| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 5:16:18 AM | >>when we babysat 30 years ago... we didn't have children plucked out of thier homes in the middle of the night,
It still is damned rare. News media hype every single instance of it happening, because it is high drama and draws readers/viewers.
So people get a skewed idea of how often it really happens.
If you believe the news media, every such child victim is also an attractive white girl...
So black parents and parents of ugly kids, relax!! (tongue firmly in cheek here) | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 5:40:48 AM | ^^^ are you kidding me??....I supose Global Warming is a big hoax too??
try looking at a missing child bulletin board for once.....ONE FACE IS TOO MANY!!!! | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 5:51:16 AM | No, I'm dead serious. Studies have been done on this. People think things are reported in the news in proportion to how often they really happen...and the news business doesn't work that way.
I'm not saying these news reports are made up... I'm saying things that sell newspapers get reported, things that don't, not so much.
The fact of the matter is, more child abduction is committed by the parent that didn't get custody or some other family member (family abductions) than by strangers.
But that doesn't make good headlines. So, people think that most abductions are committed by strangers.
I'll bet you thought that, no?
If you want the real facts, go here: www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/nismart/03/ns5.html
You will see that there is no evidence that child abductions have increased in the last 30 years, as someone else on this thread implied; in fact, there is some evidence to the contrary. (edit: the info in the link I gave is only for 1988-1999, but it shows a possible decrease, and certainly no increase) | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 6:24:47 AM | This is a question i pondered over for some time ,so i decided to ask the police...they didnt have a clue,i asked Docs,they didnt have a clue...Finally after persistance i found out that there is no set age limit(in NSW).There r,however,certain factors to consider,legally,which to me is a grey area.There is no age limit (even for a babysitter),but they must know how to dial 000,they must know what to do in an emergancy,also depends on how long the child/children r left for.Basically it depends on the responsibility of the parents or guardian.This is fine,but what if something did go wrong? that even an adult would have trouble handling...is this where the grey area comes in? and the parent ends up being judged?
Its strange considering the legal age for a child to be left unattended in a parked car is 16!
Too many grey areas to b fixed ,because nobody really knows the law!! | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 6:31:49 AM | Or read this, from the CBC:
"...A final criticism is that cases of child abduction classified as "very serious" by U.S. police appear to be on the decline, and that the Amber system is a lot of infrastructure for little return. However, the FBI warns that different jurisdictions have different reporting policies and, since the numbers are so similar from year to year, no trend can be inferred. But public perception, due to an abundance of media reports about individual cases and publicity over recent successes of the Amber system, has been that child abductions are widespread and frequent."
www.cbc.ca/news/background/missingchildren/amberalert.html
So you see, I am most certainly not kidding. | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 9:31:08 AM | I'll bet you thought that, no?
Actually I did know that, I have done the research as well. And your site is bogus, why are you using that to prove your point. And what makes you think that is the god of all statistical web site, there are hundreds of different sites, and all will say different. It said it's self that there are 200 - 300 nofamily abductions annually. Is that not enough children to make it worthy of your concern??? I bet their parents would think so!!
It doesn't matter if there are 10 children or 1000 children abducted a year....one is too many and the statistics only show the actual abductions, there are far more "attempted" on a daily basis. Even in my small little noname town, where the front page news is the biggest pot hole in town, there are attempted abductions all the time (my friend works as 911 dispatch and has told me the horror stories). There is crime against children all the time, 1 out of every 3 girls are sexually assulted by the time they are 13 years of age. There is human trafficing going on as we speak to MILLIONS of children (who by the way ARE ABDUCTED) right in your back yard most likely. And most of the victims of these things are children that are wondering around alone, and not being watched or neglected. Even some right out of their own house, but why make the odds easier for these sick criminals by leaving your child alone like pray. All these things that go on, and people just turn their back to them and think it can't happen to them, and feel fine about leaving their children ALONE..... it's their lives, it's not your risk to take!!!!!! | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 9:42:18 AM | I do a lot of research, and I know how to find reliable sources on the net. The first site I gave was a government site evaluating the primary research. It was reliable. You can't just call anything you don't like "bogus".
