The crucial point is that every child is different and everyone reaches the independence phase at different ages. This is one of the reasons why child psychologist Lisa Whitfield recommends promoting independence in children. This could include leaving her alone for short periods of time, starting at age 6 and gradually increasing the duration as she ages, but she cautions against expecting routine self-care. In addition to the suggestions listed above, it`s always a good idea to let your immediate neighbors know that some days your child may be home alone. Not only can a neighbor be a good resource in an emergency, but they can also help mitigate potential calls to parental control services from ignorant neighbors. Of course, the idea of leaving a first-grader home alone seems crazy to some parents. Unless you want to go home to find the cat with high heels and a hat. This “it-takes-a-village” approach often becomes the solution for parents who are not yet ready to leave their children alone at home. Options include multi-parent collaborations, shared nannies, or parents juggling work schedules so one of them is always home with the kids. Keep in mind that if your child is in trouble because you left them home alone, the law could hold you criminally and civilly liable for their actions. Having to leave a child alone at home is not an easy decision, even with a fully capable child and if your trip to the store will only take a few minutes.
Depending on where you live, there may be laws to help you make that decision and where the state draws the line in neglect. In this article, you`ll learn about the laws on when you can leave a child home alone, including helpful guidelines on: Similarly, California has no minimum age for babysitters, nor does it have a law governing the number of siblings or other family members a child can keep. Use discretion when determining whether or not an older child is mature enough to care for younger siblings. While a 12- or 13-year-old may be responsible enough to take care of themselves at home, they may lack the maturity to care for their younger siblings. Finally, if it`s necessary to leave children home alone — at least if older children are involved — you can follow these recommendations: Beverly Bird has been writing professionally since 1983. She is the author of several novels, including the bestsellers “Comes the Rain” and “With Every Breath”. Bird also has extensive experience as a paralegal, particularly in the areas of divorce and family law, insolvency and inheritance law. She addresses many legal topics in her articles. It`s also worth noting that there`s a big difference between leaving a ten-year-old house alone by rushing to the store and leaving them alone while you spend the night with friends. It is important to note that no two children are the same and parents must decide on a case-by-case basis what is best for their child.
Therefore, in addition to the general guidelines listed above, a parent or guardian should consider the following before leaving a child home alone: “Whaaat? It`s crazy,” says Bethany Cardwell, a mother of two under 7 who lives in Discovery Bay. “I can`t imagine leaving children under the age of 10 alone. I can`t imagine that. Provided you do not leave and leave your child defenseless without instruction and food, and is reasonably mature, you are unlikely to be charged with criminal negligence for leaving him alone at reasonable intervals. However, this may depend to some extent on the opinions of outsiders. Another East Bay mother, Liz Shipsides, once briefly left her 9-year-old son home alone while dropping off his siblings at school. She came home and found that he had barricaded himself in her room out of sheer terror. It`s just bad and scary,” says Mother Campbell, “I let her for 10 minutes when I take the dog to pee, and even then we use walkie-talkies.” Many parents assume that California has a law that states when a child is old enough to be left home alone, but that`s not the case. At this point, California lawmakers leave the decision to parents. The problem is that the absence of a fixed age does not exempt parents from being charged with criminal negligence if something happens to the child while he or she was home alone.
You can be charged with child neglect, even if you have never left your child alone at home. As a parent, you must provide your child with medical care, education, clothing, food, and basic hygiene items. Failure to do so can result in accusations of child neglect. “I`m probably one of those moms who would panic if they left my child home alone,” says Joy Steuerwald, a Fremont mother who has a shabby 6-year-old son, Harrison. “Twelve seems to be very good.” Below are some general guidelines to follow when considering the age range where you can leave the kids alone at home: All the parents were there. You have to run fast around town to pick up something like a gallon of milk, a dentist appointment, or something at work. You don`t want to bring your child, but you`re not sure you can legally leave them at home. Few states specify a legal age to leave a child home alone, including Maryland (8) and Illinois (14). However, most states have guidelines with the Department of Health and Human Services or other child welfare agencies that test a child`s ability to be left home alone. Factors may include the age and maturity of the child, the general safety of the environment or circumstances, and the precautions taken to ensure the child`s safety.
Social expectations also play a role. Cardwell, Discovery Bay`s mother, remembers the neighbors` reaction when they learned that a 5-year-old girl had been left home alone. Although the child seemed satisfied with the arrangement, many neighbors felt compelled to keep an eye on her. Deborah Lohse was left home alone with her two brothers after school, starting in fourth grade. She remembers a lot of bickering and a “boat full of Brady Bunch.” She and her brothers were also tasked with preparing dinner before their people came home. But she doesn`t feel comfortable letting her 10-year-old daughter do the same. California lawmakers dictate to theory that every child is different. Some ten-year-olds are quite capable of taking care of themselves for a few hours, and some teens shouldn`t be left home alone for more than a few minutes. If something happens while your child is left alone, you can expect it to trigger a lengthy police investigation that will lead a judge to investigate the case and determine if your child`s background and personality suggest you should have left him alone.
She also warns that children who stay home alone lack a lot of educational and social growth through summer activities and lose a sense of connection to a wider community beyond their parents. Related Articles Lifestyle | Bay Area Parents: Summer Daycare Can you afford to | Lifestyle: A theatre critic`s dream becomes a lifestyle | in “The Lion King” Trampled Underfoot A Mother`s Confession: Toddlers Aren`t the Only Ones Suffering from Separation Anxiety What should they do with their little ones all day? If grandparents are not an option, if both parents work crazy hours and money is tight, the norm in this country of astronomical housing costs, it can be a real stumbling block. Summer camp is the usual route, but it can cost you a package. The average day camp costs about $304 per week, according to the American Camp Association, while an overnight camp costs about $700 per week on average, and specialized camps are even higher. If the court finds that you should not have left your child, charges of neglect of you will be laid. In California, neglecting children is a crime. California has a mandatory reporting rule, which means some professionals must report to authorities if they feel you`re neglecting your child. These include teachers and school staff, adults associated with youth organizations such as community sports teams, and health professionals.
California law defines general negligence as a careless failure to provide your child with shelter, food, clothing, medical care, and supervision. There is a moment in every parent`s life when they ask themselves, “Can I leave my child alone at home?” For Cook, the confidence of being home alone taught him to rely on himself early on. He believes it has given him an edge in life. Right now, the state of California doesn`t have laws governing your child`s age before you can leave them unattended while you enter the store.