Is Your Child Ready to Stay Home Alone?
How can you help prepare them, and what are the signs they are ready?
Over 25 years of providing Red Cross first aid, babysitting, and home-alone classes, parents and caregivers have asked me many questions about leaving their children at home alone. This complex and contentious issue involves many considerations. I aim to provide valuable guidance based on recommendations from the Canadian Red Cross and my experience.
Parents and caregivers are right to take the issue seriously. Parenting is a grey area, as we all know. There are many cases where parents have been accused of neglecting their children by leaving them home alone. Some cases are more clear-cut than others.
In April 2024 in Houston, a 29-year-old mother was arrested and charged with child abandonment when she left her six and eight-year-old alone at home while she left the country to go on a cruise.
In another case an Iowa state supreme court ruled that a mother did not commit the crime of child endangerment when she left five children ages 5 to 12 home alone while she shopped for groceries at Walmart with her baby. The court argued,
“No parent can shield a child from all risks and no evidence shows that leaving the kids home was any riskier than driving them to Walmart.”
Below are some of the most common concerns I’ve encountered about children at home alone. This article also highlights the benefits to children and their caregivers and provides practical suggestions on preparing children for this big step.
What could go wrong when a child is home alone?
When thinking about whether your child is ready to stay home by themselves, consider how they would handle the following situations:
They start choking on a snack
There is a power outage
They cut themselves and are bleeding
The stove catches fire
Someone keeps ringing the doorbell or knocking at the door
A pipe bursts in the house
As with many situations in life, a good rule of thumb is, “If you are in doubt, don’t.” If you’re unsure whether your child can handle the above, take the necessary steps to prepare them. These include discussion, role play, Home Alone training, babysitting or first aid courses.
The most common question parents ask on this topic is,
What is the minimum age for leaving children home alone?
The law varies between and within countries. Parents often wonder why, in many areas, there is no explicit minimum age for children to be allowed to stay at home alone or babysit. Not all children mature at the same speed, and age is only one of the factors to consider when assessing a child’s readiness.
Individual differences in temperament, capacity, maturity, access to emergency services, and willingness are also things to consider. For example, a fourteen-year-old may be keen to stay home alone; however, challenges like visual impairment or mobility issues may make it risky.
Check your local community’s child protection services for guidelines or laws regarding the suggested minimum age to leave a child home alone. Caregivers should never force a child to stay home alone if they are not ready. The safety and well-being of the child should always be the top priority.
How can I tell if my child is ready to stay home alone?
Every child matures differently, but some signs indicate your child is ready to stay home unsupervised for short periods. These signs will help parents and guardians gauge their child’s readiness.
The child:
is at least ten years old.
follows family rules and instructions.
knows their full name, phone number, address, and main street intersections.
knows the number for Emergency Medical Services and understands when to contact them.
feels confident to stay home alone.
doesn’t panic when the unexpected arises.
knows basic first aid and the location of the first aid kit.
knows how to lock the door and keep the key safe.
knows how to contact a trusted adult in an emergency.
What about Home Alone courses?
Completing a Home Alone course will help youths develop a sense of accomplishment while equipping them with many essential safety skills and preparing them for independence.
Online courses are practical and convenient. Self-guided, self-paced Home-Alone tutorials help increase a child’s confidence through educational games, stories, video scenarios, and colourful graphics and images. These courses teach youth valuable life skills and provide peace of mind for parents and caregivers.
Safety courses do not guarantee a child will feel comfortable alone at home. A considerate parent or caregiver will assess the child’s abilities and discuss the idea with them before and after the training.
What topics do Home Alone courses cover?
All courses vary, but you can expect to find topics such as those listed below:
Street smarts and road safety
People safety
Internet safety
Home safety
Fire safety
Accident prevention
First Aid skills
Does completing a Home Alone course mean my child is qualified to stay home alone or babysit?
The training can boost your child’s confidence in staying home alone. However, it’s important to remember that no one understands your child’s maturity level better than you, the parent or guardian. Allowing a child to stay home alone or babysit should always be a family decision. Children planning to babysit should also undergo additional babysitting training.
What are the benefits of online, self-directed, home-alone, safety, and first aid classes for children aged 9+?
There are many benefits, including:
Self-sufficiency: These classes can teach children to be independent and look after themselves.
Safety skills: Children can learn essential safety skills, such as handling emergencies and giving first aid.
Independence: Children develop a sense of autonomy and responsibility.
Confidence: Children become more confident about handling difficult situations with increased knowledge and understanding of safety topics.
Fun: Children enjoy the games, interactive activities and mini quizzes in the courses.
Convenience: Children can do online, self-directed classes at a convenient time for the child and their family.
Accessibility: Online courses can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection, which makes them convenient for those who can’t access in-person classes in their area.
Start slowly
The first time you leave your child at home alone, make it short. Start by leaving them for a few minutes while you walk around the block, and ask them how they feel when you return. If they feel confident, try leaving them alone for an hour while you go grocery shopping. Introducing your child to independence gradually is vital in building their confidence and your peace of mind.
When you and your child feel confident they can be left alone safely, you will have opened up possibilities for you both. The next step for your child might be to take a babysitting course and start earning some pocket money. For you, it may mean you can take that class you’ve been wanting to do or have a few hours to have lunch out with a friend. It’s a win-win for both you and your child.
Learn more about Home Alone online training.