Just Kate Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Dd and I are getting hair cuts in the morning and ds (age 10) doesn't want to come along. I imagine we will be gone around 2.5 hours. Is that too long for a 10 year old boy to stay home alone? Ds is pretty responsible. He will stay in the house and won't use any kitchen appliances. He would also have a cell phone on him. My husband (who's out of town) says leave him. But I'm unsure. WDYT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 I leave my 9 yo that long. It would be no problem for him. He has a cell phone in case he needs me or dh. On the other hand, that might be a long leave if it's really his first time home alone. Mine have had lots of practice and they started first with 20-30 minutes and then got to practice more by being "alone" but with dh upstairs asleep (he works nights) for longer. I think if I left one of them alone for 2.5 hours cold it might be nerve wracking and I wouldn't want that. But if he's up for it, then I still think it's fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Kate Posted August 15, 2014 Author Share Posted August 15, 2014 I leave my 9 yo that long. It would be no problem for him. He has a cell phone in case he needs me or dh. On the other hand, that might be a long leave if it's really his first time home alone. Mine have had lots of practice and they started first with 20-30 minutes and then got to practice more by being "alone" but with dh upstairs asleep (he works nights) for longer. I think if I left one of them alone for 2.5 hours cold it might be nerve wracking and I wouldn't want that. But if he's up for it, then I still think it's fine. Good point. Ds has stayed home alone before but never for that long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 It wouldn't be legal here. Do you have a neighbour who would be there if he needed them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 We have typically said 12, but my youngest is our most responsible kid and is 10. He has now been left for several hours without any issues. He actually loves it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 My kids were ready for short trips at 9/10. They knew our neighbors and our cell # . It was always fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlmiraGulch Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 I would leave him under those circumstances and for that amount of time, as long as he's comfortable with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 My oldest was fine at 10 to be left alone, my youngest doesn't feel ready even at 11. It really depends on the child. Also, check your state requirements. In my state the child just needs to know 2 emergency phone numbers. There is no minimum age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 I think it's too long to leave him for the first time but I don't think it's always wrong for every 10 yr old. I'd want to start with short trips of about 30min or less, then build up to an hour or so, etc. If he was used to being alone for an hour or so I'd think it was no big deal. My DS's school sent home guidance when he was younger that recommended leaving kids for short trips alone starting at age 9/10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I would be fine leaving my 10 year old that long…but he's stayed by himself before for shorter time periods. I would start with a shorter time frame. One thing that is important to my DS is knowing exactly when we'll be home, and having me call should I be delayed. Otherwise, he worries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I would, but I would also want to have an agreement with him about what he *would* be doing for that time. Does he plan to read? Watch a movie? Have a snack? Etc. And he would need to have a backup pan in case he couldn't reach me (reception issues, etc.). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimm Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I would unless the ten year old in question was irresponsible or anxious about it or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momling Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I think it sounds totally reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I wouldn't have left my daughter that long at that age because she would have freaked out. I was the same way at that age. I wouldn't have been comfortable at all being left for 2.5 hours when I was 10. I think a lot of it depends on the child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivey Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I've started leaving my kids home alone for very short trips around age 9, then worked up to longer stretches. I would leave him home. You won't be doing anything that keeps you from your phone, and he sounds comfortable with staying home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 It sounds OK if he is a responsible boy. Maybe give him something to do while you are gone, since 2.5 hours could get a bit long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 How far from home will you be? I think 2.5 hours is pretty long, especially for the first time, and I have to admit that I wouldn't have left my ds home alone at all at that age, but if you want to give it a try, I think there's a big difference between being able to get back home in 5 minutes and being an hour away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 Please tell me that whomever rated this thread with one star did it by accident. :glare: I'm giving it 5 stars in retaliation. