Knowledgebase: Parenting Questions

Questions about the managment of common parenting problems such as discipline.

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28. When can my child stay home alone? - Top

Age range: Varies greatly, but no younger than ten years

What you'll see: Staying home alone is a big step for both you and your child. A lot of preparation needs to be done, like listing emergency phone numbers, making sure your child knows how to use the phone properly, and finding out the minimum age your state allows a child to be left alone.

When you first leave your child alone, make sure it's for brief periods, like five to ten minutes. Talking about what it means to be alone at home and the importance of safety, like never opening the door for a stranger, is absolutely vital. A child of ten should never be left responsible for a sibling or younger child, as she has enough to think about taking care of herself. Use your instincts to tell you when the time is right, and rely on your judgment to determine when your child is ready.

What else can they do? If you feel your child is old enough to stay home alone, then she is able to understand a strict set of rules and codes of behavior. Keys and locks pose little problem, as does making an emergency phone call. She can enjoy listening to her stereo, do homework independently, and probably make herself a simple meal.

(-Elizabeth Ferber) - Updated: March 8, 2001

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