How old does your kid have to be to be home alone?

jamesglewisf · 10-18-2003, 02:58 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/19/ny...19MOTH.html?hp

Quote:

Last Sunday, as her night shift neared, Kim Brathwaite faced a hard choice. Her baby sitter had not shown up, and to miss work might end her new position as assistant manager at a McDonald's in downtown Brooklyn. So she left her two children, 9 and 1, alone, trying to stay in touch by phone.

It turned out to be a disastrous decision. Someone, it seems, deliberately set fire to her apartment. Her children died. And within hours, Ms. Brathwaite was under arrest, charged with recklessly endangering her children.

The investigation is continuing, and an arrest in the arson may soon overshadow the criminal charges against Ms. Brathwaite, who is not a suspect in the fire, investigators say. But she is now facing up to 16 years in prison for a decision that, surveys and interviews with experts suggest, cuts uncomfortably close to some choices made every day by American families.

Nationwide, parents themselves report leaving more than 3 million children under 13 — some as young as 5 — to care for themselves for at least a few hours a week on a regular basis, according to a recent study by Child Trends, a nonprofit research organization in Washington, D.C., that analyzed census information and other data.

Nine and one seem a bit obvious, but how old does a kid need to be to be able to stay home alone? I know it can vary by kid, but in general, what do you think?

What do you think of parents being brought up on charges when something goes wrong?

kezzer · 10-20-2003, 11:19 PM

I think 12 - 13 is a proper age, of course depending on the child's maturity. I think parents should be held responsible if their children are under that age if anything happens.

Lisa · 10-30-2003, 12:35 AM

I agree, about 13 or so. My step-son has been left "in charge" of his sibblings (two years younger and 5 years younger) since he was 7. Their mother has her "things" to do and "the kids just have to learn to be alone sometimes."

We strongly disagree with BM on that one.

Some states say 12 or 13 years old, but most states say it's up to the discretion of the parent.

This poor mother will suffer every day for the rest of her life. Putting her in prison won't solve anything. Poor woman.

Lisa

10-20-2003, 11:19 PM	#2
kezzer WaffyDaffy Moderatoroo Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: CT Posts: 2,134	I think 12 - 13 is a proper age, of course depending on the child's maturity. I think parents should be held responsible if their children are under that age if anything happens. __________________ My children are the reason for everything. The reason everything is broken, dirty, and out of place!

10-30-2003, 12:35 AM	#3
Lisa Snappydoodle Charteroo Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Washington Posts: 399	I agree, about 13 or so. My step-son has been left "in charge" of his sibblings (two years younger and 5 years younger) since he was 7. Their mother has her "things" to do and "the kids just have to learn to be alone sometimes." We strongly disagree with BM on that one. Some states say 12 or 13 years old, but most states say it's up to the discretion of the parent. This poor mother will suffer every day for the rest of her life. Putting her in prison won't solve anything. Poor woman. Lisa __________________ A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22