At What Age Does a Kid Not Need a Sitter?

Considerations

• Many factors should be considered when working out if your child is old enough to be left home without a sitter. Only when you have taken everything into account should you make a decision; this is not something to be rushed into. Establish whether your child is capable of making good decisions and handling an emergency in a sensible, appropriate manner. Is he aware of and likely to follow house rules? Is he familiar with safety guidelines and able to use a phone and cell phone? Additionally, if your child is mature for his age and likely to make good use of his time, you should be able to leave him home alone.

Concerns

• It's natural for parents to have concerns when they leave their child home alone for the first time. Even if your child appears to be trustworthy and sensible, there is always the potential for things to go wrong when he is left without supervision. Peer pressure is a huge issue: if friends know your child is home alone, they may turn up uninvited, and your child may feel obliged to let them into the house. Call your child at a pre-arranged time the first few times she is left home alone, just to make sure everything is all right. Make sure she understands not to open the door to anybody she does not know, and not to give out any personal information over the phone.

Biological Age vs. Emotional Maturity

• According to the National Child Care Information Center, children age 7 or younger should never be left home alone. Children between the ages of 8 and 10 can be left alone for very short periods, and older children can be left for longer periods. Your child's emotional maturity and level of common sense are important factors. A 10-year-old child may be more mature and sensible than another 12-year-old child.

Process

• It's a good idea to talk to your child about being left home without a sitter before you go through with it. He is likely to be excited but may also have some concerns of his own. If your child expresses any signs of fear or reluctance, put the plans on hold until he is a little older. If he is happy to be left alone, go through all the necessary safety information. Make sure he knows what to do in the event of an injury, a fire and a blackout. Write all rules and important information down on paper, and make sure he has all your contact numbers. The first time you leave your child home alone, keep it short. Start with short periods away from the home and gradually increase the time if all parties are comfortable with it.