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For many parents, summer has officially arrived. This means the kids are out of school and home for the next few months. They are super excited. No more testing and grading for them, at least not until September. Unfortunately for us grown-ups, life continues on as usual. That means many parents have to continue working their normal 9 to 5 jobs. This can pose a serious concern for many parents. What do they do with their kids during the work week?
Some parents opt for sending their children to a summer camp, others cannot afford that option. Many parents either take time off of work, or settle for leaving their children home alone. This raises the question of when is a child considered old enough to be left home alone? Is there a legal limit, and if so, what are the consequences for leaving too young of a child home alone?
Some states set laws that tell parents their child must be of a certain age in order for them to be home alone. California, on the other hand, leaves it up to the discretion of the parent to decide if their child is mature and ready enough.
Leaving a child home alone for the first time can make any parent nervous, even if the child is old enough to take care of themselves. California urges parents to consider their child’s maturity level, not just their age, when deciding if it is okay to leave them at home without an adult around. For example, a 10 year old may show considerable maturity for their age while a 12 year old is still a bit of a trouble-maker. Perhaps in this case, the 12 year old is not mature enough to be left home alone, but the 10 year old is.
To prepare for the “big day” of leaving a child alone at home, parents ought to first discuss this with the child: do they feel ready to be left alone at home? If they are ready, then additional precautions need to be laid out, such as what to do in case of an emergency, leaving contact phone numbers, setting rules like do not answer the door, do not use the stove or oven. Parents will also want to notify trusted family, friends, and neighbors in case they are needed during an emergency, or the child feels uncomfortable. Before leaving a child alone for an extended period of time, the parent should do a “trial run” by leaving them home alone while they make a quick trip to the store.
When the time is right, a child and parent will agree when they are both ready to be apart with the child home alone.
It is important to note that leaving a child home alone is very different to leaving a child alone in a car. This is especially true during the summer months. Car interiors heat up quickly. Leaving your child in the car for just a few minutes to grab something from the store can be dangerous. Within moments, the heat inside can become damaging for children. This is why it is actually illegal in California to leave a child alone in a hot car. Doing so can result in endangerment and cruelty charges being filed against you.