My post was in response to the person who said it is a more dangerous world in terms of child abduction than it used to be--and used this to justify the current more restrictive laws about babysitting--when the evidence is otherwise.
You clearly have an axe to grind, I don't know what it is and I don't really care. If you can sweepingly dismiss research conducted by the federal government as "bogus" without saying what was wrong with the research, then there is no point debating with you.
BTW, your SN really doesn't describe you very well. | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 10:04:29 AM | | I was saying your site was bogus, because you claim that abductions are "RARE" and that site clearly states that it is not. The only axe I have to grind is the ignorance of people to think it is safe for children to be left alone for such long periods of time at such a young age. The world is more dangerous and no site can prove otherwise, it's common knowledge. I apologize for sounding harsh, I just get really worked up when it comes to childrens safety and in this case Lack there of!!! As if abduction wasn't bad enough, there's still everyday things like, fires, robberies, chokings, accidents (bodily harm) that kids can get into all the time.... it's just not worth the risk. What on earth would a parent do if something like that should happen and their child was hurt or worse killed???? how would they feel the rest of their lives knowing "if only I had of been there". It's simply not worth it, and it's sick to think people don't see that. | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 10:33:56 AM | I think we get your postion by now, as well as how you feel about other parents who have differing views than yours. Enough already - not everyone agrees with your opinion either, and many parents I'm sure have taken great offence to your put-downs and insults in support of your purported argument, but they are not ramming it down the throats of others. I'm sure you'll want the last word though, although since you have already expressed your views perhaps you'll take that deep breath you spoke of earlier and let others post their own thoughts on the subject at hand, without you attacking them personally.
It is not sick that people don't agree with you, and it does not make people ignorant, or irresponsible parents, or any of the other insulting terms you have thrown at those who disagree with you. What happened to teaching our children to respect the views of others, even if we disagree with them? And teaching our children what to do in bad situations that could happen anywhere anytime? We can't be with our children 24 hours a day, and by not teaching them what to do does them a disservice. If the world is as dangerous as you seem to think it is, then I for one am glad my child is at home than anywhere else.
Please - respond if you must, but can you lay off the personal attacks against parents whose opinion does not mirror yours? At least have that courtesy to the good single parents who come to this forum for information and questions. | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 11:14:24 AM | well I have only been replying to post directed at me thanks....I see you have several yourself.
I am not pointing fingers or calling "anybody" names. I am stating my "view" as in general. Don't be ridiculous, that's like saying ..... Child Abuse is wrong, but everyones intitled to their views. It's not a view, it's a fact. I do feel it's totally irresponsible, and ignorant, and if someone takes offence then I have to wonder why, most likely because they are the parent in question. And if they are then I'm glad, cause they need to give their head a shake. It's fine to teach your kids what to do in emergencies, I didn't say not to educate them, of course you would, and of course you want them to learn to be independant......WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT!!!!!! I didn't say it was sick to not agree with me. Just keep twisting and twisting if you want, I said it was sick to take a risk with your childs safety/life. BIG DIFFERENCE!!!
Anyways, your right, my position is clear so I will end it here. Please nobody address me anymore because apparently I am not allowed to respond.
Ciao. | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 11:18:02 AM | We can't be with our children all the time and sadly we can't protect them from everything. It's easy to become overly protective (especially soon after depressing media reports) but we really don't have the right to withhold them from developing their independence.
It's a fine line we walk when some children need to be gently pushed out of the nest while others need their strollers reigned in. | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 11:36:16 AM | wow....the gov't telling me how and when MY child is ready to handle themselves.
My view is that it's wrong and irresponsible parenting to leave your child home alone and expect them to come home to an empty house and take care of THEMSELVES...that's what parents are for last time I checked.
I have to disagree. It is a parents job to guide their childs learning as to be a responsible and well meaning person. This absolutely means that children need to learn to do for THEMSELVES. If more young people were taught self reliability and self responsibility then many of the problems would not exist. | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 12:11:31 PM | ^^You go, Jazz, I agree.
