How old before leaving kids "home alone"?

[miss_jayne]

hand to God, a policeman told us that there is no law against leaving your child alone, regardless of age in Michigan. he said he got a call on a child left alone who was eight. he went to check it out, but since 'he wasn't surrounded by knives' he left the child there!!! i almost fell over.

for us, each of our kids is different, similar to what Daniel was saying...he is responsible, can be home alone. our daughter who is 14 has been sitting for us for 3 years. small run to the corner store at first and now onto full on sitting, but she was born about 30 years older than her age, i think! i know adults who don't have it together as much as she does.

 

[cajunlizz]

Our state they have to be 14 yrs. old to be LEFT HOME ALONE .


I DO NOT KNOW WHAT AGE THAT 14 YR. OLD HAS TO BE TO BE IN CHARGE OF A YOUNGER SIBLING .


I do not think ANY child needs a cell phone .
If they need to PHONE HOME ( LIKE ET ) they can use the phone in the office at school .


KIDS have to many priviliges and NOT nearly enough responsibilities .

you give them an inch and they want a MILE .

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
How many kids do you have LIz and how old are they?

 

[holliewould]

Quote:
I was left alone as a teen and from how i was, I would NEVER leave a teen home alone in my house.

 

[cajunlizz]

I have 3 older children ALL grown and married with children of their own .


I just know for a fact , ALOT of kids are given ALOT MORE priviliges and they refuse responsibility .


My children earned their priviliges .

 

[averytds]

It really depends on the kids IMO. I know I used to babysit when I was 13. My neighbor boys are 11 and 13. The 13 yr old could babysit for me, but the 11 yr old I don't think I would consider even when he is 13. Just a difference in maturity. My state has no minimum age last I heard, but was considering one for vehicles.

Cell phones, depends on the phone. I got a second phone that I can lock out/in certain numbers and functions. It also has GPS so I can locate and track it if necessary. I make my DS, 9yr old, take it when he goes to friends, down the block or crowded activities.

MP3, don't really know. My kids have asked but don't have one. My niece got a cheapy one for Christmas. $30 I think. She's 8. She has to pay for the music herself.

 

[MagsC]

Well, I agree it should depend on the maturity of the child, but as stated, there are states that have laws about that.
I was the oldest of seven and was left home a couple hours at a time in charge of my six younger siblings when my parents when snowmobiling. We were pretty responsible kids though and this sort of thing seemed more common back then.

 

[AussieSharon]

I have a friend here in Virginia who was turned in by a neighbor for leaving her 13 year old home alone for 2 hours a day after school. Child services stepped in and she was in some very big trouble.

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
You have such strong opinions - regarding no kids need or should have cell phones.

I think its up to the parents, and as you don't have little children to worry ENDLESSLY about, its a totally different world out there now for parents, with the creeps and weirdo's - perhaps you should just leave that subject alone.

 

[Rhett&SarahsMom]

Massachusetts does NOT have a min age. And the only statute on leaving kids in cars uses the word "caregivers" which to many means daycare providers. But to me even a parent a is caregiver.

I am just glad that saying "No" comes easily to both my husband and myself. Getting the strong feeling I will be using that word plenty after she starts school. Right now she rarely asks for something she cant have. I mean. I am not going to tell the kid No when she asks for an apple

BTW I agree with cajunliz. Some of the kids, out there are down right scary. Telling a child no doesnt hurt them. Might actually teach them in fact. Many have no idea of what responsibility is. And it starts at home