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avatarArden
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What is an appropriate age to start leaving a child home alone for short periods of time?

I have an 8 year old who doesn't always want to run over to the mill (3 miles from our house), or the gas station (1 mile from our house), or the mechanic's (2 miles from home) with us.

He's an "only" and pretty mature for his age, but I hesitate to leave him, even with a cell phone. Not because of him, but because I don't really know when is a good age to start showing that level of trust.

Question applies to ages: 8

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avatarAnonymous I remember when I was 10, my mom hired a babysitter for my two younger brothers and myself. She came home to find the babysitter on the phone and me making dinner for all of us. She never hired another babysitter. Of course that was over 20 years ago and times have changed.

My husband and I leave my 10-year-old home for short periods of time if he's cranky about coming with us, but we live in a very small town with very close and trustworthy neighbors. I think that it really depends on your situation and how strictly you follow the law. Most states say that to legally leave a child home alone, he should be no younger than 12.

I say that this should be more dependent on maturity than age. My son knows what to do in case of an emergency situation. He knows not to answer the door when he is home alone, or answer the phone if he doesn't recognize the number on caller id. He isn't scared to be home by himself and he has never abused our trust. I think these things are more important than age.

That is just my opinion though, I would like to suggest that you check with your local law-enforcement agency for more specifics.
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