The government should butt out of families lives unless their is abuse or negligence going on.
And I don't think putting a 10 year old in a car without a baby seat is negligence! Or allowing a 12 year old to babysit...that's not negligence either. My mom babysat at 12. | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 12:34:04 PM | On average, 89 people a year in the US are killed by lightning. In a country of nearly 300 million, that's pretty close to the number of nonfamily child abductions a year (200-300).
By downtoearthgirl's logic--any law that saves one child is worth it--we should make it illegal to let children go outside during storms.
In fact, let's call it negligence, and put moms who let their children out in the rain in prison... | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 1:26:03 PM | The government should butt out of families lives unless their is abuse or negligence going on.
Agreed! This 'throw them in jail for this and for that' attitude just confuses parents and makes them paranoid.
Most parents try to do right by their children but it seems now they always have to second-guess their own better judgement.
Next thing we know there'll be guidelines on the thickness of their blankets and we'll need to check the 'dressing them for the weather' temperature charts. | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 1:53:36 PM | Ohio has not set age for leaving a child home alone.
I believe it is wise in most cases to NOT leave kids alone.
If the child is at least 12, and shows a good maturity level, then
I would say it is okay. However, when you are talking about
leaving more than one 12 yr old home alone, then they can
get into lots of trouble. | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 5:27:32 PM | It all depends on the child. My dd is 12 going on 21 (lol) and she can babysit inside and outside of the home. I started letting her stay home at 10 yrs old for an hour at a time. Then she had to build trust from there. My ds on the other hand who is 11 i cant leave home for more then an hour becuase he just isnt able to handle it. So really it is up to the parent and the child. There is no set age.
But i can tell you this in out area the age for up to 2 hours at home with the home alone progam is 8 yrs old. I think that this age is way toooo young even for the most muture childern. | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 5:40:58 PM | The "guidelines" are there for a reason.
So is the law.
Unless it's illegal to do so........go by what you feel is necessary for your child.
You know them best, and you would know if they are ready to be left alone at 10, 11, 12 years of age.
I know that I could be left alone when I was about 10-11ish..my brother couldnt be left alone until he was at least 14.
So it vaires by child, I guess.
I read those guidelines that someone posted.....a babysitter at 13 years of age?
Damn....
I was in highschool then, and left home alone after school until my parents got home from work...mind you, my brother and sister were there too, but...
I couldnt of imagined having a babysitter at 13..I would of been the laughing stock of the school! 
Anyhoo, as long as its not illegal, and you feel your child can handle it, then go nuts.
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 6:04:47 PM | I don't know what types of neighborhoods some of you grew up in,
but it sounds to me like maybe you still leave your doors unlocked at
night? 
Street smarts come into play when you are considering leaving
your children home alone.
Also to be considered are the crime rates where you live.
I would not leave my kids alone, I love them too much, and
there is nothing so important that I have to run out and leave
them alone. God forbid anything bad should happen to any child!  | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 6:25:59 PM | ^^^^^^ YEPPERS^^^^^^^^^
I don't know what types of neighborhoods some of you grew up in,
but it sounds to me like maybe you still leave your doors unlocked at
night?
Yep, "GREW UP IN"....and "STILL LIVE IN" In fact the side door to the porch doesn't even have a lock, and right as I am typing I think that a car , several trucks, and a backhoe have keys in them..
In my defense I am 1/2 hour from a traffic light, two zip codes away.
Oh yea the post..
All depends on the maturity and where you live I believe NE said.. So true.
By the time my boys where 10 they were driving trucks, backhoes, using chainsaws, wood stoves, cook stove, operating sawmill, log spliter. That's the norm in my zip code.
Can't remember leaving them alone til they were 10-12 for a couple hours after the bus dropped them off...why.. Well that was when I thought they would be okay.
NOW GET THIS.. At 10 and 12 I decided it was time so I called the local police. Couldn't believe the answer, so I called again and then again a week later to get 3 different officers.
Legally in Maryland 8..Yes 8. To babysit 13.
