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04-11-2008 at 1:40 PM
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Poll: Kids Staying Home Alone

I think my older brother was 13 and I was 11 when we starting coming home from school to an empty house... he would get home from school first (he got out 1/2 our earlier than I) and we would be home alone until my parents got home from work.

We were at that age too where my parents would go out to go Bowling in a Lg every Friday night and they would leave us home alone... we werent aloud out and couldnt have friends over, but the two of us were there.
What about you?
What age would you leave your kids home alone?
 
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04-11-2008 at 1:42 PM
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I was a latch key kid.  My mom moved out when I was 11 and dad worked till 5 or 6.  So I was alone everyday at a young age.

I'll leave Ava alone when she is 23 - lol! 


 
04-11-2008 at 1:46 PM
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I wasn't left home alone till I was 12 and I wasn't left to mind my brother who's 7 years younger than me till I was 16. That was all w/my mom and stepdad. 

My Dad and stepmom however felt comfortable enough leaving me to watch my sisters when they were first born when I was 11 and 13. 

Funny how each parent was so radically different...guess that's part of the reason they got divorced :-P

~Corinn
Lilypie 1st Birthday Ticker


 
04-11-2008 at 1:54 PM
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I was really young...like 9 or 10.  my mom's best friend lives in our neighborhood...so if there was an emergency we could call her.  but we were on our own every day after school. 
04-11-2008 at 2:00 PM
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I was like 9 and was left alone with a infant at 12.

seriously.
04-11-2008 at 2:11 PM
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I honestly don't remember much about my homelife as a kid...

As for letting them be home, that will depend a lot on the kid.  I started babysitting at 12, and never tested the rules in general.  My brother was also a generally good, if angry, kid.  We never drank/did drugs/smoked or had friends over when we weren't supposed to.

Other kids, though....different story.

We're ready for the sunshine! 
04-11-2008 at 2:22 PM
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I was 9 as well. My mom would work and I would come home and wait for her. We lived in a two family house where the landlord and his wife lived upstairs so I could always get them if I needed. My little (half)sister was born when I was 13 and I've watched both her and my brother (born when I was 15) since they were born.
04-11-2008 at 4:42 PM
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I stayed home alone at age 9. My parents were divorced and my mom had to work. It wasn't ideal, but it worked.

 

I can't imagine leaving a child that young home alone these days, though. Maybe at 11 or 12....but it also depends on the child.


Lisa & Erik * 8-5-05



Lilypie 1st Birthday Ticker
Born on 3-25-08



Whoa...dude! 
04-11-2008 at 5:59 PM
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I can't quite remember when my parents starting leaving us home alone, but I'm pretty sure my older sister was at least 13 and I was 11 or 12.  There were 3 of us, and my older sister tended to be quite the tight-a$$, so I'm sure my parents figured she'd keep us in line.

I'm sure I won't want to leave my kids alone until they're 18!!!

Lilypie Expecting a baby Ticker 
04-11-2008 at 6:02 PM
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I forgot to add...

One of my direct reports at work has a 19 year old son...When she first started working for me (almost 4 years ago) she called in sick because her son was home sick from school.  I assumed that her son must be in elementary school or something...It never occured to me that someone would stay home with their 15 year old son...



Lilypie Expecting a baby Ticker 

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