I guess it depends on the child. I know I was doing all the stuff way earlier than 11, but that had a lot to do with having no choice in the matter. It depends on how mature the child is, but I think with having no choice in doing it, she will grow up a little bit.

Quoting Michele Ann:“ At what age would you leave your child alone, before school? Feed themselves, get themselves ready, get ... [snip!] ... y/o is ready? She has a sitter, but mom wants to save that cash, which she can afford. Honest opinions and or links welcome.”

Well, I feel as though its what you are comfortable with. I know the law here states that as long as they can unlock/lock the door and stay inside without causing trouble it is LEGALLY okay to leave them alone. No age specific details in that. Um.... As long as they are running the streets nothing LEGALLY can be done. As I said, its basically how you feel. 11 is an okay age I'd say.

I have a neighbor that let's his ten year old stay at home with his 12 year old brother and I think that they are too young to be staying at home alone. Now I know that we live on a military base but it is just not right. I was not allowed to stay at home alone until I was 14 years old and even then I hated being by myself because of the neighborhood I lived in. I think that it is a little irresponsible to be leaving an 11 year old at home to get ready for school. If the momma has the money to have someone there with her to help her get ready then I say pay someone. JMO though.

It not only has to do with the child being responsible enough or not, but also the law. I know here in the state of CA, you can't leave a child at home unattended until they are 14.

If, as you say, the child isn't responsible enough and the mom cannot be persuaded to change her mind, you can look into the law (most gov. websites have that kind of info.) and present her with the info and you can even make it sound like you are just looking out for the mom's best interest to keep her out of trouble. Because, God forbid, what if something were to happen when her daughter was alone? Not only would she have to deal with that, but she could be charged with reckless endangerment.

And another point.... How in the heck can a child protect themselves at home if there was an intruder...? I have heard so many stories of how burglaries happen in the mornings, after seeing the car leave for the day... just too scary to really think about.

Quoting Michele Ann:“ At what age would you leave your child alone, before school? Feed themselves, get themselves ready, get ... [snip!] ... y/o is ready? She has a sitter, but mom wants to save that cash, which she can afford. Honest opinions and or links welcome.”

I can't answer that. I'd have to base that upon how mature my child was, and right now at 19 months he's not mature enough, heh.

I don't feel qualified to answer that for any other children than my own.

C.

My biggest concern with giving my son more responsbility was that he was the only one. I think if there is another sibling involved, that changes everything. So it all depends on how mature she is and how much she is willing to handle.

I did all that at 9. Plus got up, got my baby sister dressed and walked her to my nana's. And then when I got home from school, I babysat her.... So yeah, the only way to know if she's mature enough to handle it, is to try it out.

I was a latchkey kid from about nine on. I dont suggest leaving them alone all the time though. Kids like that get into trouble. Trust me.

You know, now and days both parents work and they work long hours. I was left home alone at 8 years old because both of my parents had to work hard for what little we had. I think society forces those who don't have the means to have a stay at home mom/dad or a nanny to leave their children unwatched for a few hours a day.
Do I think it's a good idea; no, I wouldn't leave a teen by them self but I will be in your same shoes one day and I will most likely have to leave my 11-12 year old at home by them selves for a short period of time.

Quoting --[[britneylyn]]--:“ I did all that at 9. Plus got up, got my baby sister dressed and walked her to my nana's. And then when ... [snip!] ... I got home from school, I babysat her.... So yeah, the only way to know if she's mature enough to handle it, is to try it out.”

I did pretty much the same thing as you. I had to do some major growing up waaaay too early due to other family issues... I had to get watch my little sis and little bro starting at nine as well.

What was once okay and safe for us, just isn't anymore. Wether we like it or not, times have changed. Just like when our parents were kids and moved into being parents with us as their kids. Times changed then too.

My husband & I talk about this kind of stuff all the time (the difference in times and what his childhoodand my childhood were like) since he is almost 12 yrs older than I am. The differences in parenting and issues like this were so vast, yes, even with only a 12 yr diff.

I just think in this day and age with all the evils there are out there in the world wanting to hurt our children, 11 or 12 is still too young to be left alone on a regular basis. It's one thing if it was for a 10 minute run to the convenience store, but for longer lengths of time and on a regular basis is unacceptable, especially if it is affordable to have a caregiver there. I mean, I have a 12 1/2 yr old and there is no way I would leave her alone or let her watch her younger siblings on an everyday regular basis. She (like most her age) is not mature enough, nor is she strong enough to protect them. She is just a child herself.

depends on the child. at 11 i was doing all that and then some.

by the time i was 7 i helped take care of my sisters. at 4 i helped my mother take care of my brother with his feeding tube. so i've always been ahead with independence but it all depends. if she can do it let her.

I don't agree with it at all. This little girl is sooo, immature(being nice). She's never had much of a mommy figure. Her mother is a 'have to' parent. Doesn't guide her at all, admittedly. SO it doesn't surprise me she's doing it.

I just started lettingmy daughter play outside w/o me being right there with her. I watch her through the window. She's 8. If she leaves my sight,she has to come in. I don't see me or her daddy letting her do all that shit at 11,responsisble or not.