7yr boy, 6y boy, 5yr old boy, 4 yr old girl, left home with 13 and 12 yr old girls between 10pm and 2am is ok?

Im going to say it's okay. I personally don't feel it's okay but in most states there are now strict laws about how old children can be left at home alone.

I have a friend who leaves her 13 year old home all of the time alone at all hours of the day and night with her 3 younger siblings. My friend is going through a nasty divorce and her husband threw a fit and reported it and child protective services approved of it. It really depends on your state laws and the maturity of the children.

You can check with your state's Department of Social Services to see if your state has a minimum age for leaving children unsupervised. You are likely to find that there is no specific age, although the common recommendation is that children under twelve be provided with appropriate supervision while their parents are away from home. There may also be a suggestion that an older sibling, even if old enough to be left at home alone, is not necessarily an appropriate babysitter for younger siblings.

I don't think ok for your ex-wife to be doing. Those 3 boys could get into some trouble around the house together and the 12 and 13 year old won't know what to do.

Yes, you can call CPS or the local police when you know they are alone and report it anonymously. What she is doing is not okay.

If you have a court agreement, not just some BS you two cooked up on the side, you can go to court and let the judge know she is not following the order of the court.

It is your parental duty to take care of your children's best interests. If she is leaving your children in the care of other children, you can report it to CPS and you should report it. It has to end. A twelve and thirteen year old are not emotional mature enough or physically strong enough to get your children and the others out of the house if their is a fire. Or if someone breaks in. Look online and research just how quickly a home can burn down.

She is not only breaking the law, she is placing all of the children in harm's way. Sleeping or not.

And what are you going to do if the 12 or 13 year old takes an interest in on line activity and meets up with a predator who takes all of the kids for his own sick needs? Say 'oops. shoulda made that call?' Or when they act like some teens and invite others over who use drugs and or alcohol and your children OD. Or are abused?

There are too many things that can happen to allow this to continue even one more night.

And you don't have to call CPS or the police anonymously. You can just call and tell them that you believe your ex has left your children in the care of minors aged 12 and 13 and want them to go and check on their welfare and if the kids are alone with a child in charge of them, you would like to be able to get your children and take them home.

Then you can have your attorney get an emergency hearing and you can file for custody. In the meanwhile you can request that custody remain with you. Then you can properly care for them.

In a lot of jurisdictions, here in the U.S. it appears that 13 YOA IS the minimal accepted age for a babysitter. (In the U.K. I think that it is 14 YOA) But the number of children and the late hours seems like a lot to ask of any 12 or 13 year-old child, especially if they themselves have school the next day!

But, check with your heart local Child Protective Services to see what their feeling is about the matter. There may be some action they could take, including a home visit while the younger children are in the care of the 12 and 13 year-olds, to see exactly what is going on.

Good Luck

EDIT: White Devil's answer, above, is dead on!

A 12 year old and 13 year old should not be left in charge of 4 young children. Most judges would see this as neglect. Teach your children how to use the phone and tell them to call you the next time it happens. Go pick up your kids and document it. Talk to your ex and let her know its not appropriate. You can also call the police and have them document it. Make sure your kids are safe. Talk to your attorney and to the judge. Make sure you document every situation. Good documentation wins cases. Good luck and keep those babies safe.

No way, you don't need someone to tell you that this is not Ok?Because it is not. Talk to her and let her know that she should hire a babysitter who is at least 18 years old when they are not home during these late hours. If she refuses then you know who to talk too. You have to think of the children safety first before anything else before you see your kids taken away from the 3 of you. Good luck

I doubt it. 13 years old should be old enough to handle a few kids. Fourteen is the general beginning age for babysitters. I am sure they allow some leniance since it is a sibling or step sibling. It also depends how often, and what they are doing when they go out. Do they go out to get drunk all the time? If they are always drinking, you might be able to say it is a form of negligence.

Contact your local Red Cross or Child Welfare Agency to find out what specific babysitting requirements apply to your area. Red Cross offers babysitting classes, so they will know all the laws for your state.

No its not ok...She should grow up and be at home during those hours looking after the kids..or give them to you.

12 and 13 years old should not be doing it they should not be given that responsibility....I would confront her and let her know she either sorts something out or you will report her...call the police or welfare

No this is not okay. A 12-13 year old needs a babysitter as well.

It is not OK and it is also ilegal. What are you waiting for call the police before one of those children get hurt. One of the crimes that I know off for sure is Negligent Endangerment of a Child.