Hellobee Boards Topic: How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?

Hellobee Boards Topic: How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 14:24:54 +0000 808love on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2587595 Mon, 18 Jul 2016 01:36:13 +0000 808love 2587595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Saw this online tonight. [attach=1524/16/oahzoe.463x600.image.png] Boogs on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2587362 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 00:59:16 +0000 Boogs 2587362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I was regularly left around 3rd grade. Looking back, it seems young to me for how much I was left alone and sometimes watching younger kids also. 10 feels more comfortable to me? But I guess I'll see as the years pass. Tanjowen on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2587348 Sat, 16 Jul 2016 21:06:46 +0000 Tanjowen 2587348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Guidelines in our state are not before age 8. I could see running across the street to grab something from the grocery store, but leaving for longer periods of time, closer to 10 years old. @aprild: 14!? We don't have a law, but CPS can get called if you leave children unsupervised that are under age. 808love on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2587345 Sat, 16 Jul 2016 20:37:41 +0000 808love 2587345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @aprild: what are the ages for the other states? cat620 on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2587328 Sat, 16 Jul 2016 17:48:57 +0000 cat620 2587328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Maybe 10/11 for a short time. There are currently only three states with laws stating how old a child has to be to be left home alone. In Illinois it's apparently 14, which I think is a little extreme Chillybear on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586940 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 12:51:50 +0000 Chillybear 2586940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ i know by the time i was 12 i was babysitting for other families in my neighborhood so probably 9-10 for a few hours at a time a lot depends on the kid and their responsibility level and risk taking nature LindsayLou on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586939 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 12:46:41 +0000 LindsayLou 2586939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Depending on maturity, probably around 9 or 10, for short periods of time. I think it's important to trust kids and give them some responsibility, but I'd want to ease into it and not overwhelm them. Meowkers on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586853 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 10:42:14 +0000 Meowkers 2586853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Hmm depends on the maturity of the child. I remember being 7 and being left alone for short periods and by 9 I was left alone for long periods and would watch my 3 year old brother. My brother on the other hand wasn't left alone until he was about 13 because he was pretty immature. My DD is currently 18 months so it's hard to say. littlebug on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586842 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 10:23:34 +0000 littlebug 2586842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Whenever they can no longer attend before/after school care at daycare. Because we won't have a choice. I was 11 when my parents started letting us be home alone after school (sister was 7). All we did was fix a snack and then watch cartoons and/or work on homework. I'd have no problem with my kids doing that at 10 or so. We trust all of our neighbors to help out if something happened (our immediate next door neighbor is a retired cop). LulaBee on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586836 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 10:15:34 +0000 LulaBee 2586836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 15. I'm such a worrier I don't see it happening before then. Mrs D on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586833 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 10:12:00 +0000 Mrs D 2586833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think 10-12... DD1 is 3 right now so its hard to see how she will be - she is in a rebellious stage! If she ends up being good about listening and following rules I could see leaving her at 10ish for SHORT periods of time. We will have cameras in our house by then... LuLu Mom on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586801 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 09:30:05 +0000 LuLu Mom 2586801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'd say around 10-11, our area is super safe and when we move grandpa & grandma (and other family) will be a minute or 2 drive away. It would never be for more than an hour. I remember babysitting 3 kids, youngest 6 months all night long when I was 12! That wouldn't happen these days ;) youboots on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586796 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 09:17:56 +0000 youboots 2586796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I feel like there is a law here about it- 10? I don't see any situation I would really need to leave her home alone. Even for a short time. josina on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586793 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 09:03:25 +0000 josina 2586793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My step daughter started staying home alone at probably 10? We started with just the hour after she got off the school bus till we got home (gma lives right next door if she ever needs anything). By 12 we let her home alone on days off school, but she usually spends all or part of the day at grandmas. We have yet to leave her home alone at night, although I'm sure she'd be fine. We live in a very safe area in the country. krispi on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586791 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 08:58:55 +0000 krispi 2586791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ At least 10, maybe 12? Mrs. Sunshine on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586742 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 07:55:15 