When was the first time your parents left you home alone?
If you were a latchkey kid, it might have been earlier than most of your friends. I was 10 when my parents handed me a key and a list of every important number for them and our neighbors.
But would you let your own child stay home alone at 10? What about 11? Is there an appropriate age, or do you go based on the child's personality?
A short video made by Parent Channel TV addresses the times that it is safe to leave your child home, along with community opinions on whether or not it's a good idea.
Leaving your child alone can give them a sense of independence, but you need to make sure they are comfortable with the idea. If they are wary from the start, instead of helping them become independent, you might create unnecessary anxiety.
There is no legal age that says it is OK to leave your child at home, though the common age seems to be 11 to 12. However, it's not advised to leave your 12-year-old in charge of younger children, as it can cause resentment between siblings.
Instead, if you're not sure you want to leave them alone just yet, you can higher a sitter over the age of 16. In the U.K., teens over 16 are seen as legally responsible for the child. If someone hires a sitter that is younger than that, then they are still legally responsible for their child.
The video below has many suggestions for learning when is the right time to let your child be home alone. What age do you think is best for your own child?
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