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Kate Posted August 16, 2014 Author Share Posted August 16, 2014 Please tell me that whomever rated this thread with one star did it by accident. :glare: I'm giving it 5 stars in retaliation. :D Lol Thank you for that. And I appreciate the 5 star love. :) As for Ds, I decided to take him to my parents' tomorrow. I made the mistake of asking their opinion (why do I do that?) and they worry that he's too young. I have left him for thirty minutes or so before, and I honestly think he would do fine tomorrow. But it's not going to hurt him to wait a bit I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 Lol Thank you for that. And I appreciate the 5 star love. :) As for Ds, I decided to take him to my parents' tomorrow. I made the mistake of asking their opinion (why do I do that?) and they worry that he's too young. I have left him for thirty minutes or so before, and I honestly think he would do fine tomorrow. But it's not going to hurt him to wait a bit I guess. He will probably have a good time with your parents anyway, so unless it's out of your way to take him there, everything will work out just fine. I suspect that if you think he would be fine being alone in the house, you're probably right, though. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Kate Posted August 16, 2014 Author Share Posted August 16, 2014 The salon is about 10 minutes from my house and my parents live less than 5 minutes from the salon. No big deal really...other than I'm annoyed that I didn't just trust my own gut (and the Hive!) and instead asked my parents. Oh well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 The salon is about 10 minutes from my house and my parents live less than 5 minutes from the salon. No big deal really...other than I'm annoyed that I didn't just trust my own gut (and the Hive!) and instead asked my parents. Oh well. You'll have plenty of other opportunities, so don't beat yourself up! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 My oldest two have both been allowed to stay home starting at 9. My youngest will probably be older before I let him stay home alone. He's much more impulsive. My oldest one had to show me that he knew how to call dh's cell and the neighbours before I started leaving him for about 30min and then once we hit a spot where he called me to ask a question I felt better about leaving him for longer because I knew after that, that he would call if he needed to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I would do it, if he is comfortable. There is no specific law in the UK about this, but parents are responsible for their children at all times, so there's a case-by-case decision about what is reasonable. These are the guidelines from the leading UK children's charity. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 Here the child has to have reasonable supervision until 14. At 10 that would be someone in the house but by 12 an available neighbour might count as long as nothing actually happened and you weren't gone long. Of course if something did happen you may be prosecuted. Once they turn 14 they are magically not only old enough to care for themselves but also able to care for younger kids. Afterschool and holiday programmed cater for children up to 13. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Kate Posted August 16, 2014 Author Share Posted August 16, 2014 At least you know you can both leave the salon with a full haircut lol. If something were to have happened and he was home alone someone might have half a hair cut ;) Ha ha! Good point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLMom Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I left my 10 year old that long. I start leaving them for short periods of time (less than an hour) at 9. Never been a problem. It makes my kids feel grown up to have that independence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHASRADA Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Here the child has to have reasonable supervision until 14...Once they turn 14 they are magically not only old enough to care for themselves but also able to care for younger kids. Afterschool and holiday programmed cater for children up to 13. We have the same basic circumstances here, but the age is 12. After school care is provided for elementary school only. High school begins at age 12 (7th grade) and they are expected to care for themselves at that point. An exception is made for 11 year olds who have taken the Red Cross babysitting course. Both of my kids took the class, not so much for the babysitting, but to be able to stay home alone a few months earlier, lol! I don't know if it is illegal to leave kids younger than 12 alone, but I know 11-12 is definitely legal. As a homeschooler, I prefer to err on the side of caution. If anything did happen, I wouldn't want the authorities to have any cause to claim neglect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 If he's stayed home alone before then yes I might leave him home. That's too long for his first time though IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Kate Posted August 17, 2014 Author Share Posted August 17, 2014 So, for anyone who is curious, I decided to leave ds home alone yesterday while dd and I got cuts/color (well, I got color). And.....he did fine. :) I was able to text him several times while we were gone and then I called him when we left. He watched tv and played minecraft on his ipod. That's it! So glad I gave him the chance to grow up a little. Thanks for all the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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