I think the "recommended" age is something like 12, that you hear from most places, but there is no law in place to support that.
Yes, 12 years of age is recommended for a child to watch other children. There must be a child that is age 12 to watch younger children, and I think there is a limit on how many.
Actually I think 12 is the age to be able to babysit as well as stay home alone. At least that's what parents I know throughout my kids' classes have said. My oldest will be 14 soon and my next oldest is 12 and we have a 9 year old too. We have let them be at home all day as well and they have done very well. They know all our phone numbers and we call them about every 2hrs. We don't necessarily have to call but I do cause.......I just do...LOL I usually hear from them, "Gosh....Momma!......we're fine!" It would seem that you'd have to go by how you think you child could handle it.
we call them about every 2hrs. We don't necessarily have to call but I do cause.......I just do...LOL I usually hear from them, "Gosh....Momma!......we're fine!" LOL.....I call mine with his to do list and I can just hear the frustration/disappointment in his voice. Sorry....no your not going to lay around like a slug all day!!! ha....such the evil mama!
when my friend called they said babysitting was the same as staying at home.... maturity level - not age! and then she called the dept of labor to verfiy that info too! ??????
Link Here is a link to NC DHHS concerning a child staying home alone: http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cach...+nc+child+home+alone&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=us "What is the legal age when a child may be left home alone? There is no age specified by law that a child can be left alone in North Carolina. Parents and caretakers must look at the child's maturity, the safety of the community, and access to emergency assistance. A child may be mature enough to stay alone, but not to care for younger siblings. If you are concerned that a child is left alone and is unsafe, call your county department of social services. "
We also think that letting him learn responsibilty at age nine, he will be more prone to accept this responsiblity and use it wisely instead of letting him stay at home for the first time when he is fifteen. Younger children do tend to be more mature then a teen in most cases. At least at this age, he will be more mature at his responsiblity then a rebellious teen. Your thoughts?
To my knowledge, there is no set, legally enforcable age. A girl I worked with a couple years ago had to find out because her ex called the sheriff on her when he found out that their child was home alone for a few minutes before the mother got home from work, I think she was 9 or 10 years old at the time. The sheriff was waiting for her when she got there, but told her it WAS up to the parent as to what age to leave them at home alone. He was just there to make sure there wasn't any other issue going on, which there wasn't. She called DSS and was told the same thing. If the ex was so worried about it, he should have ponied up the money for the daycare in my opinion. My mom left us home alone all day, I was the oldest of 3, was probably no older than 10 and was responsible for the younger two. We were at the end of a cul-de-sac, with plenty of neighbors and SAHM's though.
Very good discussion. One suggestion to parents about allowing children to open the door to who they THINK are LEO's, Fire/EMS, etc., especially the younger they are. Unless the house is on fire, or something like that, tell them it is OK to call 911 and have the 911 operator verify there is indeed someone outside their door who the child should let in, especially at night when there may not be a patrol car in sight, etc. Some patrol cars may be unmarked and the officer in plain clothes, etc. LEO policies are to check out ANY 911 call, hangups included. - - - - - - - - Here's the statutes concerning juvenile neglect: § 14-316.1. Contributing to delinquency and neglect by parents and others. Any person who is at least 16 years old who knowingly or willfully causes, encourages, or aids any juvenile within the jurisdiction of the court to be in a place or condition, or to commit an act whereby the juvenile could be adjudicated delinquent, undisciplined, abused, or neglected as defined by G.S. 7B-101 and G.S. 7B-1501 shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. It is not necessary for the district court exercising juvenile jurisdiction to make an adjudication that any juvenile is delinquent, undisciplined, abused, or neglected in order to prosecute a parent or any person, including an employee of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention under this section. An adjudication that a juvenile is delinquent, undisciplined, abused, or neglected shall not preclude a subsequent prosecution of a parent or any other person including an employee of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, who contributes to the delinquent, undisciplined, abused, or neglected condition of any juvenile. (1919, c. 97, s. 19; C.S., s. 5057; 1959, c. 1284; 1969, c. 911, s. 4; 1971, c. 1180, s. 5; 1979, c. 692; 1983, c. 175, ss. 8, 10; c. 720, s. 4; 1993, c. 539, s. 219; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1998-202, s. 4(b); 2000-137, s. 4.(c).) 7B-101. Definitions. As used in this Subchapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following words have the listed meanings: (15) Neglected juvenile. – A juvenile who does not receive proper care, supervision, or discipline from the juvenile's parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker; or who has been abandoned; or who is not provided necessary medical care; or who is not provided necessary remedial care; or who lives in an environment injurious to the juvenile's welfare; or who has been placed for care or adoption in violation of law. In determining whether a juvenile is a neglected juvenile, it is relevant whether that juvenile lives in a home where another juvenile has died as a result of suspected abuse or neglect or lives in a home where another juvenile has been subjected to abuse or neglect by an adult who regularly lives in the home. - - - - - - Main point is that an LEO or DSS, or a DA will look at the TOTAL circumstances surrounding any case involving this sort of case, or any case, for that matter. Kind of goes back to the "reasonable person" theory. What would a reasonable person conclude given the facts of a particular situation should the authorities be involved.
I have an 11 year old who is way beyond her years in maturity. Do I trust her to stay home alone? Absolutely. Do I trust the rest of this crazy world? Heck no. Look, I'm pretty young, and I was getting off the bus by myself, and staying home for 2-3 hours alone from the time I was in 1st grade. I was 6. It was a different time then. People are crazy, they do bad things. I had this same dilemma last year, and I found a SAHM who wanted to make a few extra bucks a week, and paid her to let my kid hang out at her house till we got home. The peace of mind was worth it. That's my opinion.
Latch Key Kids Parents should be deciding appropriate age for their kids to be at home. Too much government, people!
