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What is the appropriate age, in your opinion, to allow a child to stay home alone? During the day? Overnight? Maturity plays a role, but do you think age matters?

Yes i think age matters..i have 2 boys my oldest is 17..so yes on him..i have a 9 year old and do not ever leave him alone..not even to go to the neibors..and if i did..i would be put in Jail for even one moment of leaving him...

Hi dana, i left my daughter alone at home from about 14yrs daytime, over night she was 17yrs and that was only one night

You would be jailed for leaving him to go to the neighbors? That isn't the case here.

But how old was your oldest when you let him stay home alone?

Really????

Yes becos you cannot leave ur child alone until 12 years...and no i didnt leave my 17 year old alone..I was always home with my children...

Yes the cops told me myself..at that age anything can happen with their wondering minds...even for a second....

while my kids were growing up, I'd wrap their sandwiches in road maps, them move while they were at school. But they kept finding me

Girls I would say with maturity girls around 16.....boys around 34

Oh dear and i have 2 boys

Age matters to a certain extent, but maturity is the most vital thing. For example, you could have a 15 year old that was extremely immature, and a 13 year old that was mature in every way. Day time and overnight are 2 different things as well. I wouldn't leave a child overnight to fend for themselves until they were way old enough. So many different things could happen, things that they hadn't come across before. Plus, it's not worth leaving your child home alone all night, you wouldn't get any peace in your head, worrying too much...

Emily has stayed home alone while I've run errands for a few hours, and she is certainly mature enough for that, but now she wants to stay home alone next Sat night, when I'm gone.

I'm leaving Sat morning and coming back Sunday evening. A friend will be with her during the day, but instead of staying with my neighbor - who will be home the whole time - Em wants to stay alone. We do have 3 big dogs, and Jayne is just across the street. She's a mature kid, and Jayne thinks she is old enough and mature enough. However...

I need advise!!

That's very true, about me worrying. I don't have any doubt that she can take care of herself. Honestly, I worry that she'll get scared! She loves to stay home with just her and the dogs. But overnight is another matter.

Thats about what I thought!!

I agree...I would have all my haired pulled out worrying..

Excellent plan! She's reads a map really well!

I'm 47 and I still don't like staying home alone, but it sounds as though she'll do just fine.

Thank you, Don. She is quite mature and can take care of herself, I'm not worried about that. She's begging me to let her. Of course, the deal is if I do let her, that if I change my mind at any time, she has to go to Jaynes!

but see, you just don't know what could happen. A stranger at the door whose car broke down, or whatever weirdos say to get kids to trust them EVEN though they have been taught not to. It happens every day. There's no way on earth I'd allow her to stay alone in the house overnight. Just too many variables. It's good that she is mature, but think about it Dana, she might just boot the computer up on Saturday night and read my posts... you wouldn't want that now, would you????

It's wonderful that she is mature, but really honey, for this world, she is just a pup. Good luck whatever you decide.