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For parents, leaving a child home alone can be a difficult decision. However, some situations arise where it can become necessary. Therefore, if you are planning to leave your child home alone you need to ensure that it is legal to do so. There are guidelines determined by each state to help avoid any safety concerns once leaving your child home alone.
Ken is an active member of the American Bar Association, San Francisco Bar Association, and the California Lawyers for the Arts. Contact a qualified family law attorney to make sure your rights are protected. Consider programs offered by schools, organizations, and churches as an alternative to leaving a child home alone for extended periods time.
Getting Your Home Ready for Your Tween
You should give your child chores that are age appropriate and that will help them build confidence and self esteem. First, talk with your teen to see if they feel comfortable staying home alone overnight. This is a big step from being at home alone during the day, and you want to make sure your teen feels confident before you leave them. Consider finding a place for brothers and sisters to go while you let your teen practice being home alone a few times before having them babysit siblings overnight.
The oldest child should also be able to identify safety hazards, avoid them, and know what to do in emergencies. While it's a good idea to look into your local laws, don’t base your decision on your teen’s age alone. Some 17-year-olds are capable and responsible enough to be home alone overnight, but others may be too impulsive or susceptible to peer pressure to be ready for the responsibility. Only a few states have laws that clearly state the minimum age at which you can leave your children home alone. Most states allow the parents to make the final decision.
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Make sure they know who to contact in an emergency and when to call for help. Other than the list on how to know whether your child is ready to stay at home alone, there are also some things that your child should know and be able to do to stay at home alone. In addition to the suggestions listed above, it's always a good idea to inform immediate neighbors that your child may be home alone on some days. Not only can a neighbor be a good resource in the event of an emergency, it can help alleviate potential calls to child protective services by unaware neighbors.
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A 12-year-old girl is not a teenager yet not exactly a child anymore. Normal behavior for a 12-year-old girl may include mood swings, increasing technological savvy, development of new interests and other changes. Establish house rules and make your expectations clear. Saying, "I expect you to still be home by your usual curfew and not to have any friends over without my permission" can go a long way. Go over what to do in case of an emergency, and make sure they have contact information for family members, friends, and any emergency numbers in their phone.
And when are your kids old enough to start babysitting? Experts say the answers to these questions depend on your child's maturity and your situation. Maybe you have an important meeting that you can’t miss, or it’s school holidays and you have no one to look after your kids. You might be wondering whether it is safe to leave your teenager home alone or at what age your kid can legally stay home without adult supervision. She says parents should look at what levels of responsibility that child has at home during other times.
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Child and parent coach Jenny Hanlon says these guidelines were created by looking at when children's brains are developmentally ready. There are no Minnesota laws spelling out specific ages, but the state does offer guidelines that the counties generally follow. MINNEAPOLIS -- Summer is just around the corner and that has lots of families scrambling to figure out childcare.
Has your tween shown signs of responsibility in the past? Examples include finishing homework on time without having to be asked and doing chores around the house. Your concerns are warranted, but there are also some real benefits to leaving preteens home alone, or letting them babysit for younger siblings. First, you're fostering a sense of responsibility. And second, you might actually be able to get out for a quiet, kid-free meal with your spouse. Parents with interested older children may want to explore babysitting courses, which can be useful for children who stay home alone and care for themselves.
It will send you a notification of your child’s whereabouts such as when they arrive at home or school. You have access to your child’s location history and can even listen in if needed. This is a major factor to consider as there is a big difference between leaving your child for an hour compared to the whole day. Kids ages may be left alone up to three hours but not “late at night.” Per her research, only kids 16 and up may be left unsupervised overnight. I’m Kerry, the mother of two girls and a certified parent educator. I believe it is possible for parents to have a supportive, loving, and warm relationship with their kids while raising them to be independent and ultimately self-sufficient.
The list can also include reminders and a checklist of important information or things to remember. That question is never an easy one to answer, but the law in your state does provide guidance. Because your child's safety is of paramount importance, speak with a legal expert who can provide you with a clear answer. A family law attorney in your jurisdiction will be able to explain the laws of your state and help you understand how to comply with them.
Every child is different and must be assessed based on their maturity, skills and comfort level to be home alone. Having your older child babysit their younger sibling can be a great way to save money instead of paying a babysitter. It helps teach your children responsibility and independence, as well as encourages bonding between siblings. In the end, deciding to leave your children home alone can be daunting, but if they are mature and ready it can be a positive experience for both you and them.
Parents can start small with 30 minutes, then gradually increase that time once a child proves themselves to be responsible and trustworthy. Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Every teen is different, and you know your child better than anyone else.
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