Modern rules for staying at home alone.
My kids aren’t old enough to stay home alone yet but with each passing day they get a little closer. My son is turning eight in a few weeks, and I can’t help but realize how soon he is going to ask to stay home instead of running errands with mom.
Scroll down for a free printable.
When that day comes, I think these rules are very important. I plan to keep these printed and pasted right on the fridge so they will not be forgotten.
10 Rules For Staying Home Alone
- Keep all doors locked at all times.
- Do not answer the door for anyone.
- Make sure phone always stays above 50% battery life.
- In an emergency, always call 9-1-1 first.
- No posting on social media that you are home alone.
- No using the stove.
- You MUST answer the phone when mom or dad calls.
- Check in with parent via phone call every half hour.
- No playing outside.
- No guests.
When should your kids stay home alone?
Most assessments say between the ages of 13-15. Kids should be able to do several things before staying home:
- Understand properly how to call 9-1-1 and what is in fact an emergency.
- Be trustworthy to follow the rules.
- Be able to get their own drink and snack without climbing on counters.
- Won’t be scared or nervous.
Click Here To Print – click, print and hang for kids to see.
Make your own! Click here to grab the digital file you can edit on Canva to add your own rules and your family name!
At the end of the day, its is the parents choice as long as you don’t live in a state with particular laws.
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Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
Júlia B. says
I think this is way overprotecting. Checking in every half hour?! Well, I can’t imagine anyone in Europe requiring this from a teen.
Bella Mater says
Or anywhere… every 30 minutes is excessive.. as is staying indoors. If I trust you to be in the house alone, I trust you to be in the garden alone, too…
Bella Mater says
I want to add that by 13, my parents expected me to have started the potatoes or made rice for dinner before they got home.
Stacy says
Every 30 minutes is excessive! I’m very paranoid when my kids are alone at home but I wouldn’t expect them to check in every half hour. I would say once every 2-2.5 hours would be acceptable.
Franzi says
I think it makes a huge difference here where you live. We live in Germany in a village and I totally trust my 8-year-old to stay home alone while go grocery shopping or on short errands. He also goes to his friends in the village on his own, as does my 7-year-old daughter. They both know how to call for emergency.
But if I lived in the city, maybe also in other countries (I’m sure the US is mich less safe) I’d never do that. I think it’s important to keep that in mind when reading the post and commenting.
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