What age to leave a child alone for 1/2 hour at night?

Rachie_B

IMO half an hour at 9pm,at the age of nearly 12 is acceptable

If the child is "sensible and mature" anyway ! which my eldest is and if in contact ie you have a mobile with you at all times and told not to answer the door etc etc ...

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi

I would feel OK about leaving my 12yr DD alone for 30mins at 9pm but she is quite capable. We have only recently been leaving her for periods upto 1 hr for the past 6 months.

My BIL/SIL on the other hand leave their just 7yr old DS and 9yr old DD alone for periods upto 1 hr when collecting each other from work. I dont personally agree with this and have worried about this alot...but what can I do ...fingers x'd that nothing does happen!

PP
xx

daisy_doughnut

i think that times have changed so much since we were younger at
14 i was sitting for my younger brother and sister they were 8 and 5 at the time

i do think it will differ in every family as some children act and behave more responcible than some

i think you have to go with your instincs as a responcible adult/parent
my DD is 13 nearly 14 and IMO very mature for her age i do leave her in the day an sometimes in the evening but not to go out on the town just to pop to a friends for a brew most of the time she isnt in anyway but out with her friends

but on the other hand what worries me most is would she truely know what to do in an emergency a fire ect
you can sit them down an go through what to do but in the actual situation there would be panick and fear i think it will be a while before i leave her for more that a few hours in the evening

i think the first time with out a sitter will probally be when she isnt actually living at home any more...lol

but her knowing that i trust her in the house alone also gives her a little confidence boost

Savvy_Sue

I think the father is over-reacting, personally.

The child is going on 12, and ASKED to be left at home to put himself to bed. He's showing sense and maturity. It's not something that happens regularly. It wasn't for a long time (OK, there might have been a delay) and it wasn't as if his mum went out in the middle of the night without telling the children.

As his mum, I'd have worried all the way to and from picking up the other child, but I'd have done exactly the same as the OP's friend.

And before going out, I'd probably have run through the drill: if the house catches fire get out, if you're worried go to the neighbour, you don't answer the door, you don't answer the phone unless it's our special ringing pattern etc etc etc. I'd have bored the child to sleep before leaving, in all probability ...

But then, I'm not sure my youngest would have shown the same degree of sense and maturity ...

nickyhutch

My son is almost 13 and we've been allowing him to stay home alone since he started secondary school. He knows not to answer the door, we don't use a landline, he has his mobile and is allowed friends round if he asks first.

He's proved himself to be sensible and responsible and deserves us putting some trust in him.

Oldernotwiser

liney wrote: »

11 for a short time during the day, 13 for short periods in the evening, and 15 for an evening out. This was my ruleing as a child, and i was fine. It would depend on the child though as you say.

As many 15 year olds babysit other children, this seems a bit extreme!

bright_side

My eldest will be 17 in September and I won't leave her home alone when it's dark for more than an hour and then no later than 9pm. That's nothing to do with her, it's simply because I was completely terrified being home alone when I was a teenager and I don't want to risk her feeling that way. She more often than not has friends round anyway so it's not a problem

nickyhutch

17? She could be married with kids by now! I think if you don' t let her be alone at home you run the risk of making her frightened of it - you make it seem something to be frightened of.

liney

Originally Posted by liney
11 for a short time during the day, 13 for short periods in the evening, and 15 for an evening out. This was my ruleing as a child, and i was fine. It would depend on the child though as you say.

Oldernotwiser
As many 15 year olds babysit other children, this seems a bit extreme!

Was the rules in my house, when i was a kid. I know what you mean about the babysitting,although to be honest, i wouldnt be happy with a 15 year old babysitting unless it was siblings, but that's a different thread.

Under the circumstances described, i don't think the mother did anything wrong.

Mark7799

karen23 wrote: »

My eldest will be 17 in September and I won't leave her home alone when it's dark for more than an hour and then no later than 9pm. That's nothing to do with her, it's simply because I was completely terrified being home alone when I was a teenager and I don't want to risk her feeling that way. She more often than not has friends round anyway so it's not a problem

Don't you think you are risking that she will be terrified if you don't put her in that situation. It will have to happen one day.