This question has most likely crossed many parents’ minds as kids reach a certain age, and the thought of dragging them to the grocery store against their will is reason enough to leave them home alone while you quickly run out. This is also especially true over the summer when kids are off school with less rigid schedules — and working parents often find themselves in a bind for childcare.
For my family, we first left our oldest son home alone when he was around 10. I honestly don’t remember the exact age, but I do remember we grabbed dinner nearby and treated it as a test: Could he be left alone without burning the house down? The good news is he didn’t burn the house down. However, we strictly prohibited using the oven or stove if we were not home. I’m all for kids learning to cook and preparing their meals, just not without proper supervision until they are truly old enough to know how to do so carefully.
I also remember the time he was probably another year or two older and had a friend over while we went to dinner with their parents. We thought, at least they would be together and could keep each other company, versus being home alone. The good news is they didn’t burn the house down. But they did get into mischief that we later heard about from our neighbors. That was the end of having friends over while we were not home.
Fast forward to the present day, we just started leaving our younger son home with our 14-year-old. While they do bicker while we are gone, we feel pretty comfortable for short periods of time. The worry now is more around will the teenager pay enough attention to him, or just let him play on the screen the entire time?
Regardless of what parents think the right age is to leave their kids home alone, what does the law say? Turns out Florida doesn’t have clear laws that specify the exact age when children are allowed to stay home alone. The Florida Department of Children and Families and SAFE Kids Worldwide say children under the age of 12 should not be left alone. And child welfare advocates say kids should not be taking care of siblings younger than 15. The American Academy of Pediatrics says it’s fine to leave 12-year-old kids home alone for a few hours a day, while children ages 8 or 9 should only be left alone for 30 minutes every once in a while. While there’s no specific age for legal consequences, parents could face charges for child neglect or endangerment if a child is left alone and their safety is compromised.
Now you know what is advised, and the decision is ultimately the parents’. Factors like a child’s maturity, ability to handle emergencies, and overall comfort level should be considered alongside the age guideline. If you so choose, here are a few things you can do to prepare for that moment:
- Leave a list of key contacts on the refrigerator.
- Make sure your child knows how to dial 911 in an emergency.
- Have a first aid kit accessible.
- Practice using kitchen appliances if they are allowed to use them in your absence.
- Show them emergency supplies like fire extinguishers.
- Make an emergency exit plan.
- Tell the neighbors when you’ll be gone so they can be on the lookout and help in an emergency.
Sound off in the comments with your thoughts!
