Children Alone At Home: From What Age?
Giving your child the autonomy of leaving them at home alone could make you very nervous . There will always be risks involved, but there are a few things you can do to minimize them.
We know that children grow up and become more and more independent from the fact that you are with them every moment. So the question remains: from what age can a child stay home alone ?
In some countries there are regulations that punish parents if they leave their child unattended – depending on the age of the little ones. The law obliges parents to find an adult to look after and supervise the minors.
We live in a society that is both independent and exposed to external factors. As a mother, you may be afraid – justified or not.
Even so , your child will get older and will not always be by your side. This article gives you an overview of the right age to leave your child at home alone.
The right perspective
As your child gets older, they will ask for more independence. Obviously, it has to be prepared to handle this responsibility.
The first time you leave it at home alone, it won’t be easy. You must have a lot of courage. Resist the urge to form a pessimistic idea about what might happen.
Leaving your child at home alone can be seen as part of their upbringing. It will help him to take on bigger responsibilities.
Of course, this moment will not come suddenly and unexpectedly. Preparing for this will play an important role in how your child will adapt to the new situation.
The fact that your child wants to be more independent doesn’t mean they will be risk-free. So you are not required to leave your child at home alone.
Recognize the right time
If you’ve already made the decision, think about when the time is right. Also, there doesn’t have to be a reason for leaving your child at home alone.
You can also do a rehearsal, for a short period of time, as a training for when you want to leave your child at home alone.
Some claim that the best age to do this is between 8 and 12 years old, and that kids need to experience what it’s like when you’re not around. But how will you know when they’re ready for it?
Prepare your child to be home alone
Every child is different and no one will know when the right time is better than yourself. Do not let yourself be influenced by what other parents do.
It’s also important that you don’t burden yourself with imagining every possible situation.
With the following considerations in mind, you can decide whether your child is the right age. You can also decide if they have the necessary sense of responsibility to deal with your absence.
Ask yourself:
- Does your child know your address and phone numbers by heart?
- Does it take responsibility in the household?
- Does your child know how to react if someone rings or knocks at the front door? What if someone calls?
- Is your child appropriately cautious when meeting strangers?
- Does your child know who they can go to near your house if something should happen?
- Do they know where your first aid kit is and how to use it?
The answers to these questions will help you decide if your child is mature enough to be home alone for a while.
And in an emergency?
You shouldn’t ignore the possibility that an emergency might arise. But if you make the necessary preparations in advance, your child will be more able to deal with an emergency successfully.
Of course, it is impossible to prepare for every conceivable situation. But you can still simulate some situations in daily conversations with your child.
Make them react by asking what they’d do in each case. Make sure you don’t overwhelm her when you do this.
The right reasons
You should have good reasons for leaving your child at home alone.
Remember that age alone shouldn’t be the deciding factor in whether or not you can leave your child at home alone. There will always be other factors to consider. Also consider your child’s temperament and character.
The best recommendation is that you always talk openly and honestly with your child about how to react in certain unfamiliar situations.
It will also be helpful to talk to your child about the importance of safety and caution. The aim is not to arouse fear and concern, but to make your child aware of dangers.
This will allow your child to mature and gradually take on more and more responsibility in their life. It will help him achieve independence.
So the answer to whether or not a child can be home alone depends on each individual case and the circumstances of each individual family.
In any case, parents are always responsible for making the right decision.
