Your Children are constantly asking about it
and you have considered it several times.
But, at what age should you leave your children home alone?
My kiddos get annoyed with me
for dragging them around down town
so I can get errands done.
I have Been Leaving Mr 9 at home alone for the last few months
while i zip down town to do errands
(No longer then 1hour)
He is left with very strict instructions
we have our phone numbers stuck to the phone so he can call us.
Lately we have had Miss 7
asking why is Mr 9 allowed to stay home and she isn't...
I think she would manage quite well being home alone
but i feel that she is to young!?
I dont think its fair that Mr 9 should be held responsible for them both,
even though he says he can look after her and she says she will do as he says.
So what age is the right age to leave them home alone?
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10 comments:
I let Junior 7.5 years to be alone when I pop out to run an errand. This is not very often though.
I have also given him the laundry key to let himself into the house after school, knowing that will be along about 20 minutes later.
And just last week, I let him walk from school to my work all by himself, a 7 minute walk. He was so proud of himself!
I guess there is no 'right' age as each child is different with their maturity.
We live in a country town, and Junior is a very mature 7.5 year old, and I trust him. I think it is so important as children get older to allow them to demonstrate that level of trust by giving them more responsibility.
You will know the right decision, just follow your mothering instinct!
Nic xo
I have a 1 and a 2 year old so I'm thinking 16 and 17;) I really have no idea but I guess it depends on maturity. I must admit anything below 12 sounds a little young to me but I'll probably feel differently when my kids are older:)
Excellent question. We spend most of our time in Qatar and live on a compound so there is no such thing as "alone" but when we head back to Oz every June - September and I really struggle with leaving them while I race to the shop etc. My eldest is 10 and very reliable but my youngest is 4...too young. I'd love to hear peoples thoughts.
Just discovered your blog and become your latest follower. If you get a minute come over and see my Shamozal in Qatar.
Kirstyx
Trust your gut for what you know your children to be responsible for. What an exciting time though to be testing those waters and increasing your independence! I am 35. I remember my mom leaving us alone when I was 8 (I was youngest). My son is 3 on Thursday. The other day, he said, "I just stay here by myself." I was like, "um, no." !!! Oh, my, he's already asking!
I have left my 4 year old for 5-10 min when he refuses to come down with me to hang the laundry or take the rubbish out... He was fine, he wasn't scared or bored, he just happy to just play by himself. For longer periods of time I don't know yet. My parents left me alone when I was 7 but times were different then...
I'm a mum of a five month old and three year old, so take my advice with a grain of salt!! LOL! I'm guessing it comes down to the child - some are more mature earlier than others. Such a hard question though, isn't it?
My son is only turning one next week, so I'm really not up to this dilemma yet.
I know at 14 I was responsible for two 4 year olds and I look back and think I must have done an ok job.
My brother, only eighteen months younger than me, was never considered for the job so I suppose it depends on the individual child and how you, as their mother, think they will handle it.
Popping over from FYBF xx
Oooh this is a tough one isn't it?! I wasn't left alone for extended periods of time until I was in my early teens but my parents were VERY over protective. But 10-20 minutes here and there was probably when I was 8.
Hard one to answer. I remember being home without parents from about 10 years, but I'm from a big family and it was never just me on my own, but me and some combination of siblings.
My son is 11 and hasn't been left home alone as yet. I think he might be ok with it if I had to make a quick dash somewhere, but with his diabetes I just won't risk it. If he had a hypo and I wasn't here I couldn't forgive myself. So, I guess there a heaps of factors involved in making this decision.. you know what's best for you and your kids, so I'm sure you are making the right decisions.
I am probably more relaxed than most and I let my kids walk home from school a few days a week and let themselves in. It is normally a 15 minute walk, but they get distracted and it takes them around 30 minutes! They call me when they arrive home and I let them know when I will be home. Normally I am home around the same time as them but some afternoons they are home a few hours before I can get home. This began last year when the boy was 8 and the girl 6 (going on 16!).
I grew up in a small country town where the only rules I had to live by were 1) leave a note on the table saying where I am and 2) tell mum and dad before the neighbours do! As a result my folks knew where I was and I had an open line of communication if I needed it.
I now live in an inner city suburb where we know all of our neighbours and the kids know how to use the phone, microwave and all essentials when we are out. Most importantly, I feel confident leaving them and they thrive on the independence and sense of responsibility.
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