At what age would you let a kid stay home alone after school?

[ceyko]

I think I was around 10 - but like some said it depends on the kid. I would think no earlier than 9 y/o.

[td4087]

My son was in 6th grade (11 years old) before I let him go home from school without me being there; however, it was only for an hour or so before I would get home.

This^^^

[Chili]

Probably 9 or 10. It will depend on the maturity and trustworthiness of each child though.

I agree with this..

How about a slight variation.. At what age would you guys feel comfortable leaving a child alone overnight?

My Ex wanted me to let my son and a friend stay at my house overnight when I wouldn't be here. He's 15 and I thought she was nuts for suggesting it. But then realized I was younger than that when I started.

[Lone Sailor]

I agree with this..

How about a slight variation.. At what age would you guys feel comfortable leaving a child alone overnight?

My Ex wanted me to let my son and a friend stay at my house overnight when I wouldn't be here. He's 15 and I thought she was nuts for suggesting it. But then realized I was younger than that when I started.

I don't think I would ever allow my kids to be at home with a friend, overnight, without either my wife or I being there.

We did, however, let my son stay home alone all night by himself when he was 13, but it wasn't because we wanted to. I had an emergency situation with a family member that was in the hospital and my son had final exams the next 2 days and if he missed the exams then he would have had to take 8th grade again(or so the school told me). I wasn't about to put him through that. He was completely comfortable with it since he is very self sufficient when needed. He was and is very mature and is more trustworthy than a lot of adults that I know. We also made a set schedule of times he was to call us while we were gone and we would randomly call every hour or so to check on him. We were gone for about 28 hours total. I think the only rules we set(besides the known ground rules already in place) were, no going outside, no answering the door, no use of the stove or oven, and not to stay up all night playing video games just because we wouldn't be there. He did just fine and actually was happier since to him it felt like he was getting a chance to prove he was mature enough to make the right decisions when we weren't around.

We also had video surveillance for the exterior of the house on a remote server that we could log into anytime on the web. I think my wife had it running on the laptop the entire time we were gone.

[FoxBodyNick]

some cant be left home alone at the age of 20. some 10. just going to depend on the kid.

[kingjason]

We get calls on this all the time. When we get there we ask them who they would call in an emergency, what would you do if the house was on fire, etc etc. It has varied greatly in range but it all depends on the kid to a point. We have showed up where mom put up a barricade so the three year old couldnt leave her room. Now this was a concern of course.

[03trubluGT]

My son did it at age 10 for 1.5 hours till we got home. He was not allowed to go outside and had to answer the phone randomly when I called. We have talking caller id, so he knew it was me.

He would answer the phone randomly, or you would call randomly?

[Big A]

I was 12, when a jumping on the bed incident sent my little brother to the hospital with his head split open. Thank god for neighbors that were close friends of my parents.

Home alone? 10ish. They dig for porn, but can work a microwave. No weapons in the house that aren't in a safe, gun trained or not.

To be in charge of others? 15 to 16, preferably female. Boys are plain ignorant to their surroundings, until never.

[Cobraman]

I'd say like 13. But then take the privilege away at 15-16. It's an open invitation for mischief. A 16yo will probably bring home a girl etc

[Unicorn Jeff]

I'd say like 13. But then take the privilege away at 15-16. It's an open invitation for mischief. A 16yo will probably bring home a girl etc

............................

[Big A]

I'd say like 13. But then take the privilege away at 15-16. It's an open invitation for mischief. A 16yo will probably bring home a girl etc

You either trust your child, or you don't.

Being a kid yourself (probably offensive, but true), your opinion is invalid in here.

[Lone Sailor]

You either trust your child, or you don't.

Being a kid yourself (probably offensive, but true), your opinion is invalid in here.

His opinion is somewhat valid, he's just on the opposite side of the spectrum of what the original question was asking. That said, I agree with you that either you trust them or you don't. There isn't a gray area with it, IMO.

[Cobraman]

You either trust your child, or you don't.

Being a kid yourself (probably offensive, but true), your opinion is invalid in here.

Lol. I'd say I have a more valid opinion than you. I'm only eighteen and know what 10-16 yo's do when you aren't home as I was recently one. when you are young you welcome the responsibility, but as you grow up, you realize the opportunity. I don't care how much you trust your kid ( mostly guys) they will usually stir up some mischief.

The first friend in my circle to have sex was fifteen. He did at home before his parents got home from work.

The first friend in my circle to do drugs did it at home before his parents got home from work. And these are A honor roll students lol.

take it from me. My parents have trusted me for 18 years and were astounded when they found alcohol in my room last week. We are good at doing bad, and being left alone is how it all starts....

[Lone Sailor]

Lol. I'd say I have a more valid opinion than you. I'm only eighteen and know what 10-16 yo's do when you aren't home as I was recently one. when you are young you welcome the responsibility, but as you grow up, you realize the opportunity. I don't care how much you trust your kid ( mostly guys) they will usually stir up some mischief.

The first friend in my circle to have sex was fifteen. He did at home before his parents got home from work.

The first friend in my circle to do drugs did it at home before his parents got home from work. And these are A honor roll students lol.

take it from me. My parents have trusted me for 18 years and were astounded when they found alcohol in my room last week. We are good at doing bad, and being left alone is how it all starts....

WTF were you doing with alcohol in your room?

[Cobraman]

WTF were you doing with alcohol in your room?

Lol. Yup. The first thing my mom said " it was that mustang site!!"

I've been grounded the past week. Just got my phone back today.