topic Re: How old? in Among Friends

How old?

Patriot3 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:08:59 GMT

How old does a child need to be before leaving them alone for a week or so? I know it probably depends on the child and the level of responsibility, but generally.

Re: How old?

lulu2 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:12:51 GMT

I would never leave any child home alone for a week or more.

A college age young adult would be the minimum, but I would not want him/her alone the entire time.

Re: How old?

mac116 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:15:46 GMT

I have 2 grandsons, ages are 17 and 16. They are not left even overnight by themselves. I think there are too many fears for their parents, and temptations for the boys. They stay with us when their parents travel or are gone overnight.

We left our college aged son (19? 20?) alone for a week when we were on a trip. Checked in everyday, and asked the next door neighbors to keep an eye on the comings and goings at the house. Everything was totally fine.

Re: How old?

DiAnne — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:23:13 GMT

Young lady across the street was first left alone overnight or over the week end when she was 16. If they go away on vacation for a week or more they take their son and daughter with them.

Re: How old?

phoenixbrd — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:25:09 GMT

a "child" should never be left alone for a week.

Re: How old?

dex — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:25:45 GMT

Alone for a week is a long time...probably 18.I would have to make sure that they were responsible enough even at that age.Funny that I was married at 19 and thought I was very grown up.

Re: How old?

hckynut — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:27:29 GMT

I have no children. Have my own experiences and opinions however. If a parent has to ask? That child is too young, which is only the opinion of this happy, and childless, old man.

hckynut(john)

Re: How old?

qualitygal — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:28:15 GMT

I'm sure there's legal statuates, but the other thing is how mature and responsible the child is.

Re: How old?

Carmie — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:28:29 GMT

@Patriot3 wrote:
How old does a child need to be before leaving them alone for a week or so? I know it probably depends on the child and the level of responsibility, but generally.

I left my kids at home for two weeks during the summer months when they were 20, 15 and 14. My older sister came over to stay with them after she got off from work and she spent the night at my house.

She worked during the day, so the two youngest ones were home alone off and on during the day time,

I was a nervous wreck and called often to check on them. I was in Hawaii, and knowing I couldn't be there quickly if something happened added to my stress.

When my youngest was 18 and had graduated from HS, I felt comfortable leaving them home alone, but I still called daily.

Re: How old?

Desertdi — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:30:21 GMT

I was scared out of my wits to stay home alone.......because my parents and grandparents told awful tales of peeping toms, kidnappers, the "man with the hook"...........rabid wolves......etc. Then I moved out on my own, and forgot about all the "fairy tales"........

Re: How old?

Carmie — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:35:31 GMT

@dex wrote:
Alone for a week is a long time...probably 18.I would have to make sure that they were responsible enough even at that age.Funny that I was married at 19 and thought I was very grown up.

I got married when I was 19 too, and I was very grown up compared to most kids I know today including my own. I had a lot of responsibility at a very young age.

Re: How old?

RedTop — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 18:06:51 GMT

My answer is, a junior or senior in high school.

Re: How old?

151949 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 18:08:23 GMT

Many kids leave home at 17 or 18 to go off to college or move out on their own once they have gotten a job. I have a couple friends who got married right out of high school, my cousin eloped on her & her husband's high school graduation night. Now they have been married 52 years and are great grandparents.

Re: How old?

Sunnyfield — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 18:09:39 GMT

i was left home alone when I was 16 for about a week (had a summer job) - I am now 70 so this was some time ago.

I think it totally depends on the child and how long the parents will be gone...obviously overnight is different from an entire week.

Re: How old?

gracie2014 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 18:11:06 GMT

Depends on the maturity of the children, like John I have no children...but do have younger siblings! My parents went away on vacation...she must have been 17/18 years old decided to throw a party and invite the entire 10th grade class..there were kegs of beer flowing..cars all up and down the street..my parents came home to a house smelling like a brewery.. But then again...it could have been an immature 20 year old.

Re: How old?

151949 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 18:17:36 GMT

@gracie2014 wrote:
Depends on the maturity of the children, like John I have no children...but do have younger siblings! My parents went away on vacation...she must have been 17/18 years old decided to throw a party and invite the entire 10th grade class..there were kegs of beer flowing..cars all up and down the street..my parents came home to a house smelling like a brewery.. But then again...it could have been an immature 20 year old.

She was 17 - 18 and only in 10th grade? How would they have gotten kegs of beer?

Re: How old?

chrystaltree — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 18:21:40 GMT

40... But seriously, I did not leave my girls alone in the house until they were college age. And I don't think I ever did it then. I'm pretty sure if hubby took a vacation during their college years, they were either away at school or we went on a family vacation. I'd never in million years leave teens on their own.

Re: How old?

gracie2014 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 18:28:24 GMT

Very easy, supplied by the older brothers and sisters of her friends...had pot everything going..people in the bedrooms..she quickly lost control of the situation..tiny little town..the two vops had better things to do...its funny because now some of those attendees run the town/assemblymen..others are cops in the town. This was the early to mid seventies..believe alcohol could be purchased by 18 year olds..Forget when it was changed to 21. This small a little town was in Connecticut.

Re: How old?

gracie2014 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 18:29:33 GMT

@151949 No more like 16/17..its been a while.

Re: How old?

Patriot3 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 18:32:44 GMT

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am the grandma of this 15 yo child (just turned 15 and a Freshman, only child) and the parents are gone for a week. An Uncle is staying at night. No school tomorrow, but Uncle has day off M & T.

Child was alone yesterday, had athletics last night, alone today until more athletics tonight. Child will be alone after school until Uncle gets home about 8:30.

I think child is too young and have tried to tell parents, but no go. Whenever they are planning, I ask what about______? They say oh, we'll figure something out. That should be their first concern. Child is a very good kid, but i wonder what it is doing to the stability and feeling of security and caring.

They do this a couple times a year. They should be home w/this child. Good heavens, they will have plenty of time to go when child is a few yrs older.

Thanks for listening to this old Grandma.......I'm almost 80 and anxiety gets the better of me! I pray a lot

@Patriot3 wrote:
How old does a child need to be before leaving them alone for a week or so? I know it probably depends on the child and the level of responsibility, but generally.