I started asking neighbors.. Remember where I live you can count on being gone for nearly an hour to go somewhere. Most where shocked and I think 9 was the youngest ONE person said. Most said like 12.
So again I'd say the maturity, where you live, and where you are going and how long. If I lived in a area like a city or somewhere my kid could get an adult several 100 feet away I might have asked younger, but even with 2 very mature well thinking boys that got along GREAT and never into anyting .....................
Just the nature of where I live it didn't cross my mind until they were 10 and 12.
B
D
J | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 8:04:29 PM |
I would not leave my kids alone, I love them too much, and
there is nothing so important that I have to run out and leave
them alone. God forbid anything bad should happen to any child!
Most parents leave their child alone when they believe that they've prepared them for it and the child is mature enough to handle it. I don't think they love their children any less than anyone else or that they don't care as much if anything bad happens to them.
Responsible parents use judgement based on each child and the circumstances. Just like dating, bedtime and when they can go out at night... all depends on the child.
I don't want anything bad to happen to my children but I do want them to experience the independence they crave and to learn responsibility... also because I love them. | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/11/2006 10:42:11 PM | Well my son is 13 and is taking a babysitting coarse to care for babies as young as 1yr old.
This will also give him cpr training. So I am assuming here in Canada, if they are able to baby-sit, then they too can sit for them self's. I also had a assessment done to find out if has logic, common sense and reasoning for his age to know what his fears will be to know how long, or when to leave him alone. Even though he passed to be left alone, I still will have a sitter there to keep him company. It brings me comfort to be able to enjoy my evening out with peace of mind. He is okay to be left alone during the day, but I have my neighbour drop in every few hrs to make sure he's okay. It's worth the money, as a few time's stuff did happen that he did'nt know how to handle, like a broken toilet gushing water, wind that smashed the front window, TV that kept turning on and off spooking him.. never found out why that happened LOL.. He always knows where I am to call me, and I call him, even with a sitter (which I say is just company or he will say he's big enough to be alone LOL). | |
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*Em*
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Joined: 6/29/2005
Msg: 48 | |
| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/12/2006 3:48:10 AM | my eldest is 13 and is often home from 11am-4/5pm on a saturday only. in that time 9 times out of ten she has her mate with her and they come and go as they please (providing she calls me and tells me where she's going and when she's home).
once a week perhaps, i will leave my 5 yr old OR 8 yr old with her for an hour tops. i will not leave her with the 5 yr old 8 yr old and 2 yr old (at the same time) as i feel its way too much reponsibility for a CHILD her age. if she is left with one of them, myself, her father and her nan are within reach via the mobile and i have a few friends in close proximity that she can go to should she get worried.
i would never leave her alone in the evenings as there are too many dangers and its far too much of a worry to myself and her. maybe at 15/16 i would feel able to leave her for the evening.
they are children for a reason-let them stay that way for as long as possible. | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/12/2006 5:40:02 AM | Like these people are saying. There is no set age it all depends on the child. I was 11-12 years old when my mother left me alone for a couple hours at a time. But good luck on making the right choice. Have a blessed day!   | |
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| How old is old enough to stay at home alone?
Posted: 10/12/2006 7:15:26 AM | Here in Northwestern Ontario (Canada), an eleven year old may babysit a SIBLING who is less than two years younger for a reasonable amount of time (before or after school for an hour or two or something similar) but cannot babysit any child who is not a sibling less than two years younger -- so no 10 years babysitting an infant here. A 12 year old may babysit for anyone but is advised to take the babysitting course. The course is available to any child after their 11th birthday. My kids are 11 and a half and 9 and a half years old (21 months apart) and I will leave them for up to a half hour while I run to the store or pay bills but there is also a one hundred pound dog in attendance to keep them safe.
It's not the child abductors that you really need to worry about (it is rare for a child to be abducted by SOMEONE OTHER THAN A NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT OR GRANDPARENT), it's the neighbourhood bullies, your kids' friends, and perhaps even your kids (if they are not quite mature enough or trustworthy enough to be left alone) that you should be concerned with. As several posters have stated, each child is an individual and a judgement call is left to the parents within the guidelines of the law. | |
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