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2586742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Assuming we don't move. I might leave them for an hour or so sometimes around 8. We live close enough to MIL now that as long as I'm standing out on the porch, my 2 year old can walk there safely alone, so depending on maturity I think they'd be okay for a short time even younger than that. But my general ideal age, even before I had kids, was 11 or 12. lamariniere on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586740 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 07:48:27 +0000 lamariniere 2586740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Maybe at 8 or 9? I could imagine running out to the grocery store (which is just around the corner) to pick up something and come straight home. But leaving them for several hours, I'm not sure. It will depend on how mature/trustworthy they are. periwinklebee on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586735 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 07:31:55 +0000 periwinklebee 2586735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ The first time my parents left me alone regularly, I think I was maybe 8 or 9. It was just for an hour or so between when the school bus dropped me off and when my parents got home, but TBH I think I was too young. I remember one day there was a really bad electrical storm. Our smoke detector was connected to electricity (no idea why, that seems dumb) and when there was a power surge from a lightening strike, it set off the smoke detector. I remember being terrified about what to do, because on the one hand we'd been taught in school never to go outside when there was lightening, but on the other hand you're supposed to go outside when the smoke detector goes off. I ultimately ascertained that the house was not burning down - and maybe gained some valuable reasoning skills in the process - but it was still pretty scary. I should say my parents didn't want me to be a latch key kid at that age, but really didn't have a choice. The elderly neighbor next door had been my babysitter but then had to go to a nursing home. By the time I was 12, I was baby-sitting my brother all day, everyday during the summer and we were completely fine, no issues at all. So I'd say for my kids 12 or so as a minimum. looch on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586713 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 06:32:23 +0000 looch 2586713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ In theory, I could leave my son alone in our house now, there are cameras covering almost every inch of the house (we'd have to install one in his bedroom) but I could technically see and hear what he was up to. But in reality, I don't think I'd be ready for that until my son is at least 10. 808love on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586696 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 02:51:48 +0000 808love 2586696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My single parent left me alone afterschool (latch key kid) in third grade and I felt way too young. I think 12 might be a good age to think about it but seriously I might go as old as 15. ALV91711 on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586682 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 23:37:18 +0000 ALV91711 2586682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ DS is 3, so I'm thinking when he's about 30....lol! It is hard to really say but I'm thinking 10/11 for a short amount of time, say to run to the store. But really it will depened. HLK208 on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586675 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 23:14:44 +0000 HLK208 2586675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Maybe 12? @oliviaoblivia: right?? The stuff that went down when my sisters and I were left alone... :shocked: let's just say, I'm surprised we lived, haha. birdofafeather on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586673 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 23:08:25 +0000 birdofafeather 2586673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 10-12? catomd00 on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586610 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 20:45:24 +0000 catomd00 2586610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My 2 year old is super independent and mature, so I can see her being ok home alone for short amounts of time pretty young. I wouldn't leave her alone though until 7-8 probably, we will see when the time comes. Mae on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586576 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 19:47:25 +0000 Mae 2586576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ ^ lol. I was 10 when I was officially allowed to stay home alone (there were 3 hours between when I got home from school and my mom got home from work, so I was alone for that time daily and it was NBD). I'm guessing they must have left me alone randomly before that to have trusted that as an everyday plan. I think it is just going to be super dependent on my kid's personality. She's 2 so it's too hard to know what she'll be like when she's 8, 9, 10, etc. oliviaoblivia on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586571 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 19:42:39 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2586571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 15. No 20. Leaving teenage girls alone in a house scares me. I know what my sisters and I were like in high school. No way, no how! mrbee on "How old would your kids have to be before you'd leave them alone at home?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-kids-have-to-be-before-youd-leave-them-alone-at-home#post-2586566 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 19:39:53 +0000 mrbee 2586566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My kids are 4 and 6 now, and are pretty independent. I've left them alone before with their iPads on, and they've happily played MineCraft without complaints. But I'm never too far away (I work near my house), and check on them regularly. I'm not sure how old they'd have to be before I left them alone for a few hours, and wasn't nearby. Maybe when the kids are 8 and 6 years old, I'd start considering it? That's way younger than what I would've considered in the past, but the area we live in now is pretty safe, so that's a factor as well.