old for longer - oblique Sep 12, 09:09 4
- The age can vary fairly widely. It's a matter of how much you trust their "impulse control." -- nm - mara Sep 12, 09:11 2
  - And how strongly you expect state laws to be enforced, apparently -- nm - con_carne Sep 12, 09:12 1
    - I don't believe Illinois has specific provision (hard age rule) except that under 14 you're responsible for their welfare - oblique Sep 12, 09:14
- Technically, they are not really alone. -- nm - The Ruiner Sep 12, 09:11
Pretty sure I was on my own in the afternoons as a kid starting in 7th grade. So whatever age that is. -- nm - sycor Sep 12, 08:54 1
- ~12 -- nm - muzungu psilotum Sep 12, 08:55
When I was 8 I was left to take care of my 4 year old brother a lot. Have no clue about this era. - ceregon Sep 12, 08:51 2
- yeah, it was similar for us. I don't think that's even legal in many states now. -- nm - loosilu Sep 12, 08:54 1
  - we were home alone all afternoon at seven and eight. I think my dad would be in jail if he did that now. -- nm - HPV McGee Sep 12, 08:58
I was a latchkey kid from about age 9. My brother was 11. We were fine. - mafic Sep 12, 08:50
i'd say 14 for longer (if it's at night). 11-12 for short. -- nm - Andie Sep 12, 08:49
11-12 short 14+ longer -- nm - Capstern (42 Days) Sep 12, 08:48
12 and 14 -- nm - prayformojo Sep 12, 08:47
I have no idea. It's too inconceivable to me at this point. -- nm - TFox Sep 12, 08:47 2
- (plus it depends on the kid.) -- nm - TFox Sep 12, 08:48 1
  - And perhaps geographic considerations as well. I honestly can't remember when I started being left alone. -- nm - bc/nc Sep 12, 08:50
12 and 15 -- nm - The Ruiner Sep 12, 08:46 1
- this was my thoughts too -- nm - Beaker Sep 12, 08:46
I left my 10 year old alone in the house for about 20 minutes, but I checked in - groiny Sep 12, 08:46 7
- oh and strict instructions..... - groiny Sep 12, 08:48 6
  - things have changed so much from when we were kids. - decline Sep 12, 08:51 1
    - Pretty sure I was *never* alone in our house which means until after the divorce, so 13. -- nm - The Ruiner Sep 12, 09:00
  - "You dial 91, and then when I say so, dial 1 again." -- nm - Don Homer Sep 12, 08:49
  - and I was still nervous as shit. nm -- nm - groiny Sep 12, 08:48 2
    - When in doubt, my mom used to send me to the neighbors house. -- nm - con_carne Sep 12, 08:50
    - That would be me. -- nm - bc/nc Sep 12, 08:49

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Poll. What do you think is the minimum age you can start leaving a child alone in the house for short periods of time? How about longer periods?

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