Kids staying home by them selves?

Depends on level of maturity and the length of time she'll be home alone. I know that each state has it's own laws on the appropriate age, but generally if you're not neglecting the child and the child is responsible enough, the cops aren't too concerned.

I don't consider my son super mature, but I started letting him at age 9 stay about an hour alone while I ran errands. I would never leave him alone at night.

Then at 10, I would let him stay home alone on days off from school (only a day at a time - if it were a longer vacation, I would have a child care place take him so he weren't so bored alone - plus, I only worked less than 10 minutes away so I could run home pretty quickly if he needed me). There were some problems (like the day he called the cops because I was in a meeting and couldn't answer my phone immediately - he was hungry and didn't want anything that was in the house - the cops just called me and didn't even wait for my phone call back or wait at the house), but he's gotten better. At that time, I was still uncomfortable leaving him alone for any length of time at night though.

At 11 (his current age), he can stay home alone more than one day, but he knows my phone numbers (work and cell) and he knows what he can or can't do (like call the cops for non-emergencies - I had to define "emergencies" and made sure he completely understood). Now, I feel comfortable going out a couple of hours at night and leaving him alone.

Where I live the legal age is 12 but I think it depends on the child. I personally think 10 is a little young. It depends on how long and often she would be home alone. I started letting my child stay home after school ( only 45 minutes) when he was a few months away from 12. We sat him down with some strict rules- no cooking, no TV- just homework, no answering the door or phone if he does not know the person etc. We told him that if he does something wrong he will go back to the babysitter. He loves staying home and he feels all grown up and everything but I think sometimes he gets nervous and just does not want to admit it.

Your daughter might not be as excited once it starts happening. Right now she just thinks that it makes her more grown up. Don't rush her.

in Michigan it would be legal... Child Protective Services says if the child is old enough to dial 9-1-1 and has an emergency plan it's o.k. AT ANY AGE...

i personally disagree... when my ex-husband has our children he leaves them alone 9 & 7 and the kids will call me at night and fake sick so i will "bring medicine" because there Dad is not home. i'll get there with all of the stuff (orange juice, meds, kleenex... WHATEVER) just to find out they just wanted a parent because they were scared. THEN i leave them alone but have them talk to me on my cell phone while i set up the street in a church parking lot where i can see their father's driveway. i feel comfortable to leave when he returns. Before I come off as a stalker... I live in a different town than him and i don't want to get all of the way home and have the kids have another "emergency"...

call your local Protective Services office and just ask your question to them... you don't have to give your name.

Its funny to me that this is such an issue now a days. I was a latch key kid @ 6. I'd be home for maybe 1 to 3 hours by myself. Stayed home during my summer breaks to care for my infant brothers @ 8 til I started working when I was 15. Not to mention I was baby sitting other peoples kids @ the age of 10. Even then I took care of brothers during the day when not working. But it does depend on the level of maturity of the child.

10 or 11 is about right, but it depends on how mature they are. Start with only short trips to the store or something no more than 30 minutes or so. We have rules when we go out: Do not open the door if the bell rings and do not answer the phone unless you hear who is leaving a message. Use your best judgment, obviously.

Ten is the age that most councilors suggest... but she must be mature enough to do this. I wouldn't leave her for any longer than like 30 minutes at a time. Make sure that she has access to emergency phone numbers, she should never tell someone that she is home alone while answering the phone. She should NEVER answer the door! And I would suggest that you make sure she knows she is to stay in the house.

I started leaving my 10 year old for 10-15 minutes while I ran to the mailbox down the street but that was about it. Now at 12, I would leave her alone for no more then 2 hours.

I actually must agree with the other that have answered already with a slight exception. I do think she is too young but if you really want to don't be away for more than 20-30 minutes. Let her see you trust her but don't be gone for longer than that. Over time slowly increase but never leave her for more than an hour till she is at least 12.

first thing is to find out the law in Ur state.... U don't want Ur neighbor reporting U... I wouldn't allow my 10 year old daughter to come home from school and be alone.... someone may be washing her and could force themselves in while she is coming in the house..... my daughter ask me the same question.... and that's what I told her.... 10 is too young....

i say if you feel she is ready let her do it. I was home alone for an hour and a half a day starting when i was in 2nd grade. i would say not for long periods of time, but as long as she has a phone to call someone in am emergency, and maybe tell a neighbor so they can keep an eye on things.